Experiences of Rutherford House Post Reply

[Jibberty]

This is very true.

[peppa]

Perhaps Esther will come back to address her comments, they were pretty outrageous! I spat my wine out reading them! If she really is a supporter of the school she has just done more harm than good to it's reputation

[Jibberty]

What a waste of wine.

[LauraBrown]

I'm coming to the conclusion that it sounds so much like someone parodying an unpleasant parental stereotype that perhaps it is someone doing just that!

[Jibberty]

Good grief I hope that is the case. I did muse that perhaps it's a bitter NON parent, for some reason that currently escapes me. Tbh I expect it will always escape me.

[supergirl]

I ve read all the thread and i agree Esther's post is really shocking (havent spat my wine but almost ). But could it be that she is expressing put loud what a FEW are secretely thinking? Not saying that anyone who ve posted on that thread are, but i have come accross a few (only a few) who are actually luke that... I dont know, i am just wondering?
I think secretely some "affluent" people in wandsworth do think like thzt unfortunately.

But needless to say a new school is a new school and 4 weeks is hardly enough time to be judging. Like with everything, it should be given enough tome to grow and to fulfill its promises (or not?). And people should really go and see for themselves!

[Jibberty]

But, but, but....how on earth could people be thinking that bile about RHS when the reality tells a completely different picture. I certainly believe that, sadly, there are people who hold vile views like those, but RHS parents can no more engineer themselves a place there as parents at Belleville, Honeywell and others can.

At risk of boring everyone, one simply has to take a look at the children walking in and leaving at the end of each day, to see what total crap has been spouted. I challenge anyone to dare to say that it is not an inclusive school with a near perfect representation of the area in which we all live.

On another note, thank goodness you're wine is ok.

[Jibberty]

Gah! YOUR. Not bloody you're.

[supergirl]

I agree with you Jibberty but sadly i think there ARE people like that in the area... Read the comments about High View or ask people whzt they think about this school...
In my area of wandsworth/Battersea (not BTC) it is almost as if nothing is worth looking or exist if it is not BV, HW or anything BTC.
So all i m saying is that maybe Esther said out loud what a few think inside? But i agree it is unfair for all the children at RH (and High View).

Yep, my wine is fine and thats good after the day i had

[Jibberty]

Yes, I agree there are people like that sadly. I saw the High View comments and was equally appalled - I have some great friends with children there. And your BTC comments are spot on, and that is one of the reasons I moved away from there. Give me Balham any day.

[Sugar'nSpice]

This thread is so very sad. It once again exposes how fragmented our community /society is!

[Medway]

It seems to me that those who are happy are very happy, and that is really good. As you say it is a very new school and small at present. I can completely understand however (i have 2 older children) that feeling about playground cliques - it can be v uncomfortable for some parents if you feel out of it (even adults can feel sensitive to and paranoid about gossip and exclusive groups after all). It does happen EVERYWHERE, but I imagine at the moment as the school is so small - if you are out of the 'in' crowd it is very obvious.

At times this thread has gone a bit mumsnet (short hysterical posts, swearing and the spitting out of wine in outrage ) - but I respect what Esther09 has had the courage to admit - and I agree with Supergirl she is expressing out loud an uncomfortable truth that no-one wants to admit (especially in an internet forum). I believe what she says and know of at least 2 couples who told me they came out of Rutherford open meetings with this impression of 'private for free', something 'different' (nudge nudge) to the ethnically diverse other local schools ...I believe them when they said this. I am certain there are others of you out there reading this who know what I mean, although you may not want to admit it (and fair enough) I have also had a couple of mums boasting about the Hunter wellies, and how their kids are going foraging on the Common (which made me smile, I do hope they are not foraging for food ).

The other thing that strikes me is we have had 2-3 mentions (I forget now exatly how many) comments about this Governor going round trying to get people to rent near th school, and whispering 'insider' knowledge to others. That would worry me, Governors should respect the spirit of the confidential meeting. Will they also be gossiping after the Governing Body have dealt with sensitive matters about a child's special needs or behaviour or the performance of a member of staff? Careless talk costs - and can end up on the internet...

If there are 2-3 families who are considering removing their kids, then there is something up... I will still go and look, but by the looks of it we won't get in anyway if the catchment shrinks so much.

)

[Mumisme]

I have been looking at all the conversation and have held back from further comment. However I am concerned that these comments about a Governor, of which i think there are 5 or so, are unfair and possibly slanderous. I know 2 of them and they have been monitoring this and are deeply upset. Neither of them would ever promote renting nearby although they have heard about it and they are sure that none of their fellow Governors would either. The only feedback i have heard is their enthusiasm to help. It is a sad situation that when people devote their time freely to help a school succeed they become a target for unsubstantiated gossip.
As for my family, as I said before my daughter is very happy and she has struggled in the past at pre school and has really enjoyed the nuturing environment. Until this discussion I had not experienced any cliques and hope I still won't. Everone has been very friendly and certainly plan to continue saying Good morning and Afternoon to everyone I meet and hope that the school remains the happy inclusive place I have felt it to be so far.

[Jibberty]

* Medway* with respect, does the fact (and actual figures) that the reality is entirely different not show that the school is ethnically diverse to you? That this is not the White British school Esther says that it is? Which part of the actual picture are you not understanding.

And as for cliques, as with ANY school, anywhere, there are people who actually know each other and have done since their children were much younger. It is natural for them to talk to each other,but they are in no way 'cliquey'. I knew two children and their parents - from previous nurseries, but I have never felt excluded or intimidated by other parents who happen to know each other. Anything but.

I am really upset by the suggestions that Esther is speaking only what others think. If that is the case then I'd respectfully suggest that they take their racist and bigoted views to another school because that is not what Rutherford House is about.

Oh, and I'm not sure that hysterical is the correct description. Forthright, passionate posts defending slanderous slurs yes. We are adults after all.

[mummo]

I did think after posting that maybe Esher's views were her own ideologies projected onto RH. The Governor being involved and promoting these ideas (both the white British and the rental suggestion) is obviously a serious matter for the school and Wandsworth council to address if this is indeed the case.

Maybe this thread will make Esher (and others who as Supergirl pointed out are out there but not so brave as to post their views) seriously re-examine their position and a few bubbles might get burst? Let's hope so.

As someone else pointed out, a lot of people have given their time to setting this school up, clearly there is a need for more school places, so for the good of everyone, let's hope it proves to be a successful, inclusive and thriving school.