Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Bolder Academy

28 replies

Hawa13 · 08/03/2018 11:43

We have an offer from a new secondary school in Hounslow, west london ( Bolder Academy) which will require two bus journeys each way as well as an offer from Chiswick school ( easier commute). will appreciate an opinion/ advice on the new school.

OP posts:
fyfe65 · 09/03/2018 16:01

Not sure anyone will be able to give you any advice as the school does not open till September, yours will be the first cohort

Mary21 · 09/03/2018 17:38

Is that the new school being built near Sky?

Original poster
Hawa13 · 09/03/2018 21:04

Yes it’s that one to be built near sky and we’ll be commuting from Acton

OP posts:
Marv1nGay3 · 10/03/2018 14:52

I have a friend who is a primary school teacher and put it as first choice for her daughter, having done as much research as she could into the new head etc. Not sure that is of much help but it is positive at least. It is greatly needed in Isleworth which has only single sex faith secondary schools at the moment.

Coconulty · 12/03/2018 13:44

Hi, We have had an equally difficult decision to make between Bolder and Chiswick. We've had a week of sleepless nights. In the end we decided on Bolder, it seems like a really exiting opportunity to be part of something new. Chiswick is still a great option though.

NotMyUserName1234 · 04/11/2018 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotMyUserName1234 · 30/05/2019 10:59

I’ve had notification from Mumsnet that my comments were factually incorrect. I should not have relied on tittle tattle and second hand information from the grapevine. My apologies

nattyb60 · 23/09/2022 16:15

It is an awful school- do not bother!

Unknownatm · 24/09/2022 08:31

Hi, I've also been looking at this school. Can you give a more detailed opinion of bolder academy if possible please. What are the reasons you shouldn't send your child? Are there any good aspects?

nattyb60 · 24/09/2022 10:14

Hello,
The school is consistently bad at communication, never calling back when there have been problems. They never answer the phone, ever.
During the 7 week (yes you read that right!) summer holiday he didn’t receive any homework at all and the homework they do get during term time is sparse and unsuitable to the curriculum. There is no duty of care either and the teachers just don’t seem to care much. The facilities are sub standard and the food on offer at lunch is terrible (no fresh veg or fruit)
We are hoping for a swop to Ealing Fields School after half-term.

nattyb60 · 09/11/2022 13:59

I’d also like to state my son will be leaving soon as he was threatened with being killed by other students on Snapchat. They sent awful photos and said they knew where he lived (we had to call the police)
The school did nothing but try to cover their own backs. They are truly a headline waiting to happen.
For your childrens safety do not send them to Bolder.

N0nam3 · 10/01/2023 10:59

I am really surprised you have such experience @nattyb60 The school has a dedicated email address where both parents and children can report their concerns. I only had to do it once, and received phone calls from pastoral, senior leadership team and an email from the head promising to sort out the issue. The problem was dealt with immediately and never happened again. Low level disruption as well as more serious incidents are dealt with swiftly in my experience, even if it happens outside school (chat groups, social media etc). My emails are usually answered the same day.
As to the substandard facilities... - I wonder if you have you ever visited the school? This is just laughable... How many schools have their own gym, superb drama studio, a climbing wall, several playing pitches, music room with plenty of instruments and even their own radio station?
Catering is good and inexpensive, yes there is no fruit or veg but the menu is quite varied. Packed lunch is always an option too if you wanted your child to have fruit and veg.
The school regularly tests children's progress against national benchmark, and parents are sent detailed reports. I can't comment on the amount of homework since I have no experience with other schools, but it seems right given their school day is longer than usual.
The only complaint I heard from my child is that teachers are too strict, which in my books is a good thing.

nattyb60 · 10/01/2023 11:15

Ok 👍🏼😂that was NOT our experience.

I assume this is one of the teachers/staff replying. Good work there

N0nam3 · 10/01/2023 11:20

Not a teacher or staff. Just a parent. Your experience is totally different from mine. The comment about facilities made me laugh

nattyb60 · 10/01/2023 14:27

Happy to be of service :)

N0nam3 · 10/01/2023 14:51

Jokes aside, if what you described happened to my child, I would have stopped at nothing to get the perpetrators punished. That is, of course, if the other party was the only one who was guilty. There are plenty of options, including senior management, police, board of governors, local authority etc . That would have been more productive than going on social media and branding potentially hundreds of children "criminals" as you did in your post on another thread.
Hope you got the outcome you wanted

nattyb60 · 10/01/2023 18:04

Yes we did do all that, obviously but thanks for the concern 🤦🏽‍♀️Contacted the police, senior management, the school governors etc etc etc.

No need to keep replying, you seem rather angry.

nattyb60 · 10/01/2023 18:12

And we did stop at nothing to get them punished which they were!
And I posted on mumsnet, which isn’t social media by the way, it’s a forum to share information and advice with other parents. You should probably know this, especially if you’re giving your unwanted opinion again

RituDBest · 18/03/2023 16:13

Hi

We got an offer for my son from Bolder academy for 2023 year 7. Could anyone please suggest me is this a really good school to go with?

nattyb60 · 18/03/2023 19:17

Ealing Fields is much, much better for many reasons. I would not recommend Bolder at all

AuditAngel · 19/03/2023 15:00

My godson attends this school, his mother wishes he was anywhere else

RituDBest · 19/03/2023 18:04

@AuditAngel Has your godson managed to change the school or still continuing with bolder? And any idea how is Lampton Academy?

LemonTea24 · 19/03/2023 20:29

My 2 kids are at Bolder. The only complaint I hear from them is that teachers are too strict (not a bad thing in my books). All other local secondaries are either faith or single sex, which we didn't want. We are happy with our choice.
Both made really good friends at school, and my previously very shy daughter has gained a lot of confidence.

nattyb60 · 30/09/2023 20:31

An example of a £2 “chicken burger” Just a horrendous piece of fried battery chicken in a cheap bread bun with no salad, sauces or condiments!

Just one example of the extremely poor quality food at Bolder Academy. ZERO vegetables and disgustingly terrible quality food.

Bolder Academy
moonlover · 15/09/2024 16:26

i go to bolder and got my arm broken. food is alright but im hoping to change schools. dont send your kids to bolder, as its a terrible terrible school.

saying this because i go there