Advice on Chestnut Grove Academy Post Reply

[Leftsideofthecommon]

Hello, having moved fairly recently to the area, and with children currently in primary (one in Y5) we are looking for feedback from parents who have children at Chestnut Grove.

Having had a look during the last open days seemed to have good facilities and it is the nearest school so that has its benefits.

Its over subscribed so obviously popular but we've heard a number of reports of violent bullying (including a stabbing) and have witnessed some fights taking place at the tube station at the end of the school day.

There will always be bullies so interested in how the school deals with it?

[Lil Sebastian]

We are very happy with it.
The staff are enthusiastic and know the children well (I was surprised at how even teachers who see them for one hour a week and have tens of classes made observations that could only apply to my children!).
It's a comprehensive school, so they take children of all abilities, but they get very good results; the curriculum is interesting, modern and designed to stretch all students.

The music department is exciting and inclusive, with lots of opportunities for singing or instrument tuition, an annual musical theatre production and several concerts or outside events; nobody is ever turned down if they would like to participate.
Whether your children like reading, music, sports, art, there is always something going on at lunchtime or after school to allow them to explore their interests, and often children who display an aptitude for a specific topic are invited to additional activities; my children have learned new skills and forged great friendships through shared interests.

I am not sure where you heard about the stabbing, but it's definitely not true!
Bullying does happen, like it happens everywhere, but as far as I know the school handles it properly. Last year we flagged up a case of low-level bullying and they handled it sensitively and proportionately.
Likewise, some kids will mess around in class, but they are not allowed to get away with it, so I never got the feeling that this prevents anyone from learning.

Finally, several members of staff send their children to the school; I think this speaks for itself!

[MeAgain]

Highly recommend the school, which is getting better by the year.
Teachers are inspiring, facilities are brilliant, kids are a vibrant mix of skills and abilities.
And in the years we've been at the school (Yr 7-Upper Sixth), we never experienced severe bullying or heard of a stabbing.

[betsyboop]

not a parent but all is hear that it's been getting better and better. 

I vaguely remember a stabbing, but that was outside of the school and would have been around 2015. I am not sure it involved kids from the school either. 

[Spenner]

It’s an outstanding school. The teachers are incredibly dedicated and pick up on things without being asked. The sports facilities are not as extensive as at private schools but you can make that up outside school if it matters a lot to you. And their Oxbridge results are outstanding in recent years across a range of science and arts subjects, which shows they have a lot of good teachers. Mainly I’m happy that my children who are there at the moment are very happy. It seems to turn out very confident and articulate kids.