Swan School Oxford

[RossBos]

Can anyone share their personal experience with Swan School,Oxford?I am aware of the vegetarian menu and strict discipline,but I would like to know about the school environment, teachers and other areas?What are the sizes of the classes?We are not exactly catchment area ,and I am worried it may be oversubscribed as Cherwell school.We are looking at joining at Y9,which would be in-year transfer and more trickier.
Thank you so much.

@RossBos
i think this school was looked at on another thread a few months ago. Maybe on Secondary boards? Possibly under a heading about strict schools? Some posters knew this school quire well I think. Y9 transfers are down to spaces, not catchment. If they have a space, they must offer. If they don’t, no one gets in.

Read this:

www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/21381949.revealed-oxfordshire-school-excludes-pupils-often/

wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole!

@Phewthatwasclose
I agree. Super strict doesn’t suit all DC! Strict usually means getting rid of DC who don’t fit in. Some of course love no chatter. Children who like a bit of chat and are capable of learning just need a normal school.

Also the excuses given are woeful! The primary school exclusions are staggering. Having been a governor of two primary schools, I cannot imagine an exclusion rate of neatly 20% per 100 children. I have rarely seen a child excluded for even 1 day at a primary school.

The rate of permanent exclusions is shocking. There is also surely a big ? over why parents thought their DC would thrive in these schools.

The school addressed the exclusion article and they have a reason as to why this is the case. The school is new and needs to establish its standards, so it’s taking a strict approach towards that. If you hear how some of the kids behave then you’d be in favour of a strict approach. It may not suit everyone’s tastes but I, as a parent at the school, fully agree.

The impression I have of the school is that it is good. There’s a good attitude from the teachers and learning is really emphasised.

I have some issues unrelated to learning which I want to take up, like some of the content included in their RSE curriculum (which seems inappropriate for young children) and their lack of diversity in championing diversity. However, I’m pleased with it overall.

@Abmaj
The school no doubt has its reasons! However it’s shocking to exclude this number of pupils. It’s inevitably against the legal framework governing exclusions but they get away with it. Truly appalling.

No. I’m not in favour of a strict approach and Oxford children are no worse than children elsewhere! You are truly kidding yourself if you believe that. 1:5 children should not be excluded. You need to read up on exclusion law!

as a student at this school,,, i Do not recommend this school. this school has made my mental health go south. due to the strict environment. They call the school a family.It is not. it is hell i hate it. Going to this school is also very expensive They make u pay for VEGETARIAN lunches that i guarantee ur child will not eat. if u decided to bring pack lunch u will get An after school detention. it is clear the school just wants money . as it’s financial rate is low. The teachers are incredibly rude not all but 95% of them are absolutely horrible people. They seem to just hate their job and reflect it onto the students. Adding on our head teacher Miss Kay Wood🤓 Is the worst peridot ever. when u come and visit the school she will seem all lovely and nice. But coming from a student she’s the devil incarnated. I think one day she randomly decided to open a school that causes depression. anyway Sorry for the long text but ⚠️ IF U WANT UR CHILD TO GROW UP WITH MEMORIES OF HATING SCHOOL AND DEPRESSION DO NOT COME HERE⚠️

The above is a very subjective view. My daughter attends the school and I can assure you she has enjoyed her first year there. No school is without problems or things to complain about but there’s really no need to go over the top with it.

@User1073 Try and speak to your parents about leaving. This school is not for everyone.

@Abmaj This person obviously feels strongly. What’s more important is what happens next for them. Obviously compliant DC will be happy. Those with a bit of spark probably not. My own DC would never have coped. They were well behaved but had opinions.

I have 4 children and 3 of them are at this school. 2 of them have had over 300 detentions for minor infractions. I used to blame my kids for the detentions and respect the school's decisions until I actually started looking into the detentions. 10 of the detentions were wrong and was due to mistaken identity so imagine the rest. The detentions are given for not having equipment, not speaking during line up or transition to lessons, eating outside of the canteen, all of these are in their behaviour policy and are called expectation detentions but I have had incidents where other detentions are being given out and disguised as expectation detentions. One instance is when a teacher left their tea in the corridor and my daughter split it. She got a detention for that!. Why was the teachers Tea in the corridor???

On top of this, Reflections are also given - where students have to sit in a room by themselves with a teacher - This could be for half a day or a full day.
I am all for strictness but the amount of detentions my children have received has lead to one of them being severely depressed and now thinks the teachers are targeting her. This is abuse!!

I have been to several meeting with the school and the teachers all lie and back each other up and never admit fault even when presented with Evidence. They are all power hungry and are not there to teach but to govern.

This is just a small portion of the story but I thought I should just mention and warn people against sending your children to this school. Some Children thrive but some do not. Right now I will not be sending my last child to this school for fear of what I personally have experienced with this school

@GuiltriddenMom Altbougb this is an old thread, you make an interesting point about being power hungry. Schools are seeking to recruit teachers who have pursued this way of controlling DC. They do see it as aiding their careers.The Michaela head has a lot to answer for and shame on the linings who follow her!

I would have hated this atmosphere for my dc. They worked hard, were intelligent, but liked an appropriate chat. I get no food outside dining hall but when I was at school, snacks were allowed at break. We had a tuck shop and you ate your snack outside! It’s all about rules and control and I can see why dc are unhappy. Do you have any other options?

@TizerorFizz Thanks for your response. I don't ever remember school being like this. I have tried to transfer one of my children but it was refused. Apparently the schools were full, so unfortunately my kids have to stay there until I can find a solution.

@GuiltriddenMom I went to a grammar not far from Oxford and we thought we had rules we didn’t like but nothing like these new prison style schools. It’s a huge shame their secondary school years are marred like this. I’m never sure blind obedience is a good thing either. Ok for trench warfare but we’ve gone beyond that. It’s also a huge waste of energy and my DC learnt how to chat and get along with other dc. They actually went to a boarding school but it was pleasant but firm when necessary. I think that’s really what most people want. Not being forced into this type of system with no alternative. . My DD1 is now a barrister. Always advocated for herself and others. Schools like the Swan would have killed her!

@TizerorFizz Congrats and good on her! I pray my daughter's don't break under this system. It's a shame because they won't have a great secondary school experience and will always equate it with trauma. I dread to think what she thinks of Adults in authority especially when they blatantly lie or try and cover up their mistakes by gas lighting. I, as a mother have experienced this first hand from the teachers in this school and it has not been a pleasant experience.

@GuiltriddenMom Most dc I’ve met really dislike people who lie. Adults or dc. It was something dd didn’t like when she came across it. Fortunately at school it wasn’t often. Do any schools have space in Oxford?