First private school in Islington

[MuswellHillDad]

What do we think of this North Bridge House outpost in Canonbury, 13+ and only 300 students with no space for any serious facilities?

Isn't it just like having a dozen classrooms 2 miles away from the actual school?

www.northbridgehouse.com/articles/nbh-canonbury-is-go.html

Interesting reports of NBH here. For locals one attraction must be cutting out the drive over to Hampstead, Highgate, Camden etc. However, if the focus of the school is so "narrow" and the facilities are so little (on site) then actually Highbury Grove is well worth considering for all but the "dyed-wool" private is the only way parents, not least the save £15k per annum factor.

My biggest problem with NBH Canonbury is that they are trying to squeeze 300 students (to maximise revenues) into a site that should probably have less than half that number. Good summary from the local residents here

www.canonburysociety.org.uk/news.html

Children loved NBH Senior pre-merger with Royal, since when focus has moved away from daily TLC that we al loved so much to a corporate self-interest. Teaching has accordingly taken a dip. NBH may end up as a transitory business asset in the Cognita portfolio. I cannot imagine too many students would wish to continue the NBH experience at Sixth Form if they have a choice.

north1mum I couldn't agree more. I feel the same way. The school atmosphere has changed, it is not such a happy place anymore.

could you elaborate north1mum and photographer3? What years are your DCs in?

my kid is in year 11. the issue is with senior management, many kids complaining about the over zealous approach towards exams and being lectured at and feeling patronised. i get that they want the kids to do well, so do we and i appreciate the organised approach. But it can be overbearing and overpowering at times constantly reminding kids of exams coming up and how many lessons left in subjects - on a daily basis. it feels constraining rather than encouraging. this is why students will not want to go into 6th form, they feel patronised and don't enjoy school the way they used to. my view is that management are anxious about results as they are new and want to prove themselves, and they have become overcontrolling and petty. another problem is that the management and the teachers do not seem to be working together. there will be a few teachers leaving come summer and we've already lost several good ones. i get that under new management there's always changes but this has been going on for one-two years now and is destabilising.

Same as Dallas 3. I couldn't explain the situation better. As dallas 3 suggests, there are management issues. Last year the school helped start up a parent committee which aimed to discuss common concerns and clear the air. We were getting feedback as to how the school management intended to deal with issues, e.g. some very experienced teachers leaving after the two schools had amalgamated and being replaced by inadequate (and presumably cheaper) staff. This year the parent group was ditched, apparently due to too many pertinent questions being asked of the management. there's too little mutual respect between the different groups of teaching staff, management, parents and children. Papering over the cracks doesn't work. I'd add that the kids at NBH are fantastic!

I didn't even know about the parent committee last year, I guess it wasn't well advertised! They could definitely use one now. Staff turnover and instability has become a real issue. Our English teacher, who is the head of English, has simply disappeared. No explanation given, classes being covered by other staff. It is bad enough for year 10 but must be a nightmare for the year 11 students preparing for GCSEs. Agree with north1mum (kids are fantastic as are a few of the teachers) but management is not managing, and some of the teachers are pretty openly critical of the head and her deputy, even to their students. Would like to move, but options are limited, hoping Mill Hill will have a space. Has anyone else moved a child at the beginning of year 11, mid-GCSE?

Absolutely fed up with with the over the top florid self-congratulatory newsletters at NBH senior school. School has lost its ethos, a lot of staff and is unable to deal meaningfully with feedback. Can't believe that have the cheek to set up another school in Canonbury without getting the last amalgamation sorted out.

I would avoid anything to do with NBH, especially now as the new Head is obsessed with Canonbury taking off. S much so NBH in Hampstead is being sorely neglected. I don't like the ethos at the school, there is a tendency to marginalise pupils who are shy or sensitive, lots of boisterous pupils who might seem intimidating to some. Tight groups of popular girls and boys....Teachers are leaving in droves, some mid GCSES, leaving a tide of supply teachers. I shall be looking elsewhere for a sixth form for my child, for sure!

Also, it is hogwash to imply that Royal school pupils were placed in a parallel group when the school was merged with NBH. the entire school is streamed. In Year 11 the Royal School Girls were kept in a separate class to continue their crucial final year of GCSE studies with the least possible disruption. It had nothing to do with the girls not being up to 11+ standard! And when a school is merged, how is it honourable to keep the pupils of the merged school? In any case there was a mass exodus, particularly of the junior school. These are somewhat lofty observations and quite annoying!

We recently visited NBH and were most impressed. They have a brand new state of the art sports facility and the children seemed engaging, motivated an above all happy.

Where is the "state of the art sports facility" and what is in it?

Can't see how it's at the small site in Canonbury, but must be mistaken.

I have been invited to an NBH Parents engagement event next Wednesday!! Given the choice of NBH senior with small classes and UCL Academy with 1200 pupils eventually there was no competition. We didn't have any other realistic options given DD's dyslexia, our location (NW3) and waning a mixed school we are happy so far

I visited the school and had a very positive impression. The staff seem very committed and enthusiastic. The smaller classes are always a bonus.

My child has been at the Canonbury school since the start of the academic year (y9) and is really happy there. Teachers are inspiring, and the classes are small. The atmosphere is good and the Head, Mr Taylor, is liked and respected by children and parents. For sports they use the Sobell Sports Centre, and Regents Park and rotate sports every 3 - 4 weeks. For those who like football there's an options club so that it can be played all year. Pastoral care has been excellent. No complaints or worries!