bettyorange

Thanks for posting this JMK we have had 3 children at Charter East so have been involved with the school from the very early days and have watched the impact of inconsistent, unsupportive and at worst unprofessional and biased management on them over the years. Individual teachers have at times been great and as JMK says it is the overall structure that creates a toxic and punitive atmosphere which directly impacts some families more than others and these are the kids overwhelmingly that have an SEN. The experience of these families is night and day compared with the families with children that can cope in this system.

Old thread i know but just wanted to say that we have taken our youngest son out of Charter East now as he was so unhappy, nose diving academically, finding it hard to make positive connections and as a family we just could not watch his self esteem plummet any further. We decide to opt for homeschooling via Minerva MVA online academy. It's pretty positive so far and early days but we are hugely relieved to be out of what had for us become a toxic system.

Hi we are looking at Minerva online school for our year 10 son. Seems like a bit of a leap of faith and the cost is a real issue but he so unhappy in mainstream and i'm thinking a whole new learning system might work for him, still exploring all options but something has to change. Be great if anyone out there has any experience of online provision to share. Many thanks

Deptford Green and Elm Green anecdotally have a more realistic and compassionate to kids differing needs. Whether that is still the case i'm not sure. Having 3 boys at Charter i would seriously consider a boys school if you have them, Charter East really aren't geared up for the different educational needs of some boys and the challenging behaviour this frustration leads to. I have heard amazing things about St Thomas the Apostle boys school.

Hi has anyone got any feedback for good sixth form college recommendations? My son is being a bit vague about subject areas but i think would benefit from a more independent learning environment so i'm looking for a generally positive and supportive environment where he feels part of something and learns some skills post GCSE's. He can travel out of the area so any feedback very gratefully received!

That's weird 2 years ago it was definitely one or the other not both. My son is at East doing A levels, i would say that generally there are some great teachers there and the kids form good relationships with their subject teachers but for me the overall management and crushing yet inconsistent behavioural policy really affects their day to day experience of learning. They are expected to attend the dreaded tutor time every morning even though they may not not have a lesson until much later, some kids might manage this but it gets very frustrating in the end. Maybe the same at North.

hi we are considering the out of school options for our son in year 10 as school is really not working out for him. Some of the online options look pretty good but i am worried he might feel isolated. Just wondered whether anyone has any experience of patching something like this together for this age group? Any advice gratefully received.

Hi does anyone have any feedback for Deptford Green at the mo? I'm thinking of moving my dyslexic son there but he is year 10 and i haven't seen it for a few years. It seems to have.a different head? Any advice gratefully received.

Definitely agree with all of the above, i would advise anyone who has children who are not super academic and especially those with an SEN. to avoid! Charter East does not nurture it's children and operates a punitive behavioural policy which penalises SEN kids to the point of exclusions. The music, PE and art and drama department are woeful and the whole place is essentially oppressive. There are however some wonderful teachers there, at the moment. But seems to be a steady stream of male teachers leaving including the amazing deputy head which will be a huge loss. This school really has not found its feet since Mr Crossman left and i would seriously think twice if you have creative SEN boys especially.