Fortismere disaster - North London

[letsfaceit]

We never imagined it would be that bad, we had high expectations from Fortismere. When we considered schools in our area for DS around North London/Muswell Hill it stayed a strong favourite among the comprehensive choices we had. We also live close to the school so that was of course a consideration.

We were too late for the 11+ option for selectives at a the time we were Expats coming back on the year of the exams. Fortismere was not a compromise, we genuinely thought it would be great for DS. We liked the diversity of the school and the strong Music and Drama programme and a lot of friends with experience at the school recommended it. Academically it looked like it delivered the goods so no reason to discount it. We certainly noticed the huge size and number of kids but did not think it would be an issue to DS which is a very popular, super friendly child. Also no other comprehensives around here is significantly smaller anyway.

But since DS started year 7 in September, it was just one disaster after the next. We are so disappointed and very concerned for the future.
Mainly we feel that the huge environment and being presented with all this freedom is hard for him to manage in a positive way. No uniform is actually an issue, we never thought it would matter at all.

His behaviour deteriorated rapidly to a point we did not recognise anymore. DS just can't handle the huge complex system which is also very disorganized. We tried to work closely with the school throughout the year to arrive to some productive changes that may help him but they struggle to follow through their promises and mostly just can't act fast enough or care enough.

The headteacher is also changing next year which adds to our concerns. It can be good or bad but any change will take time to implement.

We are now seriously considering to move him out but to where????

Our options:
APS? - except the fact they have uniform it can't be that different to Fortismere..same kids, big comprehensive.. so too much of a gamble in terms of getting nowhere.

Private?? - We certainly have to explore this option, though expensive! I would appreciate any names of schools that you may know of that are small and caring. I think size is a consideration in this case however if the school is strong and stable, it might work. We know of the big ones like highgate, UCS, City boys... but it would be great if you know of any others. Also if you are aware of any that have options on fees, or am i too optimistic? I don't think we will qualify for a bursary. DS will also not get in on music.

And can you even get in yr 8.. ?

What else is there? JCoss? JFS (we can get in)

Any advise would be most welcome!
Thanks.

Similar to my DS's story. Very poor pastoral system.

Sadly pastoral care does not exist in Fortismere. If they do finally get their act together it is either because your child is literally on the criminal side or you have chased them long and hard to raised their attention to the problem. By that point, as our experience taught us, it is too late.
If your child is a different type learner, i.e intelligent and non-conformist he will struggle.

The only strategy they have in place to deal with "bad" seeds is detentions and isolations.

Detention-45min, stair at a wall in a scruffy corridor somewhere after school.

Isolation-placed in a separate class for a whole day, basically singled out as a trouble maker, no contact with peers that day allowed and only doing work alone.

How Victorian is this, if not on the slight edge of child abuse?

And the truth is that it's all a total joke as non of these methods actually works if the issues are deeper than the occasional slip which they consistently failing to identify and address effectively. In the meantime it is very damaging and the kids just stops taking it seriously as no real hope for positive resolution is on offer. Sad.

Fortismere has been a disaster for my child, I totally agree with all your comments....although with us it wasn't so much behaviour as total lack of any academic achievement, confidence went downhill....if I could I would have chosen another school, definitely. I have a child starting secondary school next week who is not going there.

No structure, v little homework, terrible discipline, v poor communication from the school....I don't know one child who isn't tutored, that's the reason the school does as well as it does. The school boasts every year about results - it should be doing extremely when you look at Muswell Hill & those who live there.

If behaviour is an issue now, just wait til they start drinking & smoking....another issue at the school!

It is not uncommon to tutor all the way through Fortismere.

If you are top set at Fortismere, you will do well....slip down or be in any other set and you'll never recover.

Not sure about alternatives to the school.....APS does have a much better reputation these days and its pastoral care is meant to be fantastic - as opposed to non-existent at Fortismere. It does of course have a waiting list like every other North London school.

If you have the privilege to choose between Fortismere and APS go APS. Fortismere is not what it used to be anymore and just surviving on old reputation. It's not going to last long, the downhill spiral is very obvious.
And just one look at the place makes me run away, it is in shocking state of repair.
People who are after the name, wake up!

Marriotmum, do you or did you have kids at Fortismere?

Am asking as I have heard that things have got better since the old head left at the beginning of this academic year, and that the new co heads are more visible, have done away with some of the other old style detentions and behaviour is improving. Is this not the case?

I have a daughter at Jcoss and the reality sounds more like Fortismere. excessive punishments for silly things, lots of unnecessary detentions, very little homework, lots of low level or higher disruption in classes especially in lower and middle sets, very high staff turnover and weak pastoral care. Results seem to stem from massive tutoring which parents arrange themselves- some even have 5 or 6 tutors for GCSE Head seems obsessed with his career and marketing but needs to focus more on systems and organisation

It has been very disappointing and turned my girl off studying.

Same here: a total and unexpected disaster, DD still has nightmares about it. Support non existent or punitive as soon as things go wrong, Link (the SEN) grossly inappropriate. Very, very cliquey, loads of private tutoring, very normative and unable to deal with outliers or even comprehend they exist. In cases of bullying the onus is placed on the bullied to rise above it again and again. Teaching is grade focussed and destroys kids confidence's in their ability by refusing to enter them for exams 'they are not good enough' for. Teachers seem overworked and overwhelmed. Friends that remained at the school regret doing so. However, some kids apparently love it (none from friends' circle) and do well, so a bit of a gamble.

Vv747. Are you referring to Fortismere or Jcoss?

I think she is talking about Fortismere as she refer to 'Link' which is the SEN support in Fortesmere.. I heard it's dysfunctional so I agree with the above..

JCoSS- Jewish Community Secondary School, for those who asked what it stood for.

Vv747, are you talking about Fortismere? Do anyone else have any feedback? We are considering moving into the catchment area very shortly - very concerned about these comments!

Moving to the catchment because of Fortismere is a big mistake. With the budget you will need for a property in the area (rent or buy) you can probably afford a private school.

Did you have a look around? Did you like what you saw? I always find it a sad looking place, prison like settings.

It's name is an old myth and a blind reputation. Sorry but Fortismere is NOT worth investing in.

Newname, we could afford private at a stretch (I still think moving works out cheaper, especially if you have more than 1 child) but getting him in is the problem. DS is average ability and I don't think stands any chanc of getting into Highgate or City or even the less academic schools like Forest or Belmont Mill Hill. I know several bright kids who didn't get in this year. If I knew for sure he would get an offer at any of those then we wouldn't move but I need to plan for worst case. Regardless of the name, the results are still excellent and way ahead of other schools in the area.

And newname, I looked around last year and loved it. Sure it's a bit scruffy but so are most schools. I actually preferred it to several private schools we saw including North Bridge House. If you want to see a prison, go to Highgate Wood!

Newname, do you have kids at Fortismere? Interested to hear more on your experience there please.

All the Fortismere kids I know love it.

Hi everyone,

We are moving to London - me and DD.
Looking at Ofsted reports and everything Fortismere seemed to be a great option. Reading the comments right now bc we just looked at the school and seems like it is run down and very demotivating. I feel terrible now that I have to find a home asap, leaving out Fortismere means I have to start from scratch looking for a good school - meaning a good neighborhood too. Can you recommend any areas with real good comprehensives? I work near Covent Garden so commute to center is an issue too. Thanks

Graveney?

Moetini London Borough of Bromley has great schools. For example Darrick Wood or Bullers Wood and trains from Orpington or Chislehurst would go straight to Charing Cross (plus other destinations if you Cheyne jobs) so good for Covent Garden. You may need to start a separate thread if wanting wider advice.

@moetini Have a look at Alexandra Park school, it seems to be on the up while Fortismere on the down, a lot of parents who would previously have picked Fortismere are going for APS. And it would mean not changing your neighbourhood search beyond a few hundred yards.