Headmaster Kings Worcester

[Badgerooney]

Just reported in the local paper that the Headmaster has left suddenly before the start of term? Statement from the school didn’t offer any thanks etc does anyone know what’s happened? They have appointed an interim head while recruitment for a permanent replacement is underway.

It’s all been quite ridiculous and very stressful! I actually don’t think kings can recover from this for some years. Not properly. Their reputation and numbers are down. There’s no way their fee structure is sustainable on that basis and I fully expect a full vat increase by September 25.
so many red flags were ignored by kings and the board. Teachers were told to shut up and keep quiet. Parents complained to the board and were repeatedly told that the head had their full support. Frankly, I’m glad he’s gone. But even though he has left, there’s too much ground to make up. I’m not sure how people can say the head isnt anything to do with the school. I think it’s everything to do with it. The board are truly in charge and they’ve ignored it. The culture is flawed. We moved to RGS because of it and have found it a far superior, friendly set up with a much better pastoral ethos and an excellent head/leadership team.

It’s been a wonderful place and will continue to be. Don’t listen to the haters. Make your own mind up. Our children and all of their friends have loved, and continue to love every element of their time there. Not every school is the right fit for the parents or the child, no need for people to be so unpleasant and judgemental.

There are plenty of parents and children that do love their experience of the school. You’ve swapped to RGS now, so crack on and stop moaning about a school you’re no longer part of. Your comments have a knock on to people’s jobs, and children’s happiness. Wind it in, and enjoy what you’ve chosen. Live and let live.

Still have one child at kings..

I do totally agree with Mickiehunt123. I don’t know the true facts on what’s gone on with the headmaster and my daughter and friends didn’t have anything to do with him either. They really don’t seem bothered at all that he’s gone. My daughter was at RGS for 5 years, she wasn’t happy there and we personally didn’t rate the school and some of the teachers in the prep and senior school - rude and unprofessional basically. King’s for us all was far superior and she is so much happier there. It also depends on the child and what school suits them at the end of the day. King’s for us all the way and we look forward to a new head coming in.

Well said.
An absolutely great school. My children and all of their friends are so happy there. Had no interaction with the head as he really did not make the school.
the only sad thing about this is it gives the haters an opportunity to have a dig.
However people find fault no matter where they are and every child is different. I have friends with children who left RGS due to bullying and came over and vice versa. overall Kings is a great school and it will only continue to flourish.

Definitely horses for courses - absolutely. In our case, it was direct action of the headmaster that resulted in my child leaving for another school. My comments are based on real solid experience of the man and more than once. More than 3 times. In our case, it was a definite impact on school life and enjoyment of the school which for 12 years prior to that, we had rated highly.

im not a ‘hater’ - far from it. Still one child left on the school. This has been our experience of both schools. People have asked for opinions - so I have provided just that.

Please can someone explain what the specific accusations are about Mr Doodes, apart from the stuff about his appointing a friend to be headmaster of Hawford? I have two children at the school and am worried it was something really serious.

Oh god yes. That was crawl under a stone cringe worthy.

I've asked upthread...it's all very generic. So his social media is a bit cringe...of course it is! Social media IS cringe always! But unsure why he is seen to be such a terrible head. One specific reason please anyone?!

If it was something "really serious", I doubt the school would be even mentioning him on its website announcement about the acting head - which it does. Fair enough, the announcement doesn't thank him for his service, but if a school wanted to hide something / someone that had - let's say, hypothetically - brought the school into disrepute, it usually wouldn't mention them at all but erase their existence from PR / communication altogether such as the school website. They haven't done that here.

Have his two children stayed at the junior schools?

You don’t need to know the specifics to understand this, only a little of his history; this is just the latest in a long-career of short-lived headships. Just ask parents at George Heriot’s in Edinburgh (where he lasted less than a term), or Milton Abbey, where he was so despised pupils would routinely leave roadkill on his study desk.

He will no doubt move into the world of educational consulting, which is a common move for those who disappear like this. Or maybe get a headship in Dubai or China…

Yes, my experience of him was that he was quite charming but a repeated pattern of behaviour is something you can't ignore.

In that case I would suggest that perhaps your DH chooses not to hear the negativity. A bit like the board of governors.

Honestly I can’t quite understand why it needs to be so cloak-and-dagger. What’s he done?

I’ve pmed you.

I'll admit I'm not an expert on the law of libel but I think posters need to be very careful here. The person concerned is clearly identifiable and some of the comments might be considered defamation.

I tend to agree, as a parent considering the school for my child it’s very unnerving not knowing what has gone on here and whether it could happen again.

Well I’m baffled and would like to know more

Have a look on Reddit ….

Oh wow I've just had a look! I'm not that surprised by some of the comments...
So shocked there is a Reddit thread!

One of the comments on the newspaper report (which got deleted) said that after GD's departure from another school in the past, there was actually a Facebook group called 'The doodesgate scandal' which has since been deleted.

A bit concerned to see a suggestion that he installed a friend as head of the prep school and what that might mean.

Most alarming are the suggestions parents were told by the board to go away...not just an issue with the head then is it?