My child started there in September, unfortunately they were the only place that would take my child (SEN).
so far not impressed for 3 main reasons.
1 lack of communication, if you phone up you get an answer machine you leave a message on, I have done that a couple of times now and they dont check the messages they call you to moan a couple of hours later about unauthorised absence, responding to emails is a bit well better then 50/50 but it often looks like rushed responses with not all the answers you want so you have to email them back. if they do call you back its from a private number so you have no idea who it was.
they have 2 apps (technically 3 if your kids not on free school meals) neither are very good and are generic things from the app store.
If your kid gets detention you get a text at 2.40pm to tell you, I think thats pretty late, whats worse is if the detention is cancelled they only do that after school time, so they try to contact you at 3.45 (15 mins after normal school time ends), so in my case I am already out on my way to pickup taking into account the detention time they told me at 2.40.
reason 2 is the detentions discipline its far too punitive, 20 mins for not having the top button on your shirt done up, shirt not tucked in etc, 40 min detention for turning up late to school and there is no leeway if your kids run upto the gate at 8.30 it will be slammed in their face (seen that happen a couple of times to kids standing there talking to their parents who suddenly make a move as the caretaker starts shutting it), detention for talking in the corridors during class transition etc. tbh after 3 weeks getting detention is meaningless no one cares parents or children alike, its so punitive its completely meaningless, its just part of the school week rather then something bad to be avoided if you see what I mean its just shrug detention again.
3 is the uniform code, its not as bad as places like Alperton for example where it states on their website kids will be forced to do P.E barefoot if they do not have plan white trainers (Ark doesnt care what colour your trainers are as long as they dont have big logos on and they certainly dont make kids do P.E barefoot) but its the winter coat rules, not had to deal with that yet as its warm but no hoods allowed, where the hell do you get a kids winter coat without a hood? Marks and spencers dont sell a single one for a start.
on the plus side its right next to a tube station and close to bus stops, they have therapy (not started yet) and the counseling service is up and running my child likes that and my child says the learning in class is good and he likes the school dinners (he didnt like the school dinners at his primary and insisted on packed lunch).