martspec

Champion Hill: As I've already made my point (also because I am definitely not interested in gossip, politics or supporting any anti Harris sentiments)I had no intention of making another comment on this thread. But.....as you have signed up just to respond to my comments I feel it is only polite for me to respond to you too. I'm not sure what you are trying to get across via your rant??? Do all head teachers & school teachers not work hard plus many even have have their own children.I believe the last headteacher also worked hard unless you know different? Just to clarify, all I was doing is giving prospective parents another perspective by sharing my friend's experience of this school.As I have already stated, my friend is unhappy & feels the school was better before all the changes & uncertainty. She is unhappy to lose the last head teacher as well as a class teacher within a short time.She wants her child (if she can find another suitable school) to continue her education else where.She feels intimidated by some parents at this school so does not want to be targeted by them & is happy for me to share this on her behalf.While some people feel this is a great school, she does not!Parents should make up their own minds about what is right for their child.Whether your child starts at this school or another one, as a parent I can say that sometimes you only get a feel for a school & how it operates once your child is at the school.Maybe this time next year you will also be looking for another school or maybe you will be happy with your choice. Best of luck to all parents with their choice of school.Have a nice day!

Norfolkvillas - You are correct I did specifically join to comment on this thread after reading the comments. But that does not make any of my views less valid than anybody else's.Why are you so worried about prospective parents hearing about other parent's experiences of this school? Surely it's not just all the happy people who are allowed to have a say? Parents are entitled to make their own decisions based on what they feel is right for their child. Having a close friend as a parent at this school, living in the area & being a parent myself allows me to make these observations on this forum. An organisation gets a bad reputation from bad practice not from comments made on forums.

I'm not interested in any school politics. I do not have any wish to join any anti Harris groups & there is no agenda on my part. Bisou - yes many people are clearly anti Harris, they have a bad reputation & they are slated on a regular basis by the media too. But as I have already stated I am indifferent to the fact that this is a Harris school. My friend is unhappy & she tells me so are many other parents. As a parent myself, It is important to receive a true picture when making such a big decision. It is equally essential to look beyond the spin! Regardless of whether it is this school or another. This particular school has many issues & is not as great as it is keen to make out. The bottom line is to be viable for funding etc, new schools need bums on seats. Whether it's a Harris school or not parents should not be duped into believing whatever spin a school & their handful of supporters churn out. As I have said in my first post parents should do their own research & decide for themselves. Picnics & walks in the park are all great but the important factors need to be addressed such as the future of the school, the quality of education the new children will receive on this temporary site (with no solid dates for the new site) plus addressing real issues why parents are unhappy & willing to uproot their children from a seemingly great school. My friend is aware plus happy I have posted about the school as she wants other parents to understand that there are problems & the school community is far from happy. She has said she feels intimidated by these 'super supportive' parents at the school as do other parents who may have a different opinion from theirs. From these responses, I can actually see her point! We all want the best for our children, please decide what is right for your child. If Harris is your choice than good luck but maybe have a back up plan just in case. Happy Sunday to you all :)

After reading the comments on here about this Harris primary school I think it is important to state some facts about the school. A large number of families are not happy with the school & the changes following the departure of the last head teacher! I understand from a friend who is a parent at this school that one of the two reception teachers has also just left.Families were not informed & only found out when they returned to school after easter break.It's nice that a few of you parents are happy but please do not make these unsuspecting new parents think the school is great when this is far from the truth. My friend said like herself, most families at this school feel worried about the future of this school and find it hard to believe the explanations given by the school. families have already left the school & lots more are planning on doing the same. They don't even have planning for the new site yet & are trying to squeeze in a new intake in the already cramped space.May even have to take all the children to the girls secondary school for lunch every day as the lunch room will be used as a classroom from September. please do your research & do not be duped into believing this school is wonderful. ? My friend is unhappy & desperately trying to find another school for her daughter & she is not alone. The issues will become more obvious in the next few months when more families walk out.