Newstead Wood School: a warning

[AnonymousBeing]

I'm writing this largely because I don't know how else to protect girls from this school. In my seven years there I and my friends never encountered anything remotely resembling competent pastoral care, and I've been left with the impression that this school cares about its grades, and not about its students.

Due, I believe, to the high pressure environment and lack of support, this school is a breeding ground for anorexia, depression, anxiety and self harm. No support is given for students who suffer from these, and whilst I cannot say for certain there were rumours that such students were asked to leave the school if teachers felt their grades were affected.

Students are made to feel that anything below an A grade is a fail, and below an A is inadequate. Reward ceremonies after big exams are used to enforce this, for example at GCSE only students who get 7 A grades or more are recognised as having made a notable achievement.

Bullying is also badly tackled at this school. The school will do next to nothing to combat bullying, and students often give up and suffer in silence when their complaints are not listened to. Attempts to stop bullying largely consist of team building activities in the classroom, which are deeply ineffective. The school is unwilling to allow students to move class no matter how bad the bullying gets.

They are also generally unobservant; because they only notice students when concerned about their grades, if a student is high performing then learning difficulties such as dyslexia can go unnoticed until university if they weren't diagnosed in primary school. This can be an issue because a lack of diagnosis can mean a lack of support and a lot of confusion for both the child and their parents when there are things the child inexplicably seems to struggle with or cannot manage. As someone diagnosed with dyspraxia and dyslexia at university, this is something I have first hand experience of. Instead of help, my struggles were met with perplexed teachers and the suggestion that I change subjects so as to get better grades.

And certainly don't send your child here if they might want to consider anything other than university afterwards; Newstead will force them to apply to university in hopes that they will change their mind and will be entirely unsupportive of their plans.

I'm sure there are some people who have enjoyed their time at Newstead, unfortunately there are far more who have been left damaged by it. So this is just a warning; I have experienced Newstead and would 100% NOT recommend it.

[Tamara1969]

My time at Newstead Wood was a happy one. It was at home were my problems lay. The school was my safe haven. Sadly homelife was not one of a happy nature, so my school life was my sanctuary. I'm hoping someone I'm meeting soon remembers me from Newstead Wood. She has a survival instinct which I have not. I hope she and me can become the best of friends.

[Tamara1969]

Hello
I went to Newstead Wood from 1969 to 1975.
I was ok here. I have more to say however later on. Thank you.

[Rachelover40]

student03 : I don't think NW does a good job of supporting its students with mental health problems, and there generally is a lot of favouritism at the school. Teachers at NW are generally a bit of hit and miss, the few that actually care about the students are tremendously overworked. Unfortunately, I found some teachers extremely rude and unprofessional.
--
That's very interesting. It was the same at my school (Sydenham High School for Girls).

[Achilla01]

I feel that I need to defend Newstead Wood school. My daughter spent
7 happy years there and is hoping that her own daughter will get in.
Why did you stay. Why did you go into a highly selective school. What
did you expect. Support yes of course but not a soft school.
I hope that you have settled but I feel that you may have put off some girls that could have done well there.

[student03]

As a former student at this school, I completely understand the situations that this person faced while at NW. I don't think NW does a good job of supporting its students with mental health problems, and there generally is a lot of favouritism at the school. Teachers at NW are generally a bit of hit and miss, the few that actually care about the students are tremendously overworked. Unfortunately, I found some teachers extremely rude and unprofessional.
But NW isn't all that bad, I don't think, there is a sense of community and you make long-lasting friendships. With the good teachers you look forward to their lessons, but its's a real shame that there are so few. Please bear in mind that the school is very poorly funded so resources are scarce in all the departments.
I don't think parents should completely rule Newstead Wood out for their children, but it is not as amazing as it's made out to be.

[Astronotus]

Well Anonymous, if you will open up an old thread, other posters will make their own comments! Vendetta - rubbish. I'm interested in facts. Transparent facts.

[Anonymousgirl]

I was simply reflecting the recent changes the school has undergone so as to give perspective. You on the other hand seem to have a personal vendetta against the school, so far as to keep up with recent ofsted inspections. All schools have issues and most aren’t in a hurry to fix them; Newstead was and I am simply praising them for doing so. If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all and keep it pushing. Have a nice day

[Astronotus]

Anonymousgirl. Why resurrect an old thread you completely disagree with? Why not let it die? I doubt the OP waited five years to post, as you say you think they must have left in 2013. As you appear to have recent experience I have some questions for you. Yes, GCSE grades were great. But why have the total number of A*/A grades at A level dropped over 20% in five years? Why have there been four heads since 2013 and why was the recent one-day only Ofsted inspection extended?

[Anonymousgirl]

While I am deeply saddened by your own experiences at the school, I find it extremely unfair for you to discourage other people from even exploring or giving the school a chance. I cannot speculate on your age, but I know you must have left there no later than 2013. Ever since, the school has made significant changes to the place and is deeply focused on mental health. They have clubs such as Melons Dyslexia Society, and the school now has on hand a permanent support room where students can go to relieve stress. You can now leave your lessons to go there if you’re on the verge of panic or things just aren’t okay. As well as this, the school have also provided a full time school counsellor who is there to not only listen to your problems, but refer you to get extra help if required. In terms of sixth form, they have also provided a student room within the block which serves the same purpose as the y7-11 support room. You cannot talk about something you’ve experienced after five or more years without checking in to see if there are any changes. Furthermore, I mean this in the nicest possible way but do you not believe that your friends who did exceptional in their exams deserve some praise?? It is not the school’s fault nor their fault that you feel incompetent without an award. Also it is clear, that a lot of the pressure on students is partly to do with their own wish to do well as well as overbearing parents, not just the school. The new GCSE system is extremely tough on students, being even worse and more pressurising than your own. Yet, their most recent GCSE grades although great reflects great support from the school not greater pressure. The school received over 500 A/9 grades which averages to 3.5 A/9 per student, outperforming St. Olaves- whose kids were more stressed, more worried, more burnt out- by miles. Lastly, the school themselves did not pressure anyone to achieve: most teachers refused to predict students a grade 9 even though they were aware they could achieve the grade so as to reduce pressure on them. I now think it’d be great for you to get back in touch with the school and see what it is like now, because I believe it would be such a shame for you to hold this view forever. The school shaped my teenage years and I am extremely proud of how much Newstead has improved. Give it a chance!

[Symirna]

My daughter is in Y10 at NW, and my main reason for sending her there was for her to be around smart girls who would inspire her to do more. She's been very laid back at primary school, and didn't bother to put in any extra effort when she felt she was already doing quite well compared to her friends.

I never felt she was pressurized, and they took it quite easy at Y7 for the girls to adjust to secondary. She made lovely friends, they always support each other academically and socially. I couldn't ask for more.

Of course being a super selective school, they want to keep their reputation of academic success. If a child is not interested in going to university, perhaps NW wasn't the right place.

There is a new Headteacher now, who was the deputy HT for a long time, and he's fantastic, very inspiring and genuine. As far as I am aware he's also very popular with all girls.

[Astronotus]

Wealthy area? Not all students there are from rich families. The catchment is 9 miles so extends to areas of London with lower average incomes. There was a push to ask parents for high sums of money but when I had a DD there most families were not paying it. Even though they were desperate for parents' cash it was not being clearly explained where it would be used. But all schools need extra cash. The government seriously needs to engage with that or there will be less Tory votes from parents of school age children next election. Parents are fed up being asked for money for schooling when they already pay taxes for it. Emotion comes into play when you are being asked to fund your child's school, a place where your most precious thing spends 6 hours a day. When you refuse, you feel guilty and worry your child's education will be ruined. It must be very upsetting for those parents who struggle to pay normal living costs.

New leadership? - no, all the same personnel as before as far as I can tell. In different jobs.

[MumoftheSpecies]

I heard that, although this is a wealthy area, parents sat on their wallets and the money dictated a MAT. This was possibly from a lack of confidence in the leadership and governorship. The period starting with the ousting of Ms Allen was not happy by many accounts. The new leadership has confidence in spades. I renew my plea for challenging all complaisance.

[dandibear]

Astronotus glad my post was useful. It sounds there needs to be some fresh thinking in the governing body. There is a strong culture in the school which needs a confident leader at the helm to direct in a positive way.

I am disappointed to hear that the school has joined a MAT. In my opinion, they are not a successful way to run a school in the long term.

[PettsWoodParadise]

I can’t get back from my job in time to attend the meetings and have another volunteer role that takes up a lot of my time otherwise I’d have considered putting myself forward.

[Astronotus]

Thanks PWF, that's good to know. I know of two candidates who are still parents there and had been pressing to be considered. Are you considering it yourself?

[PettsWoodParadise]

The school emailed all parents about four months ago asking for applications for a parent Governor role. I haven’t seen any news about an appointment though...

[Astronotus]

dandibear. Your view as a teacher and ex-student is very helpful. Of course there are similar MH problems in all other schools. I was disappointed when the MAT they joined reinstated the old governors. That would have been the chance to get some fresh blood in rather than just rotate the Chair and Vice Chair and still have no parent governors. The MAT were made aware that not all parents and teachers were happy with governors who had been in place for many years and, especially in 2015, were very uncommunicative. There are intelligent, professional working parents who have been attempting to join that governing body for years. The Senco staff member also has a teaching role which must make for a very heavy workload.

[dandibear]

I also went to Newstead, albeit 10+ years ago. I now teach in a comprehensive state school.

Yes the pressures on the students are great and there is still the residual feeling that my 5As and 7A*s at GCSE are still not good enough but I have seen students beat themselves up over the same issues at the school I now teach at.

The pastoral care is lacking, I agree. At the time I was there, we had form tutors and heads of year. This was sufficient for my needs but the high concentration of highly intelligent girls will always result in a high incidence of mental health issues. This group of students are always going to be more susceptible to this. There were groups of students with eating disorders, self harm issues and other problems 10 years ago. It is the same in the school I work at. The difference is, we have pastoral support workers. Newstead does have a system in place, but it does not seem specialised enough to meet the needs of their students.

From an academic point of view, the school was unmatched. The teachers were absolutely outstanding - my experience was of an inspirational staff body who enjoyed their subjects. I have lasting memories of the English and science departments especially.

The reality of the careers advice is that the majority of the students will be going to university and students who are high attaining are more likely to attend Russell group/ Oxbridge. The school are catering to the majority. There is a push in my current school to ensure that non-university goers are also advised correctly but this is (unfortunately) still in its infancy. This is something that Newstead needs address. They may already be doing this, but of course students only hear what they want to.

Would I send my daughters there? Personally, I would think very carefully and ensure the choice was theirs. The school suited me but the high pressured environment isn't for everyone. Yes, it has its problems but not anything I would say is incomparable to the school I currently teach at.

I couldn't let this thread pass by without posting - I hope it gives a balancing point of view.

[MumoftheSpecies]

Astronotus,
Thanks for your comments. If the new SENco, now trained is good, I am glad and not surprised. My beef was that the designated head stepped in to do the role and did not have the humility to see the damage being done.
If any Governors do search this:
please stop shouting and give genuine cooperation a chance
remember that making the difficult succeed is part of your role
suggest some humility to your new head.. There is much to be proud of but complaisance will help no-one.

[Astronotus]

MumoftheSpecies. I found your last post very interesting. One of your points really hit home with me and confirmed you've experienced this school. I too was in meetings where parents were shouted at by management. These parents were not shouting or difficult, just politely communicating and yet were treated with no respect. Governors were also present at those meetings and made no comment or even attempted to diffuse the situation, which was very disappointing. I am sad you believe the Senco was not adequate for the child concerned. I knew the new Senco and they were new to the job and training. If you follow other forums you will see that the other local grammar schools and particularly girls only grammar schools have had unusually high numbers of applications this year and I can only feel that this is a reflection of issues at this school. Parents are casting a wary eye. I have been told recently that some teachers at the school read the forums and I know of a governor who regularly checks what is being said, so hopefully they will take on board some of our comments. But definitely, please stop the shouting.

[MumoftheSpecies]

Yes the school was always trying with pastoral care. They were never callous and were shocked.
When the disastrous head left, the SENco (who has a bigger role than many appreciate) also stepped down. With a new acting head and a SENco training up, into the many breaches arrived someone who has the energy commitment, ability to take people with him and willingness to step outside the comfort zone to do an enormous amount. That person is the new head designate. If he realises how much, in trying to be SENco, he was outside his competence, than it could be great. I was involved by finding experts to advise. Some of these were ignored ( in one meeting, advice was shouted down). The relevant governor was of the attitude that if the school suited their child who had acknowledged difficulties, then another child who did not thrive must be at fault herself. External advice was to take the school to tribunal to teach them what to do before there was another tragedy. However, that takes too much effort and if experts are ignored, official advice can be ignored.
My fear is that, with so many excellents, there is still complacence and urge any one whose chld has a vulnerability to consider hard and above all, if there seem to be a problem, do not assume it is with the child just because you see a success machine.

[Rebecca36]

I know NW quite well. Following the suicide the head teacher resigned and another one appointed temporarily. Now they have a new permanent head.

From what I understand, NW has tried to improve its pastoral care since the poor girl took her own life. People I know who went there or go there are quite happy and parents still queue up to get their daughters in but no school is right for everyone.

[MumoftheSpecies]

I have to say a brief something to Sydenhamhiller. The pressure was definitely from the school and not either of us as parents. Child put pressure on self: agreed.
It got a lot worse in KS4. The staff change.

[sydenhamhiller]

I am echoing what sobz70 says above. My daughter is just at the end of Y7 too, and has really enjoyed it.

It has not been all daisy chains and rainbows: DD1 has found the commute tiring, and the step up to secondary school HW after a very laid back state primary quite challenging, but then so have some of her peers going to other, closer schools.

She had such a wobble in 2nd term that I eventually contacted her head of year, and a sort of pastoral intervention started. And I know other parents with DDs who have also said they have been impressed with how their concerns have been taken very seriously, and steps taken to help.

I am so sorry to hear when other people have had a negative experience, it is very hard when your child is struggling and they don't seem to get the support they need.

I think the point about 'it suits pupils who can take the pressure' really resonates with me. (I also have a son at St Olave's.) In both cases, my children say some of their peers say things like 'my parents are going to be so disappointed with me'; 'my parents are going to be so angry', and in tears because they 'only' got 70-odd% in a test, or won't be on the 'top' maths set when streamed.

Both DS and DD1 feel the pressure comes from the pupils and their parents: not the schools. Newstead Wood in particular (and I think because of the sad events in 2015), were very explicit about the need for girls to learn to fail, to realise you cannot be the best all the time, and it does not matter etc.

[MumoftheSpecies]

I agree, as an ex parent, that a warning is needed about this school. It suits pupils who can take pressure and many do very well. There does not appear to be any understanding of those who cannot. This has been exacerbated by changes in head and change in SENco so that the new one had to train from scratch. The people who stepped in to take on aspects of the role were outside not only their comfort zone but their competence. The head of keystage 4 was particularly unimaginative. Yes there was a suicide in 2015 and I know from close, confessional contact that it is only by luck that there was not another in 2017.