Phil and Jim's Primary School - Early years question

[Charley2023]

Would really appreciate anyone sharing their experience with this school in the last few years? I heard great things but mostly from people who have now graduated and went to this school at least 10 years ago. I am interested to hear how is their EYFS, any experience with the current teachers. I was looking to find their bio and experience, how long they have been working there but very little is available online.The last Ofsted was in 2018, so 5 years ago.

They have an open day on Friday, why don’t you visit?

Phil and Jim Oxford? I believe there has been a lot of staff turnover since the current head took up her post. She's known for being quite... marmite.

It was great in 1982 when I left 😁

Thanks! Marmite as in love it or hate it? :)

Thanks for offering a visit, I have been to school. I am more looking for personal experiences and opinions.

DC has just completed EYFS at Phil and Jim. We've been very happy. Excellent teaching, lovely student group, other parents have been very nice, school is generally spotless, gorgeous new playground/outdoor teaching area built/refurbished just for EYFS in September 2022 and the school feels orderly and calm whenever we've been inside during class time. The main playground is being refurbished this summer, although it seemed in very good nick already. DC made lots of friends and reading and writing progress surpassed our expectations. Ofsted visited the school in June (or poss early July) so their report will be out soon enough. Negatives? Very little from our perspective, but we've only experienced one year and one teacher so there is a long way to go. Staff turnover not unknown, partly because that is nature of Oxford (which is expensive and lots of transient fold) and perhaps also lots of professionals/academics have high expectations of teachers. Have heard grumblings from other parents about younger kids/less eager kids feeling like they were pushed a bit too hard - perhaps some of that is national curriculum and some is school. Also some issues about communication in the Autumn, but I think that got a little better over the course of the year. Most other state primary schools in that part of Oxford are running at 50% or less on student numbers...

My son attends this school and we are thinking about leaving. Very poor teaching - perhaps down to bad luck - he’s had three teachers and only 1 of them good. Many other parents shared our experience in having to do most of the core teaching ourselves (luckily we have intellectual capacity to do that but time is also an issue). On that basis we have concluded that it cannot be worse elsewhere, and have looked at other schools, both state and private. Tried to address some of the issues with the school but we don’t believe there’s enough quality leadership to actually lead and therefore improve. A new playground is a lovely idea but not what this school needed most, hence waste of resources. Similarly there’s a certain coldness in the school, perhaps a missing bond of a common purpose, which to me as an organisational specialist spells deep trouble. I am also interested in hearing other current parents perspectives. Based on our visits elsewhere this school lost edge during the pandemic and by resting too much on its laurels. They are lucky to have the privileged intake otherwise they would be in special measures already. The current ofsted will be good (certainly not outstanding) but you need to read in between the lines. Ofsted will not give bad rating to a school in rich catchment. There are many behavioural problems - I will spare you how many times I received a first aid notification that another kid hit my son on his head on the playground. One day got a phone call from the head that a much older kid ripped my sons coat and his parents offered to pay for it (seriously). Ultimately it all depends how well you can access other schools. I believe nowadays some East Oxford or Headington schools are far better and academically comparable. Note Phil and Jim curriculum is very narrow. They only focus on strong performance in national tests which are no longer fit for purpose. Certainly not sufficient grounding for Oxbridge or Ivy League.

can I just bump this up - and get an update on opinions - as we are considering moving our two children out of a private school nearby to attend Phil & Jim's on the basis of previously glowing reports... should I be concerned?

Do you have particular concerns? Experience has been very positive so far. 2023 Ofsted report is here if you're interested:

Best thing to do is to find current parents and speak to them and get a sense of how it seems to them. If you don't know any then they are easy to find from about 3.30 in Aristotle Lane!

Definitely do not recommend it. Have moved DC to another school at the start of the term and results have been amazing. Phil & Jim was quite positively the worst school my DC ever attended, and that includes schools in the UK and abroad. Not sure where they get their reputation from, but it’s all hot air.

Please could you explain what you mean, what details of it being the worst school please do elaborate? With many thanks