Opinion on Northwood School

[Visitor20]

Any parents here who have DC in Northwood School? I would like to hear personal opinion/reviews of families who have first hand experience with this school. Their OFSTED report looks stellar but I know not to go by them alone. I have read some of the google reviews which do make me believe they are very strict on discipline and lax on dealing with bullying. Those reviews are almost two years old.
Does anyone here have more up to date info? I am not in UK at the moment so can’t personally visit when the schools reopen.

I don't have the direct experience you're after I'm afraid, but I would never judge a school from google reviews. They are in no way representative. Hope someone comes along with direct knowledge of the school for you - or ask around amongst other parents at your primary? Is there anyone there with older DC at Northwood?

Thank you so much @Zinnia for responding.

I sincerely hope someone with first hand experience to the school sees this thread and posts. We don’t reside in UK right now so can’t really check with other parents in Northwood directly.

I have also read some disturbing accounts of drug use among teenagers in schools etc. Can someone shed some light on this. How do the schools tackle this? I know teenage years are full of ups and downs and peer pressure so it’s easy for some kids to fall into the wrong side. What can parents do to ensure their teenagers steer clear of this?

All I would say is that any school which says it doesn't have a drug problem (& bullying for that matter) is lying to you, and possibly themselves. It's how they deal with it that matters.

I'm not a parent but my sibling and friends attended and two of them now teach there. It's a good state school, and has a range of abilities.

I don't believe the school has a bigger drug problem than any of the others in the area, when I was a pupil locally there were drugs in the grammar schools and private schools too.

Thanks @Mustbetimeforachange for the reply. I have lived most of my life as an expat and I have to admit that the issue of drugs has never been a concern in my home country or the current place I reside in. I attribute the low incidence of drug offenses to the high rate of punishment. Maybe I am wrong. Drugs are not easily available around so it’s not easy for youngsters to fall prey to these vices.

@DreamingofSunshine, your reply has provided me with a sense of relief! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. The Northwood school facility looks much more modern as compared to the nearby state school which hasn’t had its OFSTED report updated since a long time. The helpful advice from posters such as you will help parents like me and others come to a decision. :)