Hill House International School

Not only does this latest OFSTED report not reflect the very fine school that Hill House is, the report makes no logical sense. How can the school present "too few opportunities for pupils to mix with pupils from different social and economic backgrounds" yet "prepare pupils well for life in modern Britain" (p. 6). How can it be that "provision for the youngest children is inadequate" yet it is noted in the same section of the report that "Children are more than ready to achieve well in year 1" (pp. 8-9). Pure and utter drivel from a couple of inspectors with an axe to grind!

So upset by Ofsted's inaccurate and brazen use of language. My son and my husband are and were extremely happy, well educated and safe at Hill House. Do we, as parents, not get a say. After all it's our children who are at the school.

My children return home for school very happy every day. Am atounded by the depth and breaths of they knowledge. Assesments are happening gently in the background all the time. As the mother of a dyslexic child I see the approprate support and encouragement that is nurturing my son, and his performance goes from strength to strength. I feel my children are receiving an outstanding education that is delivered in a kind, gentle way, with clear firm boudaries in place. Do I want Hill House teachers to do more admin ? No ! Do I wish them to keep delivering inspiring lessons to my children ? Yes ! Today my 7 year old was so excited to tell me about learning about " contractions" in English . If something as dry as that can excite a child, I can only say " Well done " to the English teacher.

Save this wonderful school!

I just hope that today the staff, pupils and the Townend family are aware of the growing ground swell of support for them in the light of this vindictive report. It is simply implausible that the school has declined in all categories across all year groups from good to inadequate since last year. As the headmaster says in his letter to parents the observations of the Ofsted inspectors are totally at odds with the evidence: happy children of all abilities, dedicated staff, an extensive range of sporting and cultural activities, excellent results at common entrance and 11 plus. Closure of the school? What nonsense. Like Peter Jones, Hill House will still be standing after the bomb drops, looking after and promoting the best interests of its pupils. This report is an insult to a fine school, and moreover to the pupils and staff.

I can think of few schools with happier children than Hill House: both my children have enjoyed their time there, my daughter is particularly angered by this piece of PC drivel, and she left the school 7 years ago! Let's back them all the way!

Something seems odd here. There is a large question mark over this latest Ofsted report. I have never had a conversation with any parent or child of the school which reflects these findings. Of course I would be concerned that my wife and I are sending/have sent our children to a failing school. Its just that in nine years of close association I have not had cause for concern. The opposite is true - its a very happy, successful school run by people who delight in teaching children.

We are pleased to join the petition, and do not understand the basis for the conclusions in the Report. We are now in our fifth year at the School, and have always found the standards to be very high in all areas. One only needs to spend a little time at an Assembly, or at opening time, to experience the wonder of a large body of children, well turned out, well mannered, and delighted that their day at the School is beginning. The teachers that our daughter has had have been kind, interested in our daughter's progress, and encouraging of her to develop as a well-rounded, confident child. As a lawyer and as a strong supporter of the School, I am deeply concerned about the absence of due process, whereby a deeply flawed Report goes "viral" via the national press. What more may be done to correct the imbalance that this has created ? We are not comfortable that recent events have created a widespread and baseless negative view of the School.

My husband (Simon) and I (Yael Michal Dredzen) feel appalled by the critic to our school. An unfair remark taken to an unnecessary length. Our school Hill House has graduated for generations " Ethon to Harrow", "Cambridge and Oxford" like my husband did and many of my friends had whose children from generations had been graduated in this loyal, academically rewarding, caring and nurturing school. Mr and Mrs Townend had been a solid and valid pilar to parents and children not just by paper but in active manner and matters. Teachers care and inculcate a warm and academically do give a self motivation to do learn and see things and ways to guide and incur in advice a learning layer to provide a motivation to children as they blossom. There is a pride to be a Hill House student. Edmund Townend is working hard to provide that feeling his grandfather the Coronel always did and we feel very proud of him. One needs to be aware this is a long time institution for a reason not a school who takes fashions of the moments but challenges themselves and us to be better. It is a caring environment as international with not a respect to all religions and cultures. Academically it is valid to mention there are so many accolades under its shoulders. It feels safe and one has a sentiment of guardianship to our children. We are proud of our school.

I am appalled by the findings in the Ofsted report. Put simply, they do not add up and are poorly substantiated and in my professional opinion as a psychoanalyst, something else seems to be going on here. Of course there are going to be some issues with the school, certain practices within the school and with certain teachers - as with any school. I have had children at Hill House for over 10 years now and what they have given my children has been either good enough or excellent. If I have had a complaint, it has consistently been dealt with fairly and swiftly. Yet there is no representation of this kind of experience in the report whatsoever. Why? To suggest that this school could be closed is absurd and a blatant waste of government time and money and adversely affecting the morale of the school and our children. An injustice indeed. I will be signing everything that comes my way in means of support for this good school.

I was once at HH back in the 80's and now I have two kids at the school with one to follow soon. Nothing much has changed since I was a pupil. It has always been a happy, independent thinking, creative, eccentric school; all this criteria was what made it a wonderful institution and the legacy continues. Now, all of a sudden, the defamation of HH, through a conservative and impersonal report, has cast a shadow of doubt on its core values and traditions. HH may be traditional but its certainly not a conventional school. Therefore, let's not allow social conventions determine what is 'right' or 'wrong'. As far as I'm concerned, so long as my kids are happy and are prepared adequately for their Common Entrance exams, is all I care about. So far, evidence shows that year after year, outstanding results are accomplished. What more can you ask for?

This is absolutely ridiculous that such an odd report comes out on our lovely school. What those inspectors were thinking about? Myself and Anna are deeply concerned that a misrepresentative report has been circulating and we think the school should challenge it. The school can always count on our resources to support it.

Having an independent observer point out areas for improvement is obviously in the interest of children, parents and the school alike, and real issues highlighted in the report should of course be dealt with. However, marking Hill House inadequate on all counts in my view mostly serves to diminish the credibility of the Ofsted inspectors. The way the inspection methodology is described, especially regarding the attainment of the pupils, does not inspire confidence. Ofsted makes its claims about the attainment of pupils exclusively on the basis that "[i]nspectors looked at the work in pupils’ books". In other words, no real consideration seems to have been given to the exam results for secondary school entry which would normally be considered vastly more informative. With the discrepancy between what the inspectors gauged from a one day visit to few classes, and what some of the best secondary schools in the country think - perhaps a follow-up study of some sort would have been warranted? This is normally the procedure when a seemingly absurd result ensues from a methodologically weak examination. Can Hill House's record w r t entry to secondaries credibly be explained away by reference to one-sided preparation for Common Entrance exams? I would have thought the secondaries in question would also be making ex post evaluations of the pupils they accept from different schools, year by year. Also, several key statements in the report are not consistent - how can "at best average" in writing and maths be in stark [emph] contrast to "above average" in music? Anecdotally, our own experiences are very much not in line with what the report says about attainment. Our child was in an outstanding/good rated state school previously and the difference in level is striking. She entered into year 2 at Hill House, and I would not be surprised if her Hill House class is one full year ahead of her state school class in terms of reading. In terms of safety, the report

Can I urge every parent and carer to complete Ofsted's Parent View survey for Hill House: https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/give-your-views/survey/125279 ? It takes about a minute to complete and there were only 56 responses for the school year as of this morning. Knowing how much Ofsted values 'evidence' and statistics, this could be another quick and useful way to 'officially' show our support for the school to them.

My husband and I have been parents of Hill House International School for 11 years now. We have two boys and both have attended the school. Our eldest son Jack was there for 10 years and has now gratuated to Dulwich College. Jack has very fond mememories of his friends and teachers at Hill House. In 2010 Jack fell ill with Cancer. I can say with my hand on my heart the whole school were fantastic. From the pupils, teacher and head of school. The support and consideration was overwhelming. The teachers went beyond the call of duty. With visits, homework, care and support. If this is not a sign of a good school - then - truly what is? Our youngest son, Harry still attends the school and he loves it. From a mother's point of view - my son is very happy to attend school every day, he is polite, educated, young man. What more do we need for our children at the age of 9 and 10 years old.

Personally, I am concerned with the recent Ofsted report. What is more important, than the safety and education of our children? Having just joined Hill House last year, from an independent Outstanding School (on all levels), I am fully aware of the differences. Though I believe Hill House is a very special school. My two children are very happy here. Hill House hopefully, which it seems, is willing to implement change and work on their faults. No school is perfect and there is always room for improvement. Let’s hope this unique and happy school, can only get better from here. We very much want to stay, that is why, we have signed this petition.

I would like to add that my daughter gained entry into a top girls' boarding school with an excellent set of exam results. My son is in his final year at HH and, like many boys in his year will be sitting CE in June. This negative publicity, all over the press now, is extremely damaging to pupils that have yet to sit important exams next term and very unfair on the staff. I do hope that any potential 'trouble making' from disgruntled current parents (they know who they are), is kept to a minimum so that morale remains high.

As an ex- pupil of this school I can safely say that this report is simply false.Hill House got me into JAGS when I had not been in the English education system for many years, and I am now on course to gain A*AA in my A levels. Hill House managed to achieve the best results in our 11+ despite being non- selective and yet still managed not to be an exam factory with daily sports lessons. Hill House also educated us in etiquette and allowed us to form strong relationships with our peers and teachers.

I hope this petition is going to OFSTED, the Dept for Education, our MP, the school and the press!

My wife and I are very happy with our daughter Riona Dighe's (year 2) progress at Hill House ! In our experience, we have found it to be a well run school with happy children and dedicated teachers. We are particularly thankful to Mrs Bright, Mrs Hunloke, Mrs Story and Ms Whetman to name a few dedicated teachers. We do not know how the Ofsted Reporting works but I would vouch for the fact that Riona is excelling at the school and is very happy there.