Gatehouse School, E2

[AlisonY]

Hi everyone

Just been reading some very old posts (2007) about Gatehouse and just wondered whether anyone had any more recent views? DS is due to start there in September and we really like the "old fashioned" nature of the discipline and structure. And I can assure you I'm no authoritarian but DS does like structure and to be stretched.

Any recent experiences anyone of Gatehouse?

Many thanks, a

My LO is due to start this September as well, in the nursery. Recently I have spoken to a few mums who send their children there and the feedback is good. I think the main issue I worry about is homework - apprently there is rather a lot of it and while I am keen for my LO to be stretched I really want her to enjoy her early years and not feel pressured. Other than that I can't wait for her to start!

I have experience there. It is fine as a school but I wouldn't waste your money as the primary schools are all good in Tower hamlets, go and visit some. Talk to parents who send their children to the state schools and you'll find they are happy too. And they are not spending £8k a year.
It's stiflingly mono-cultural too.

Sorry - I put too much in that post then had to do the school run.

We took our son out in Year 5 and I stopped recommending the school to people years ago.

My daughter came out in year 3 to go to a local (state) school.

I didn't regret it and she was happy at the new school very quickly.

Ah, whatatip, I might know you - a few children in my son's old class left in Year 3 to go to a local school. I've changed my name for this thread! You will be able to guess who I am or can ask around your playground to find out who else has left that class.

My son's at another not-so-local independent school and loving it. Definitely the right choice, wish we had made it sooner but hey ho.

Just a note about the Upper Juniors: most/all children (all that I've known) in the past couple of years have gotten outside tutors in Year 6 to prepare for the independent school exams, so that's an expense to consider if you need to plan. It's definitely not a place where the older children are stretched academically. I know people who have left because of bullying problems as well.

Lower Juniors gets glowing reviews though! :)

No you don't know me, I have been deliberately vague about timings so our children are different ages, and there are certainly no other ex-Gatehouse pupils at our school!

Very interesting what you say about the pupils paying for extra tuition, I didn't know that. That would be gutting.

On a positive note about Gatehouse, I did get the impression that at year 3 the level of maths was good, (but that was only really based on my daughter so who knows, it may just say something about her and not about the school). On the sports front, too, I liked the inter-house sports competitions at a lower level. And I got the impression that the inter-school sports competitions further up the school were good too, actually the PE in general was good compared to our current school.

We know a family who send their two daughters to the gatehouse. They are happy with it and the children really enjoy going to school. However the elder daughter who is 7 is very behind with her reading, and after talking to her mum, it is apparent the school is doing no extra reading with her at all. They are already paying for her to have some extra help outside school, despite having to pay school fees.

hi, so are there any primary state schools you would recommend? I have registered my son with Gatehouse but they are full and waiting list is very long...

Whereabouts are you? There are some good primaries and some really terrible ones in tower hamlets, if you're lucky enough to get in to a good one and you can do the extra activities Gatehouse provides outside of school you may as well go for it. I think there are new catchment areas this year.

We are very happy with the Lower juniors in Gatehouse and there is not much homework so far. I can tell already the school is not stretching my child academically but it is a happy and friendly environment, which I think is also important.

I am intrigued to find this post. With experience as a mum of the Gatehouse, I am relieved to hear, although I obviously don't want it to be the case, that other parents don't think their children are being stretched academically and have decided to take their DC out. I am wondering if any of you are willing to share why you have removed them from the school? TIA

My view is that my child's teacher is not experienced enough to know when a child can be pushed more and when a child is bored. However, they are very nurturing and I couldn't say whether the failure is typical of the whole school, we only have experience of lower juniors so far.

I am planning to move my child within the next 2/3 years because I think she will suit a more academic environment. Gatehouse talks a lot about academic success but I don't believe for one second that if they have any, it is anything to do with the teaching there. It is a lovely, friendly school though.

Thanks for the helpful posts. For those seeking a more academically challenging environment, where do you recommend or where are you at least considering?

My Foster Dad worked at the school until recently.

Not sure about the educational aspect, but the staff get treated awfully.

He loved the children, parents and teachers but the senior management were basically bully's who made my FD's life awful.

I wouldn't send my daughter there even f they paid me.

Hmm, well, I must agree that I wouldn't recommend the school. And it definitely seems true that the headteacher doesn't care about anyone so long as the school makes money.

Hello there
As a mum of 2 girls aged 10 and 14 who have both been educated at Gatehouse School I was interested to read the mainly negative reviews about the school. Something that parents seem to forget is that Gatehouse is a NON-SELECTIVE school. If you want your child to be stretched to their academic limit then you need to send them to a school where they have to pass an entrance exam to attend. Yes, lots of kids are tutored in year 6, either by professional tutors or by their parents, but so are most kids in other private schools (and I know many!) because the competition to get your child into the secondary school of your choice, whether independent, grammar or state is so fierce. Sad but true. Gatehouse have instilled my children with confidence, respect for themselves and others along with a real love of learning. The art and music departments are also fantastic. I knew my money had been well spent when my eldest daughter said on her last day at the school, "I wish I was 4 years old, so I could come to Gatehouse all over again". No school is perfect and Gatehouse is not for everyone, but the key is not to have unrealistic expectations, both of the school and of your child.

Eastendmum01 - Could you please let me know a few schools that you think are good independant schools that can encourage the child to push boundaries when needed? I know this is a very old post but I am in the process of getting my son registered to a few independant schools and I live in East London as well. Thus looking for some advise here. Any help would be very appreciated!

Hi, anyone has recent feedback about gatehouse school in E2. Much appreciated.

My kids went to Gatehouse over 20 years ago. It was a lovely school then and I am sure it still is now.