West London Free School Secondary staff

[deelite72]

The school opened in 2011. My son started in September 2013. The staff turnover is very high. I'm rather astonished at the rate teachers come and go. I imagine they're still trying to establish a very strong team of staff and this takes time. Still, it's unsettling. Should I be more patient with this rather new school and new concept which I initially was very supportive of? Little red flags are waving and I am trying to ignore them. Thoughts? Many thanks.

[vindscreenviper]

Going back to the OP's original message about staff turnover I see that WLFS are advertising for a new Head, am I right in thinking this would be the third Head in 3 years? That seems a bit strange...

[wheresthebeach]

That would be terrible if true...watching with interest as it's on our list to visit next year.

[vindscreenviper]

The advert is in the TES this week

www.tes.co.uk/job/headteacher-hammersmith-and-fulham-232059/here

I think the first Head was moved sideways after the first year, so the present postholder hasn't even lasted 2 years I think. I wonder what the problem is, the recruitment or the retention?

[AnnyBee]

??? What doea this last post suggest?

[orangecurd]

AnnyBee - the picture is of Toby Young, who set up the WLFS. In the years prior to this he was a journalist and author, with no direct experience of education. He presumably posed for the picture posted above as part of a promotional effort for something he'd written (can't see the book well enough to know what). I presume VSVIper is simply alluding to this period in his life rather than making any other insinuation!

[Playfortoday]

And vind was also being very funny. It absolutely made me laugh.

[vindscreenviper]

Thanks Play,

However, I'll think I'll change the question to "Is the school being run by complete incompetents?" since Toby Young has a paid role as CEO of the WLFS Trust so can hardly be classed as an amateur.

[vindscreenviper]

I wondered how long that photo would stay up.

If anyone missed it and is wondering what was in that deleted message just Google images of Toby Young; it was the one of him naked except for a small book covering his genitals.

[Anomis]

I am about to choose my preferences for secondary school. I have visited Holland Park, West London Free School, Chelsea Academy, Ashcroft, Fulham Boys School, Ark Putney.
So far my choices are 1-Holland Park, 2-West London Free School, 3- Chelsea Academy, 4-Fulham Boys. Are there any parents who have children at Holland Park, West London Free School or Chelsea Academy who can give me some up to date feedback on their experience of the schools?
Many of the posts on here are old and I would like a more recent opinion. Thanks in advance, any contribution will be much appreciated!
Also if anyone is at the WLFS how are you finding the fact that there are no technical or vocational subjects? I like the sound of a classical education and my son's passion and forte is writing and English.