Francis Holland SS head stepping down

SamPoodle123 · 2023-01-03T12:39:38+00:00

I received an email saying the head of Francis Holland SS is stepping down from her role. Thoughts on this? My dd applied to the school and we really liked the head.

FfaCoffi · 03/01/2023 12:43

I don't know anything about Francis Holland, but I do know I went to a school with a good reputation that had had a change of head. The new head wasn't great, several teachers left as a result and the ones that were left were demoralised. It wasn't great.

Of course, your new head might be brilliant, but I would be a bit wary. What do you know about why she left and if a new head has been found?

sailingsunshine · 03/01/2023 13:05

She couldn't leave the school in a better position as its just been named Sunday Times independent secondary school of the year.

I'm sure after a long time at the helm she is ready for a change .

Original poster

SamPoodle123 · 03/01/2023 13:09

She probably got headhunted somewhere else! But yes, I know about the Sunday Times independent secondary school of the year, which is why I suspect she might have been offered a good position elsewhere with new opportunities for her. My worry is not knowing about the new head. And my dd current school just got a new head and lets just say I am not happy w the change, so I am a bit nervous with the announcement. We are in the middle of 11+ so do not know if she got in, but not ideal if she does get in and we need to make decisions.....

OP posts:

Confitofduckand · 03/01/2023 13:24

Didn’t ISI fail them on safeguarding?

Wlondonmum2022 · 03/01/2023 13:26

SamPoodle123 · 03/01/2023 13:09

She probably got headhunted somewhere else! But yes, I know about the Sunday Times independent secondary school of the year, which is why I suspect she might have been offered a good position elsewhere with new opportunities for her. My worry is not knowing about the new head. And my dd current school just got a new head and lets just say I am not happy w the change, so I am a bit nervous with the announcement. We are in the middle of 11+ so do not know if she got in, but not ideal if she does get in and we need to make decisions.....

So much movement this year! We will be in the same position, if my daughter gets a place..

Creamfirst22 · 03/01/2023 13:45

They were not compliant with statutory safeguarding guidance in Dec 2021. This would lead to a state school being placed in category 4 (inadequate) immediately. How on earth they can be named "Independent School of the Year" by anyone beggars belief off the back of this. A change in headteacher is the least of your worries!!

Confitofduckand · 03/01/2023 14:04

It does rather make a farce of The Times Parent Power survey and ‘Independent School of the Year’ award @Creamfirst22

’Parent power’ might lead to better standards in the independent sector if parents prioritised keeping their children safe as a basic expectation.

sailingsunshine · 03/01/2023 14:35

@Creamfirst22 , it's the same as Epsom college, they got a damming ISI on safeguarding and bullying - really basic reporting stuff not joined up and then a few months later with a new head were named Independent school of the year by another organisation.

HawaiiWake · 03/01/2023 16:43

FfaCoffi, agree with what you said. The head is very important since teachers that are good can leave and also new heads can make changes and not for the good of the students and community. Seen this happen as all the top teachers left and new replacements didn’t continue smoothly but did lots of new and opaque changes.

CJFJ1 · 03/01/2023 18:59

SamPoodle123 · 03/01/2023 13:09

She probably got headhunted somewhere else! But yes, I know about the Sunday Times independent secondary school of the year, which is why I suspect she might have been offered a good position elsewhere with new opportunities for her. My worry is not knowing about the new head. And my dd current school just got a new head and lets just say I am not happy w the change, so I am a bit nervous with the announcement. We are in the middle of 11+ so do not know if she got in, but not ideal if she does get in and we need to make decisions.....

She is retiring, I believe - she hasn't been headhunted by another school.

IK181 · 03/01/2023 21:03

I just looked for the report and can only find one which says safeguarding standards 'met'. Could someone point me in the right direction?

IK181 · 03/01/2023 21:07

I have found the dec 21 one now. Not great. Although doubt the head's resignation is linked as the re-inspection was all positive.

Shame as we like the school and are considering it for DD. I look forward to hearing who the new head is. Fingers crossed someone with experience and who can move the school forward.

CJFJ1 · 03/01/2023 22:04

IK181 · 03/01/2023 21:03

I just looked for the report and can only find one which says safeguarding standards 'met'. Could someone point me in the right direction?

www.fhs-sw1.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ISI-Report-Dec-2021-Compliance.pdf

cantkeepawayforever · 04/01/2023 16:47

For ISI to fail a school is a damning indictment - they are a relatively toothless regulator / inspection body, especially when compared to the high (sometimes brutally so) expectations of the state school equivalent. I’d think long and hard about a school which could become bad enough to fail any aspect of an ISI inspection, even if it did then tick the boxes to improve second time round.

sailingsunshine · 04/01/2023 17:24

@cantkeepawayforever , with Epsom I heard they sent in their heavy weight compliance team inspector to accompany the inspecting team. Anyway Epsom have buried the report deep in their website with wording that is on a par with Tiffin boy's dismissal of their recent "good" ofsted rating.

mondaytosunday · 09/01/2023 23:48

You have to look at the details - they promptly addressed the issues and it certainly had no bearing on my sending my daughter there.
The school has expanded and with the Times mention the head is leaving on a high - she has outlined a charitable expedition to fund a scholarship at the school, but there are always going to be rumours about another job.
It will be an attractive school for a new head to take forward.

Creocreo2015 · 12/03/2023 22:51

Hello, please where do you find info regarding independent schools failing in safeguarding? Safety should be a basic expectation I agree. Thank you