REVIEW Tattler Schools Guide 2023

What made you choose this school for your child? The warmth generated from the teaching staff was apparent from the open day when we first stepped inside the school. The school’s genuine passion for giving the kids the best start in life is infectious whilst translates into an incredibly safe space for the children to be the best versions of themselves. The knowledge that my children can also stay in the same setting through to 18 years old is also a fantastic appeal.

What are the school’s greatest strengths, and why? They care. First and foremost I know that I leave my children every morning with staff who know their names, know their personalities and know their abilities - and each of them (from the catering staff to the school nurse) care about making my children comfortable. In this environment they will be able to thrive. I know that, because every child is recognised as an individual, they also care for my child as a person, not just a pupil. For me, this is essential.

Are there any stereotypes about the school or pupils you’d like dispelled? I don’t know of anything that has been said to be negative about the school.

What is the headteacher like? Mrs S is too good to be true. As a parent at the school’s Foundation herself, she is empathetic to the needs and opinions of the parents, as well as keeping the children’s best interests at heart. She injects excitement into her staff as much as the pupils - but most of all, she commands a level of respect from the children that determines discipline and fun all rolled into one. She has a lot of facetime with the children - often in their classrooms, leading assemblies and with her office in the heart of the school - so she isn’t the scary lady you only see if you’re in trouble. On the contrary, she is at the centre of the magic each day!

Are there any particularly outstanding members of staff? There are many. The literacy and library teacher is a gem. Mrs H is ‘old school’. She is just the type of lady that you’d want to help your kids develop a passion for reading and books. Her library is the epicentre of the school. The music teachers (both permanent and maternity cover) are outstanding. With a focus on giving children confidence through the arts, they make ‘musical theatre’ relevant and fun as well as top notch. The PE teacher, Mrs S, is a force. The children all fear her at first as she’s so loud and excitable - but they all grow to anticipate PE as one of the highlights of the week - from hula-hooping and skateboarding to street dance and zumba.

What is the food like? Are there always healthy options available? Maggie is the Queen of food. The school publish menus every week so parents can be mindful to not feed the same for dinner as they have for lunch, the options are healthy, my children eat vegetarian at school and this is fully respected and catered for, I know school is incredibly aware of other children’s intolerances and the whole school is but free to help any children with allergies. ‘Maggie’s restaurant’ also encourages best manners whilst they eat collectively, with children given the role of ‘lunch time monitor’ and also golden tickets rewarding the best behaviour. It is also seen by school as an excellent way to enhance any cultural moments - to theme lunches for religious festivals (like honey cake at the Jewish New Year and jam and scones for the Queen’s birthday…!) Lunchtime is fun, varied and a great chance for the children to experience the sociability of dining with friends - not just to scoff it up before they hit the playground.

Is sport, art and drama for everyone? Do all pupils get the chance to shine? Everyone is given their opportunity to shine, but mostly importantly, if this isn’t a child’s area of expertise or their main interest in the curriculum, they aren’t pushed into the limelight. There are after school clubs for musical theatre and the Toffee Bear choir for those who want to indulge further, but music lessons and end of term performances and the nativity are key for all kids, whichever level of involvement they want to have.

How good is the school’s pastoral care? Ms V is involved throughout the entire school. She knows every child by name, understands their needs and their likes (and dislikes) and whenever she is involved, it doesn’t feel like an intervention, as she is simply another teacher who can come and be with them in the classroom if they need her. Mrs Broom, the school’s play therapist, is also a wonderful woman. When we recently lost my father, she continuously had an eye on both my children to see if they displayed any effects during the school day. I felt comfortable, as a parent, to approach the school with the situation and it put my mind at ease that there were so many others looking out for my children.

What is the school community like? Mainly local families or a far-flung bunch? How diverse is the school? I would say the majority of the families live within 3 miles of the school. Which means that some families will be neighbours, others a short drive away, and whilst of course there are families who aren’t quite on the school’s doorstop, in NW London we all expect to travel a little anyway. This isn’t an urban school where we make use of public transport for the commute so that is the trade off for lots of green spaces and outdoor facilities. The parent community is stitched together through the Parents Association which historically has been an incredible way to underpin the families’ socialising as well as fundraising for a nominated charity each year. During these uncertain times, the nature of how we socialise has changed, but there have still been opportunities for parents to mix and support each other on and off line. And the school is incredibly diverse - this is one of the points that attracted us to the setting. There is an opportunity to celebrate every cultural moment within school - from minor religious holidays to Black History Month. It is liberating to feel that your children can express their own family practises in the school environment, but also educational for us all when they come home enthused about those of their friends and teachers.

Is there anything else we should know? My children wake up excited to go to school, they learn through play so don’t even realise they are ‘learning’ and they are inspired to be the best versions of themselves. I simply couldn’t fault the setting on its energy, expertise or experience.