Rutherford House School Resignations Post Reply

[simplybusy]

Just thought I'd add - I've used the site before but never posted until today! I just think it's good to have an existing parents opinion. Hope I've helped!

[Sfish]

I am also parent of a child in reception at RHS and I think people have delayed replying on this website until we had all of the facts. I can confirm points one and two from the original post. The head teacher Mrs Thompson announced her departure months ago, and it is purely for personal reasons as she is relocating and it has no reflection on the school. Replacing her will be hard as she is amazing and very dedicated to the school with 100% integrity. The loss of two reception teachers before the summer term is gutting and bad luck for us, the school has communicated with the parents and has convened a meeting with parents, the Govenors and the Trust to discuss the situation. Whilst I am not happy with the circumstances, I recognise in London these things happen and I am sure the children will adapt easily. They have recruited two very good teachers and I am sure the high standard of teaching will remain. I am still behind the school 100 % and hope to send our other daughter there in due course. There is a great parent force supporting the school and I believe my daughter is developing well and it’s a supportive caring enriched learning environment. And like the previous poster, she's happy and that’s really the most important point. Check out the newsletter to see what they have been up to http://www.rutherfordhouseschool.co.uk/ ... t3k=&sort= The school is still a start-up and I think its brilliant what its managed to achieve in 2 years, there are things we can improve on but that’s to be expected.

Choosing a school is a very personal decision and I know it's very stressful time. The head teacher the Trust have articulated that they will be happy to answer anyone's concerns going forward. Hope that helps.

[Pud1]

Very balanced and informative posts swish and simply busy.

[Azilal10]

Hi, I too am a parent of a child in reception at RHS. I would like to wholeheartedly concur with the previous posts from other RHS parents.

As parents, my husband and I are 100% in support of the school and everything they do with the children. Whilst there are clearly areas in need of some fine-tuning (as any start up experiences) the education and welfare of the children is most definitely at the forefront of everything the staff and Trust do at and for the school, and is without doubt of an excellent standard.

The children who attend the school love it there, enjoy learning and are delightful, happy little people. This is also reflected through the close relations between the parents across both Reception and Year One and the level of commitment and support that the school receives on all levels from the parents.

I think it is also very important to remember that there are a number of other staff and teachers at the school who have been there from the start and remain 100% dedicated to their jobs. I would like to take this opportunity to say that they are truly AMAZING at what they do and their effort and enthusiasm is outstanding.

As previously mentioned I think the lack of comment from RHS parents until today was because we were waiting to attend a meeting with the Staff/Governors/Trust this morning to garner all the correct information about the situation before commenting to a wider audience.

As SFish says, choosing a school for your child is, of course, a personal decision, but I am happy to put my stake in the ground and say only positive things about Rutherford House School.

To reiterate something that Claire Delaney (Trust Leader) said in our meeting this morning, if any prospective parents have any questions or concerns that they'd like to discuss, she as the Trust Leader, Gina Thomson as the Head Teacher, or Wandsworth Council (who are fully abreast of everything) are all available via email or telephone to discuss any questions or concerns directly.

Of course, this is just my opinion as a current RHS parent, but I do hope it is useful in some way.

[upsidedownmummy]

Hello - I'm also a parent of a child in Reception at RHS and just wanted to say we are also very happy with the school. It was our first choice and we are very pleased with our decision.

The Reception teachers leaving is not ideal but as previously said these things do happen and the school, the head and the Trust have managed the situation very well, communicated professionally with parents and have replacement teachers to take the early years department forward.

One of the major strengths at RHS are the parents who are a very proactive, hands on bunch and all the children seem really happy and love going to school.

[commissionerfordo]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

All sounds reasonable with the departures, if slightly unfortunate. But good to read so many positive comments about the school. It will be fascinating to hear what happens with the Ofsted visit which I understand is likely in the next 6 months.

[backtoworkmum]

I too have a child in reception and am very happy with the school. As previously stated, the children are happy, delightful and, speaking for my child and others I know, are thriving in the environment. Yes teachers leaving is unfortunate, but this can happen at any school - remember that the teachers were young Londoners. It's not unusual to have a higher turnover than the national average. I have absolute faith in the trust to hire a fantastic head teacher - it's a start up school that, yes, has had some teething problems, but what an exciting position for a head to take on. The ethos will be maintained by whoever joins the team. The school is striving for excellence and I truly believe that between the trust, the teachers and the parent body (who are very supportive, involved and care deeply about the school, hence the support you will find from the parents of RHS on this forum) that it will be a remarkable place to send your children. Please don't be put off by these teething problems - it was my first choice school and still would be if I had a child down for this sept entry.
It really is a lovely school and I feel so lucky to have it on our doorstep. Good luck!

[balhamite]

Thanks for all the insights. We too have put Rutherford House down as our first choice for September so are reading this with interest.
Just wondering what reason has been given for the reception teacher resignations as it does seem a bit too much of a coincidence to lose them both less that 2 years into the job after losing the head as well? Is there a feeling that there is a conflict between the staff and the trust?

Thanks

[backtoworkmum]

We believe that one of the teachers had some time off before Xmas due to personal reasons so I think her departure was entirely separate to the other teacher - honestly just bad timing. I think in the other teacher's case it may have been a bit too much pressure - it's a new school striving for excellent results and of course, in the early stages, this can cause problems in terms of what is expected of the staff. We have been reassured by the trust that they are increasing the staff members significantly - a new head, assistant head, several support staff, the new teachers, etc. The school offer many after school clubs (which is amazing, a really comprehensive selection) for which they will now have a greater pool of staff to run them, as opposed to just a handful in the past two years. Again, alleviating the work load and pressure. I do feel that communication will now improve between the trust, teachers and parents - which is key to ensure a happy workforce and parent body. I think the new staff may well be better informed as to what is expected of them and given more support from all involved with the school. Don't forget there are many staff working at the school who have been there from the start who are happy and thriving. These resignations are unconnected and just plain bad luck! Good luck all.

[balhamite]

Thanks a lot that is really helpful!

[Biscetti]

Another parent, this time Year 1. The Head's husband actually lives in Hampshire, which is quite the commute really. Mrs Thomson has been an amazing Head and while she will be dearly missed, all parents fully understand her totally reasonable decision. We also, as other posters have said, have full confidence in Claire Delaney and BPET in appointing a new Head.

Our Deputy Head/first Reception teacher will also be returning from her maternity leave this term. The two new Reception teachers have got off to a positive start, and indeed spent a lot of time at the school last term to make the transition as smooth as possible.

My child remains hugely happy and excited to learn at Rutherford House and I still have no hesitation at all in recommending the school to all prospective parents.

[VarkB]

I would be really interested to hear parents views of what is happening at Rutherford House now the dust has settled on the resignations. I understand a new head has been appointed. We're on the waiting list and just trying to work out if it is the best place to go (if we get in)

[olivetree]

Hi

My child will be starting reception at Rutherford House in September. I had been getting a little nervous following the news of all of the resignations but we went to an induction morning at the school last week and I was pretty impressed and felt good about my choice. My little one spent an hour and a half in the reception classroom with the teachers and loved it.

[falconmum]

So now that the dust is settling, any movement on the catchement distances for the school? We are between Bec and Broadway and I am anxious for next year.

[VarkB]

We also live between Bec and Broadway, near the church, and my son has just got in having started at no. 13 on the waiting list.