Ofsted should seriously reconsider this report which does not reflect the school that we have known for the last 14 years. Our two sons were very happy at Hill House, they are both well rounded, mature, intelligent, independent and considerate teenagers now. We have never known our sons to ever be put at any risk and they have always been well cared for at Hill House. The school does have its quirks and eccentricities and of course some improvements are needed but in no way does it deserve the Ofsted grading it received. Both my sons went onto a very competitive school and their standard of Mathematics and writing are certainly not below national standards - infact they are much higher.
S
Stef Nielen
11 years ago
At the end of the day: It’s the results that count; and clearly the results show. Both our children are at Hill House; and I could say nothing less than that they are confident, happy and progressing on all of their abilities as fast as they can. Each and every day, again and again. So, contrary to what this report might have you believe, they are thriving thanks to the Hill House education. Clearly Ms. Hinds and Ms Patel from Offsted think that this school needs to be run totally different, and they seem to suggest a lot of new rules and record keeping to secure that our children’s progress is guaranteed. To me this all sounds like a lot of bureaucracy and ticking boxes for the sake of ticking boxes, and not focussing at the task at hand – developing your child to his or hers utmost ability. What the ladies fail to see is that these kinds of things do not have to be formalized to the utmost in order to run a good school. They do have to be formalized to score high on an audit though. But, keeping track of our children is what our teachers do all day. And they are quite good at it.
I
Ian Johnston Campbell
11 years ago
Hill House is a fantastic example of how a school should be. Our boy looks forward to everyday at Hill House.
A
Antonia Pritchett-Brown
11 years ago
My husband and I were absolutely appalled by the remarks in the latest Ofsted report. Our daughter, who is now in year 5, has been extremely happy at Hill House. We have absolutely no complaints about the school, only praise. The children all seem happy and the teaching is fantastic with great support when needed. You only need to look at the results to see what a good school it is.
A
Amanda Nuttall
11 years ago
As parents, pupils and teachers connected with Hiill House, we know that this school is unique and we celebrate its ethos and its values. Now, apparently it is "failing to meet regulatory requirements". There has been an assumption on the part of Ofsted that, because Hill House does not conform to every beaurocratic detail set out by the government, that it is failing its pupils. Hill House does not employ admin staff and has run its school with a common sense approach very successfully for a long time. It is my understanding that Colonel Townend deliberately kept administration to a minimum in order to keep fees to a minimum. It is a sad day that this wonderful school faces closure or entirely changing its modus operandum to have an office full of form filling, box ticking and paper work compliance in order to win Ofsted approval. This will inevitably lead to a substantial increase in the school fees, making private education more exclusive and further widening the gap between state and private education.
B
Bridget Scanlon
11 years ago
My child is exceedingly happy at Hill House. Her friends are delightful and the parents are thoughtful, kind and supportive. What's more, the Hill House community extends beyond country clubs, ski holidays, and unhealthy obsession with academic success; something not all schools in the independent sector posses. Obviously I am concerned about the health and safety issues raised, although I am assured by Mr Townend's promise to investigate and make appropriate amendments. As for academic and social well being? Ofsted's observations has only reinforced suspicions I already held; that it is entirely unlikely that a 2.5 day visit would suffice to write such a comprehensive report.
B
Barbara Bulatovic
11 years ago
Featured
Commenting as a HH parent, both my girls have received an excellent education at HH in a nurturing and caring environment. As a teacher, I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else- great children, supportive parents and caring well qualified staff. HH is a family.
S
Samina Shahzady
11 years ago
The Ofsted report could not be further away from the reality of what we as parents have experienced of Hill House. We have a happy, confident son who is thriving in the Hill House environment. We are pleased that he is engaged thoroughly in all the teachings and activities provided by the school.
Our three children are the happiest kids in the world and they have must to thank Hill House for the education and love they have received. We "landed" three years agor from Lisbon and they did not speak any English. Teresa (11+ exams) got 3 offers from top schools and Manuel (13+) from two top schools. So I'm really shocked with this report as it seems to be describing a totally different school.
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Nicholas Tombs
11 years ago
For a parent this brings into question the consistency and reliability of OFSTED. OFSTED Report of 26 May 2014: Teaching in the school is effective. Teachers show a good understanding of the needs and aptitudes of pupils. Specialist teachers demonstrate good subject knowledge. Lessons are planned well so pupils make progress. The school places a strong emphasis upon attainment; teachers ensure pupils are thoroughly prepared to move on to a secondary school of their choice. Pupils’ attitudes to school are consistently positive. Pupils show an eagerness to learn and to do their best. Pupils’ behaviour is good and relationships between staff and pupils are respectful. This is in accordance with the school’s policy and principles of good behaviour.
M
Maria Pavlinova
11 years ago
I am absolutely baffled by the OFSTED report. When my daughter started year 1, her English was rather basic as we just moved to London as expats. Six months later she is fluent in English, reads books easily and writes essays (!) on how she spent the half terms. She loves her school and runs there happily every morning. Apart from the standard curriculum, the school teaches our children to be confident, polite, courteous and compassionate.
A
Alexia Peck
11 years ago
i was at Hill House back in the early 80's! I loved it for myself and I love it for my kids. Not much has changed since then and now, all of a sudden, the defamation of an exceptionally good school has cast a shadow on
B
Bessy Moufarrige
11 years ago
Full support from us for our school. Two very happy children attending and in our opinion receiving a fine education.
A
Arielle Topley
11 years ago
As and ex Hill House student I firmly believe this accusation is absolute nonsense! How dare they interpret it in such a way when they are not even students. Hill House thrives on its impeccable manners and tradition and simply does not deserve such a report. Clearly Ofsted now puts all pointless perspectives over the correct moral aspects of the school, we have both anyway! I can tell you, in my opinion having the right morals and manners is a lot more important!!
O
Orjan Sandewall
11 years ago
Many statements in the report are greatly at odds with what I have seen as a parent.
C
Christine Lademacher
11 years ago
Excellent! Apparently the Daily Mail is interested in the petition!
P
Patricia Thompson
11 years ago
My son has been at Hill House for eight years and as a family we love the school. My son is happy. He is secure in his environment. The teachers have been suppotive both academically and on the sports field. The school ethos is fantastic.
P
Patrick O'Donnell
11 years ago
Hill House is a wonderful school, and all the children we have met have received an excellent education and more importantly are extremely happy at the school. The Ofsted report is a complete misrepresentation of the school our daughter has attended since 2008.
F
Fareed Ameen
11 years ago
The conclusions of the Ofsted report are completely at odds with the excellent experience of my two daughters at Hill House. Whereas there are improvements that can be made, judging the School to have fallen to an "inadequate" standard is bizarre. If the school has fallen so far it certainly doesn't appear evident in the results and accomplishments of graduating students. I am perplexed as to how Ofsted could have arrived at such a conclusion.
Ofsted should seriously reconsider this report which does not reflect the school that we have known for the last 14 years. Our two sons were very happy at Hill House, they are both well rounded, mature, intelligent, independent and considerate teenagers now. We have never known our sons to ever be put at any risk and they have always been well cared for at Hill House. The school does have its quirks and eccentricities and of course some improvements are needed but in no way does it deserve the Ofsted grading it received. Both my sons went onto a very competitive school and their standard of Mathematics and writing are certainly not below national standards - infact they are much higher.
At the end of the day: It’s the results that count; and clearly the results show. Both our children are at Hill House; and I could say nothing less than that they are confident, happy and progressing on all of their abilities as fast as they can. Each and every day, again and again. So, contrary to what this report might have you believe, they are thriving thanks to the Hill House education. Clearly Ms. Hinds and Ms Patel from Offsted think that this school needs to be run totally different, and they seem to suggest a lot of new rules and record keeping to secure that our children’s progress is guaranteed. To me this all sounds like a lot of bureaucracy and ticking boxes for the sake of ticking boxes, and not focussing at the task at hand – developing your child to his or hers utmost ability. What the ladies fail to see is that these kinds of things do not have to be formalized to the utmost in order to run a good school. They do have to be formalized to score high on an audit though. But, keeping track of our children is what our teachers do all day. And they are quite good at it.
Hill House is a fantastic example of how a school should be. Our boy looks forward to everyday at Hill House.
My husband and I were absolutely appalled by the remarks in the latest Ofsted report. Our daughter, who is now in year 5, has been extremely happy at Hill House. We have absolutely no complaints about the school, only praise. The children all seem happy and the teaching is fantastic with great support when needed. You only need to look at the results to see what a good school it is.
As parents, pupils and teachers connected with Hiill House, we know that this school is unique and we celebrate its ethos and its values. Now, apparently it is "failing to meet regulatory requirements". There has been an assumption on the part of Ofsted that, because Hill House does not conform to every beaurocratic detail set out by the government, that it is failing its pupils. Hill House does not employ admin staff and has run its school with a common sense approach very successfully for a long time. It is my understanding that Colonel Townend deliberately kept administration to a minimum in order to keep fees to a minimum. It is a sad day that this wonderful school faces closure or entirely changing its modus operandum to have an office full of form filling, box ticking and paper work compliance in order to win Ofsted approval. This will inevitably lead to a substantial increase in the school fees, making private education more exclusive and further widening the gap between state and private education.
My child is exceedingly happy at Hill House. Her friends are delightful and the parents are thoughtful, kind and supportive. What's more, the Hill House community extends beyond country clubs, ski holidays, and unhealthy obsession with academic success; something not all schools in the independent sector posses. Obviously I am concerned about the health and safety issues raised, although I am assured by Mr Townend's promise to investigate and make appropriate amendments. As for academic and social well being? Ofsted's observations has only reinforced suspicions I already held; that it is entirely unlikely that a 2.5 day visit would suffice to write such a comprehensive report.
Commenting as a HH parent, both my girls have received an excellent education at HH in a nurturing and caring environment. As a teacher, I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else- great children, supportive parents and caring well qualified staff. HH is a family.
The Ofsted report could not be further away from the reality of what we as parents have experienced of Hill House. We have a happy, confident son who is thriving in the Hill House environment. We are pleased that he is engaged thoroughly in all the teachings and activities provided by the school.
[email protected]
Our three children are the happiest kids in the world and they have must to thank Hill House for the education and love they have received. We "landed" three years agor from Lisbon and they did not speak any English. Teresa (11+ exams) got 3 offers from top schools and Manuel (13+) from two top schools. So I'm really shocked with this report as it seems to be describing a totally different school.
For a parent this brings into question the consistency and reliability of OFSTED. OFSTED Report of 26 May 2014: Teaching in the school is effective. Teachers show a good understanding of the needs and aptitudes of pupils. Specialist teachers demonstrate good subject knowledge. Lessons are planned well so pupils make progress. The school places a strong emphasis upon attainment; teachers ensure pupils are thoroughly prepared to move on to a secondary school of their choice. Pupils’ attitudes to school are consistently positive. Pupils show an eagerness to learn and to do their best. Pupils’ behaviour is good and relationships between staff and pupils are respectful. This is in accordance with the school’s policy and principles of good behaviour.
I am absolutely baffled by the OFSTED report. When my daughter started year 1, her English was rather basic as we just moved to London as expats. Six months later she is fluent in English, reads books easily and writes essays (!) on how she spent the half terms. She loves her school and runs there happily every morning. Apart from the standard curriculum, the school teaches our children to be confident, polite, courteous and compassionate.
i was at Hill House back in the early 80's! I loved it for myself and I love it for my kids. Not much has changed since then and now, all of a sudden, the defamation of an exceptionally good school has cast a shadow on
Full support from us for our school. Two very happy children attending and in our opinion receiving a fine education.
As and ex Hill House student I firmly believe this accusation is absolute nonsense! How dare they interpret it in such a way when they are not even students. Hill House thrives on its impeccable manners and tradition and simply does not deserve such a report. Clearly Ofsted now puts all pointless perspectives over the correct moral aspects of the school, we have both anyway! I can tell you, in my opinion having the right morals and manners is a lot more important!!
Many statements in the report are greatly at odds with what I have seen as a parent.
Excellent! Apparently the Daily Mail is interested in the petition!
My son has been at Hill House for eight years and as a family we love the school. My son is happy. He is secure in his environment. The teachers have been suppotive both academically and on the sports field. The school ethos is fantastic.
Hill House is a wonderful school, and all the children we have met have received an excellent education and more importantly are extremely happy at the school. The Ofsted report is a complete misrepresentation of the school our daughter has attended since 2008.
The conclusions of the Ofsted report are completely at odds with the excellent experience of my two daughters at Hill House. Whereas there are improvements that can be made, judging the School to have fallen to an "inadequate" standard is bizarre. If the school has fallen so far it certainly doesn't appear evident in the results and accomplishments of graduating students. I am perplexed as to how Ofsted could have arrived at such a conclusion.