Rutherford House School Resignations Post Reply

[Cronut]

So I need some help, especially from prospective parents who are waiting to see if they get RHS as their first choice next month…

On Thursday whilst walking past ABC I met quite a few upset parents. It seems as if

1. both reception class teachers have resigned midway through the year,
2. the head has also resigned (leaving at the end of the year)
3. the previous year’s reception teachers are no longer there either

What does this all mean??- When we visited during one of the open days, we really liked the school, hence putting it as first choice, but now I am so confused! Should we take the place if offered, or is this all a sign of a failing school…

And then I find out yesterday that the company that runs the school has had a disaster with their other free school in North London!

Not the best weekend for me, I would appreciate some advice from others in the same boat as me!
Help

[Reb]

Hi there,

I appreciate your concern and, as a prospective RHS parent too, I would like to know more.

However, we also visited the school and put it as our first choice, no doubt for many of the same reasons you did, and I'm not sure a change in staff means the school is failing. Alderbrook was the only school I visited twice and many of the teachers seemed different the next time. Teachers in London probably do move around?

We felt the current head was probably "a safe pair of hands" but she was in no way a leading factor in our decision . The catchment for the second intake was reduced dramatically enough to indicate it was fast becoming many peoples first choice and we got a good feeling looking around the school.

I'm very happy to talk to you in mid April when we know the decision (we may not even get our choice!) and we can see how the land lies then?

R

[Medway]

In my opinion, these resignations should lead to the LOUD clanging of alarm bells in the heads of prospective parents. Resignation of the headteacher after less than 2 years in post and resignation of BOTH reception teachers half way through the year indicates very strongly there is an issue. My gut feel is it is to do with the management of the school by the operating company. Many local people were very sceptical about this school and the rush to it when it first opened (I refer you to a thread I started in late 2012). I personally could not understand how parents of the first cohort preferred to believe the promises/ reassurances of a profit making education company rather than the proven results of local primary schools. We have a general election coming up in a matter of weeks, who knows what will happen to education policy after that?! If I had a child due to enter reception this September I would avoid RHS at all costs.

[cocomama]

It's easy to say 'would avoid RHS at all costs' but that's not very helpful when the admissions deadline has passed and many parents will have put RHS as one of if not their top choice. We were anxious enough about the school decisions next month without this added into the mix.

[Medway]

It is easy to say that, I suppose, but the original poster was asking for opinions of others regarding the seriousness of the situation. Practical advice I can offer is maybe call Wandsworth Council and find out what happens if you do get your first choice but no longer want it. The fact that this information regarding the staff was not known before your made your school applications is important as had you known you may have made a different choice. Will Wandsworth council hold you to a decision that you made without holding all the relevant facts? (if you choose to believe that the resignations were already received before the application deadline....)

[cocomama]

All really good points Medway

[Caeil]

Has anything actually been confirmed by the school?

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi
I've asked Bellevue Education (via Twitter) for their comments on this thread, I'll post any response I get here.

Tks everyone

A

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi
As an FYI no response yet but I have also tweeted the CEO Mark Malley.

Will keep you posted!

[commissionerfordo]

I have emailed Rutherford House about this, as we actually looked around the school on an open morning today (we are considering offering on a house in the catchment area) and then came on here to do some further research only to read this!

We thought as above that the head seemed like a safe pair of hands but probably not a major selling point one way or the other.

Generally we thought the school seemed quite nice with a good atmosphere and the kids seemed happy. The head spoke a lot about the future and how they will change the building as the school expands, but I guess she was unlikely to openly say she would be leaving at an open morning for prospective parents.

I would be interested to know any other views on the school. We would be applying for the 2016 intake.

[Mum2Monkey]

Hi

I don't have children at the school but have friends who do.

Head teacher resigned as she commutes in from outside London and since she wants to start a family, this long commute isn't viable. She gave the school enought notice to find a new head and there hasn't been any falling out

I am not sure about this years teachers but the one who did last year was due to family issues I believe

All the parents I know love the school and speaking to a friend yesterday, that doesn't seem to have changed. The PTA is really strong and the Trust also have strong views and they haven't changed so I'm not sure how much the ethos of the school will. But maybe I am being naive.

[commissionerfordo]

Thanks Mum2monkey, that is encouraging.

I thought I heard the head say at the open morning that she lived in Wimbledon, but if she wants to start a family then that's fair enough.

I will post when/if I get a reply from the school.

[Mum2Monkey]

Not sure about Wimbledon! My friend seems to think she lives in Surrey or Sussex - or at least that there is where her husband is. Either way, it doesn't sound particularly sinister and she is apparantly openly sad to be leaving. Could all be a front, but current parents don't seem worried. But then odd that none have posted a response on here for you!

[Medway]

This thread has had 1934 views and yet not a single Rutherford parent has come out with an opinion on this. It would be great to hear whether or not these resignations are true and what personal perceptions of the school are...it is an anonymous forum after all. The last major thread of RHS there were plenty of parents who were posting strongly positive reviews, please do come back again and help others with their difficult decision.

[simplybusy]

Hi, I'm happy to comment. I have a child at the school in reception and am genuinely really happy with the school thus far. The teaching is brilliant and the school community is a really inclusive and proactive group. It is a risk to accept a placement in a start up school but I am very happy we did (in fact Rhs was number 2 on our application after St anselms).

The recent announcements haven't changed my point of view at all and I've discussed it with many parents who have a similar view to me. Schools in London in particular will have a turnover of staff, and while it is not ideal there are genuine reasons for the departures. The teachers will be greatly missed however they have some great teachers already in place to take the classes forward.

My main concern is my child's happiness, the quality of learning and well rounded experience of schooling - and Rhs is excelling in these areas in my opinion. The added bonus of a proactive parent community and many after school clubs and care options to allow my husband and I greater flexibility with work is icing on the cake.