My Experience at Harris Academy East Dulwich

[clicka]

My Experience at Harris Academy East Dulwich

I was reading the East Dulwich Forum last night and was surprised at all the negativity that is being thrown at Harris as a brand and actually at the East Dulwich Academy. So I thought I?d give an honest opinion from a father who has a child that attends the academy.

We live in a bit of no man?s land when it comes to primary schools because we live very close to Peckham Rye Park ? basically a big void where there are no schools. Our 6 choices were Goodrich, Ivydale, Fairlawn, Horniman, John Stainer, & Heber. We didn?t get an offer at any of these and actually ended up getting a place at St Francis of Cabrini. We went to an open day at St Francis and we knew that it was not the place to send our child ? we?re not Catholic and we did not want our child to be bought up in a single faith school (our choice alone - not a reflection on the school), as great as St Francis is and no matter how diverse the population at the end of the day it is a Catholic school and it teaches Catholic beliefs and that was not for us. It will be for others and I haven't any doubt they will be happy there.

Luckily we already knew about the East Dulwich Academy opening and we had also applied for the school. We were delighted that we got a place because it meant we would not have to send our child to the Catholic school (please note: I have nothing against Catholicism or St Francis of Cabrini, it was just not the place for us, I?m sure there are hundreds of happy kids and parents that attend that school). However, we were also disappointed that we didn?t get any of our preferred choices (and we were some way down the waiting list on them all as well). But it was what it was ? we had a place at Harris and we either had to embrace it or go all military and engineer a way of getting our child into a different school. We decided to embrace it, and I must say that we are very pleased that we did.

The Gossip?..

The Headmaster left. Yes this is true, Mr Hoyte did leave, and he was very emotional when he did and he vowed to keep in touch and help with the development of the kids. I asked my child if they were happy or sad that Mr Hoyte was leaving, and the answer was ?I?m sad?. Mr Hoyte left a very good impression on the kids. I don?t know why he left so I?m not going to go there. I?m also not that bothered if I?m being perfectly honest. Mr Hoyte didn?t teach my child, sure he got involved but it is the teachers that do the teaching not the headmaster, and I am delighted with my child?s teacher. Indeed, one of the advantages of only being a one year intake is that all the kids know all the teachers and teaching assistants and vice versa, my child often talks (always very highly) of all the teachers and assistants.

One of the teachers left. Yes this is also true. Mr Behn left un-expectantly just before the start of the current term. This is rather more worrying than the headmaster leaving because it is the teachers that keep the continuity with the children. However, for whatever reason, Mr Behn was on an agency contract and therefore was able to resign a lot easier than a teacher on a contract with the Academy. Mr Behn was from Canada and he has taken up opportunities back in Canada (I believe), I wish him luck and thank him for his time at the school. My child really liked Mr. Behn (?he was funny?) and he was very good at teaching Maths.

Rather than criticise the school for this, I?m perhaps biased as my child attends the school, but instead am going to focus on how quickly a replacement teacher was found. I believe the teacher will also teach the children next year rather than the new reception in take so in reality the children have (by virtue of Mr. Behn leaving) already started their transition to next year. If another teacher resigns ? yes I will be very concerned, but let?s be honest with ourselves, people resign from their jobs every day ? this is not a rare occurrence.

There are pushy parents. I?m not a school gate parent, I don?t drop my child off for 8:45am and don?t pick up at 3:30pm, so I can?t really comment on this. What I can say is that I believe there is a good community of parents who on the whole get on (there will always be some differences of opinions ? we all come from different walks of life ? but that?s good for the kids ? shows diversity right) and we have socialised outside of school time without the kids. There were picnics in the park before school even started ? I didn?t go to any of these so I don?t feel cliques started as a result as I still socialise with the other parents.

Is it bad being a pushy parent? Don?t we all want what is best for our kids? My child has come on leaps and bounds since starting at Harris. Reading, writing, social skills, numeracy ? all been learnt and progressing extremely well, and yes I am pushing my child at home to ensure the learning continues outside of the school hours.

There have been some differences of opinion between parents. This is true. There is a Google group and there are a couple of opinionated parents who are not intimidated in saying what they think (not a bad thing). Between all the kids at the school there are approximately 100 parents, only 3-4 of these have had a difference of opinion. I?m certain that this would be the same at every school. The difference is, from talking to parents from other schools, they don?t even have a Google group (or equivalent) where parents can communicate with each other in the first place.

The Reservations?

No older kids for role models. I note that a lot of parents are concerned that there are no older kids for them to look up to as role models ? fortunately for each new years intake this gets less of an issue. I had this issue and I will admit it is still an issue for me, but I do not think, at least at the moment that this has had an effect on my child. So yes, I understand the reservation but I have just accepted it, and it is my duty as a parent to get my child involved in extracurricular activities and clubs in order to experience activities with older peers, so this is actually forcing me to ensure I broaden my childs learning so I am actually quite pleased with this.

Also, no matter what a head teacher tells you, the school is judged on year 6 and the headmaster will funnel the majority of their time and effort on those kids. For now, Harris East Dulwich does not have a year 6, so although no older role models for the kids, the plus side is that the headmistress has time to concentrate on and get to know ALL the kids in each year. Miss Conduit (the new Headmistress) knows all of the children by name and is involved with all of them, and although my child was sad when Mr Hoyte left, my child is as happy with Miss Conduit as before with Mr. Hoyte. I?m pleased with her presence around the school.

Ask anybody who goes to Goodrich how often they see the Headmaster and how easy it is to get time with him. Not a criticism, just a fact that he has to concentrate more on Year 6. And he is doing a great job at a great school - after all Goodrich was my first choice and I was disappointed my little one didn't get space there last September. He has great teachers whoso the teaching and leave hi to run the school. Just saying that until Harris has been established for a few years the current head has more time to speak to parents and have more presence.

Limited Space. Yes, this is something I am concerned about. This year?s classes will move into what is currently being used as a dinner hall and morning/ breakfast club, so the new intake will have the current classrooms. The rooms are ideal as classrooms, so that is not an issue. The issue is where will they eat and where will the clubs be held? I?m sure the school will sort this issue out ? they have to. So although concerned, I?m not worried. In fact the only thing I am worried about is the outside space with an additional 60 kids, not sure how they will resolve is, especially as the school encourages outside learning.

The new school building. I?m not entirely up to speed on this so can?t really comment on how far the school is from planning permission and the build starting. However, what I do know is that unless there are any major issues with the build, the time to knock down and build a new school is actually a lot quicker than you think, especially if it is being done by a company that specialises in it. In my opinion, this has to built by September 2016, at the latest, for the third year of intake. It has to, there simply will not be enough room for three years of children in the current set up. It has to happen, and therefore I believe it will happen, if not sooner. The Harris brand, like it or not, cannot fail and therefore I?m certain they will be doing all they can to ensure this happens.

The Advantages?

1. Currently a better than required ratio of teachers to children

2. The school has to succeed, so if it does start failing (and I don?t think it will) surely the Harris brand will throw money at it to ensure it doesn?t

3. The children have the latest equipment to help with their learning ? and its new ? its not yet been passed down from generation to generation

4. It?s a small school (currently) so it?s a lot easier for the parents to get on and ask questions to each other and socialise ? I?ve made some very good friends through the school (and hope to make more)

5. When it eventually moves it will be in a state of the art building. I wouldn?t be surprised if in the next few years, simply due to its location that it becomes the sort after school in the area, so I?m pleased my child is there already to help mould what the school becomes.

6. The headmistress doesn?t have a year 6 to focus on so has more time for the younger years ? this really is worth its weight in gold in my opinion.

7. If your child is a little shy or nervous, being in a smaller school will be less daunting and their nervousness will no doubt blossom into confidence each year as the school gets bigger.

8. Breakfast Club / Afterschool Club ? a lot of established schools have a long waiting list for these, with a smaller pupil base the likelihood of getting a place in either of these is a lot easier.

So there we go. An honest opinion from an honest parent who has a child already attending Harris East Dulwich. My child is happy, my child is learning, my child has made lots of friends many of which I hope will be for life. The headmistress appears dedicated, she has the time to get to know all the children. The teachers are good. It?s a fun place to be whilst learning.

Bear in mind, I think, nobody who attends the school currently put it down as first choice, but I?m sure if you asked? the vast majority are happy. There will be parents who are unhappy ? but is that not the case in every school all over the country?

If you have a place for next year I don?t think you will be disappointed. And I for one look forward to meeting you and going for a few social beers, after all this is an opportunity for both the children and the parents to increase their social circles and it?s a lot easier when there are less of us.

I?m happy to answer any questions new parents may have.

Good luck.

[Bisou]

Thank you.

[intexasatthe moment]

But if everyone added "I do not wish this to become a debate, this is just my opinion." at the end of their post and everyone else went along with it and thought " right ,no debate " it would be a strange forum wouldn't it ?

" Forum = a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged."

edited to say I wrote above thinking this was a thread in the General section . So guess I can understand that it's just a post for info to other parents .

[Monkey]

I think we are perhaps all in danger of over thinking this a wee bit too much? It's just primary school. In my school, Dd often has to wait her turn, sometimes (often?) other children take priority, she does encounter "enormous" children and is great friend with them, the head does not stand in the very same place at the very same time everyday as he is busy running an enormous, multi cultural, vibrant school. And guess what, she's happy, I am happy, and yes she can read and count despite me not chatting to the head every day!

I know it's a stressful time for new parents but please don't feed the angst. It's a nice area, the schools are ok. The kids will be all right.

[clicka]

Hey Monkey - maybe missed my point a bit. :-)

The majority of the schools in the area are great. I was gutted I did not get any of my six choices. Getting schools is a stressful time. All I wanted to do was put parents minds at rest that if they got Harris and it wasnt their choice there really is nothing to worry about, its as good as the other schools. I was not trying to say in any way it is better than any other school, it merely has as many advantages as it does disadvantages by being a new school over the other schools in the area.

Decisions have been made, schools have been allocated, i just hoped it helped those parents whose kids will be attending Harris. And to be honest, even if it helps just one parent - I'm happy.

[Monkey]

I know - it's these constant lists that are getting to me!

[ksh]

Thanks Clicka.

[Dude909]

Clicka, thank you so much for your post and taking the time to write it. My child starts in September and we are all really looking forward to being a part of the school

[JAJ]

Really pleased it has worked out for you - all schools have staffing issues and I'm sure things will settle down. Completely understand why you felt Francesca Cabrini wasn't for you. But as a (non Catholic) parent there, I feel duty bound to stand up for them on the multicultural point (since the school has been mentioned). The school couldn't really be more diverse. In my sons class there are kids off Scottish, Polish, Chinease, English, African and Spanish descent and my daughters reception class is similarly eclectic. Realise faith schools arn't for everyone. But overall we've personally been pleased with it, particularly the outdoor space. And our kids have been very happy and secure there. They have an alotment, fruit alley and full time gardener who works with the kids. There are chickens and rabbits, which the kids get lots of interaction with. There's a competition this week for the kids to find a name for the new rabbits. And the chickens eggs are collected up by the kids and served up at breakfast club. It's really not that bad!

[Petal17]

Another big thumbs up for Cabrini from a very satisfied (non-Catholic) parent. Excellent teaching, the kids develop a strong appetite for learning and are supportive of each other, and the gardening & small animal themes are great fun.

[clicka]

Hi JAJ & Petal17

I think you maybe missing the point of my post. I am not promoting Harris as being better than any other school and I'm not putting down any other school in the area. All I am doing is rest assuring anybody who has been offered a place at Harris East Dulwich next year who maybe concerned due to a lot of bad publicity both the brand and the school have had on this forum.

As I understand it the allocations for next year have been done so I'm not even influencing anybody to put Harris down as a choice. So I do find it odd that people have to add comments about other schools on this thread. Although I must say - how cool is it to have chickens in the school, defo something I'll be bringing up as a suggestion for Harris.

However, Thank you for your comments, especially as they are positive but they may have been better added to a thread that helps those parents who have been offered a space at St Francesca - I think they would certainly help any parents who had doubts over being offered a space there.

Perhaps you could start a thread entitled My Experience at St Francesca Cabrini. Maybe other parents could do the same for their schools.

Edited to correct spelling - thanks sunbob 😀

[sunbob]

It's Francesca not Francis. The school was established by and named after a female.

[JAJ]

Well Clicka, I see that the comment which I picked up on yesterday on your 'multicultural' point in relation to Cabrini has today being edited out, along with other several other changes. It's great that you have such loyalty to your school and your kids have been happy there. I just think it's a shame when you have to drag other schools into the equation in the process.

[clicka]

Hi JAJ, you are correct, I have amended my post based on your comments. The reason I did this was because it clearly caused you some concern in so much that you had to add a comment. This was not my intention so based on your feedback I edited my post. Like I said before the post was merely to help other parents who have a place at Harris get an insight into the school from somebody whose child attends. It was in no way meant to put any other school down. Just wished you'd PM'd me to let me know your feelings and I would have also changed the post based on your comments.

It's a pity that I'm made the villain when all I'm trying to do is help.

This is getting a wee bit petty now, would you prefer I delete the post?

[Bisou]

I understood your initial post and did not think you were in anyway attacking any other school.

As a would be Harris parent thanks for your imput.

[JAJ]

Please don't remove your post. It's clearly something you are very passionate about,and I realise your intentions are good. But I can't help but raise my eyebrows at a thread about a particular school beginning with 10 lines about another one. And then for your comment which I picked up on in relation to multiculturalism to then be edited retrospectively. I welcome lively debate - your comments didn't cause offence and don't warrant editing. But it did warrant a retort.

[clicka]

Thanks Bisou, the last thing I wanted to do was to bad mouth any schools in any way, and I feel I've done the right thing by amending the post based on other forum items feedback. We're very lucky that there is an abundance of good primary schools in the area, it's just unfortunate that there is a big void in the area in which if you live you won't get any of your choices - that was certainly the case for me. We ended up at Harris, and I won't lie, we were gutted we didn't get a place at Goodrich especially since my child already attended the nursery there.

But I can honestly say that having been at Harris this year I'm very pleased with the school and I think (hope) it will be as good as the other schools we initially tried to get places at.

[Petal17]

Clicka - this is a forum which by definition involves debate and exchange of views. You write that it's 'odd that people have to add comments on other schools to this thread'. Your original post gave your views on my child's school, and I simply gave my views on that school - a perfectly normal part of forum behaviour!

[clicka]

fair enough. But at the end of the day I meant no harm, I thought I was doing some good, at no point did I say one primary was better than another and no derogatory comments were made. I'm sorry if anybody interpreted the wrong way.