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Original poster

OLA Abingdon

116 replies

Beetlemamma · 07/01/2025 22:10

Can any parents who have children at OLA Abingdon, shed any light on the current head leaving the school? I have been told he is moving on. My daughter is registered, to hopefully, attend in September 2025. I have also heard the school is financially unstable!! Please help, seriously worried mother!!!

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ThisJollyPearlDreamer · 18/10/2025 12:08

Did you forget to change your username before writing the latest post? It looks like there's a member of SLT on here using a couple of different usernames. Are you still trying to fool the parents? We have already made up our minds, don't worry.

Thetruthtakestime · 18/10/2025 12:57

Let s not forget that we all found out the school was closing down here. Some of us are well connected and it seems that I am not the only one. I can t care less now who s fault it is I want my money back I had paid nearly 2000 pounds in deposits. That can t just vanish

ThisJollyPearlDreamer · 18/10/2025 14:55

@Thetruthtakestime how do you know about gross misconduct dismissals if you're a parent and not a member of SLT? Are you making it up?

Sadlythingsaregrim · 18/10/2025 15:46

@Thetruthtakestime If there is another story here why not go to the press and make it public? Set the record straight? Even if you have an NDA it’s hardly likely that it would be enforced, as there is no money for anyone, let alone to obtain an injunction!

CandidViewer · 18/10/2025 16:45

@Thetruthtakestime it seems as though you are confused on both your position and opinion here.

At first you claim how wonderful the leadership were and blaming teachers/strikes, then clearly claimed you have knowledge of the reasons for staff dismissals (eluding to your standing as a member of leadership). Then, even tried to call out a poster as a former teacher (Dr W) but claimed you knew the junior section and only some senior? You then became a parent adamant to get your deposit back, claiming the money couldn’t have just ‘vanished’. the money didn’t vanish, it was swallowed by the vast debts accrued by the school (leadership responsible) - as evidenced by the state of accounts sent to all of us parents.

As said by @Sadlythingsaregrim , please do share your knowledge as a ‘well connected’ person. Share reasons that are classed as gross misconduct, I’m particularly interested as I’ve spoken with your former teachers (at results day when leadership failed to show their face, and privately whilst they helped us with curriculum coverage and tutoring) and I disagree that all these firings constitute gross misconduct.

Sadlythingsaregrim · 18/10/2025 17:57

@Thetruthtakestime you do seem to have multiple angles on what happened at OLA, as @CandidViewer has rightly observed. Are you a bot? Nobody is going to see their money again. I just hope it was simply gross incompetence and nothing more. There was that cosy blockchain deal wasn’t there? No conflict of interest? No sign that it was ever implemented though, after all those ridiculous press releases. You’re having a laugh!

ThisJollyPearlDreamer · 18/10/2025 18:04

Made up claims of gross misconduct perhaps. Wouldn't surprise me. Where was all the money going? There's no money left to pay the creditors. Someone was paying themselves the same salary as Apple's CEO, methinks.

Sadlythingsaregrim · 19/10/2025 18:01

Where did that money go? Not just paying off staff and legal fees for NDAs?

AlwaysOxford · 04/12/2025 20:12

Interesting development. Mr Karian has a new job as COO. AGAIN. At Mount Kelly school in Devon. Headmaster there Guy Ayling was chair of governors at OLA. 🧐

Sadlythingsaregrim · 05/12/2025 08:08

Mount Kelly parents better be looking for a new school then….how long before Prav destroys this one?

BernieV · 05/12/2025 20:00

No doubt Prav will deem a full IT upgrade necessary, and before you know it Freddie will also be in for a serious profitable fleecing. And so it continues……

Sadlythingsaregrim · 06/12/2025 08:09

But surely Freddy’s blockchain is a solution to all life’s problems? That poor school is doomed.

MyAmara · 06/12/2025 18:41

The closure felt like the end of the world for us at the time.

But three months later, it’s as if I have a completely different child — a far better version who has genuinely benefitted from proper structure, supportive teachers, and a healthier learning environment.

Even though we were only at OLA for one year, I shudder to think what another year there might have done.

The difference now is unbelievable.

For the first time, I can actually see the value of my investment reflected in my child.

anotherfinemess1 · 06/12/2025 22:06

Wow! Where has your child moved to, @MyAmara?

MyAmara · 08/12/2025 14:52

anotherfinemess1 · 06/12/2025 22:06

Wow! Where has your child moved to, @MyAmara?

The Oratory.

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