Reviews

1.4
Based on 18 reviews and 160 answers
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Parent
Feb 27, 2024

Ark Greenwich free school

Terrible school! Pupils are getting suppressed by staff and talked like they are slaves. Staff dismissing kids who are unwell and using a fear policy to make them scared of punishment. My daughter had mental break down in this school. Thanks Miss Brooks, totally ignorant human. Not sure she shoulfd be working in school but fir prison she will be the most popular.
Student
Dec 8, 2023

PRISON SCHOOL!!

do not go to this school i hate it every time i come here and they punish you for no reason this school is like a prison do not work here or send your child here the education is horrible and they overwork you parents please do not send your child to this school i have asked all the students and they agree with this as well every student is unhappy here also the teachers bully and torture the poor students
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO THIS TERRIBLE SCHOOL!!!!!!
Parent
Jul 13, 2023

A Strict Environment at Ark Free School Greenwich

My child started at Ark Free School Greenwich September 2022 ( They have now transferred to another school ), and while it does have some positive aspects, I found the school to be incredibly strict to the point where it stifles the students' freedom and creativity. The emphasis on discipline and order seems to overshadow the nurturing and supportive atmosphere that should be present in an educational institution.

One of the most striking observations my child reported to me was the extreme level of strictness enforced by the school staff. Students appeared to be constantly on edge, fearing any misstep that could lead to detention. It was disheartening to witness these constant fears over something as minor as dropping a pen or not standing on the correct line in transition. While discipline is important in maintaining a productive learning environment, the atmosphere here felt oppressive and stifling.

Another aspect that stood out was the restrictions placed on students during transitional periods, particularly during exam times. I was surprised to learn that students were not allowed speak at all or to engage in regular conversations during these periods. Students were only permitted to whisper during non-examination dates, adding to the sense of restraint and unease. It is crucial for students to have the opportunity to discuss and clarify concepts with their peers during such times, as it can enhance their understanding and relieve stress.

Additionally, I was disappointed to discover that students were not allowed to speak to each other during lunch sessions when certain teachers were on duty. Social interaction and building relationships are essential components of a well-rounded education, and restricting these opportunities can have a detrimental impact on students' overall development. Furthermore, scheduling lunch for Year 7 students at 10:30 a.m. seems excessively early, potentially affecting their concentration and energy levels in later parts of the day.

While Ark Free School Greenwich may strive to instill discipline and academic focus, it is important to strike a balance between structure and the holistic development of students. A more flexible approach that fosters open communication, collaboration, and a positive atmosphere would undoubtedly benefit the overall educational experience for students attending this institution.

Please note that this review reflects my personal experience and observations of Ark Free School Greenwich.
Student
May 17, 2023

Terrible

The teachers swear at students
Student
Mar 15, 2023

Discriminatory

I cannot stress how terrible and shocking this school is, not only is it prejudice, it is not offering any support to students who cannot immediately retain knowledge. The homework is the same across all subjects , where we simply have to copy out 5 terms across a page which is ineffective and a waste of time, the school then proceed to issue 2 hour detentions to those who cannot remember the word for word definition , in something called "boot camp" , this sounds like a prison more than anything. The work and tests across the sets are the EXACT same, and the idea of sets is completely disregarded as no extra support is available to those in lower sets.Rather than improve the education system they spent their entire budget on a big blue square (The MUGA) which didnt need improving, and is now slippery and dangerous, and means when it rains we cannot play outside,so many people have slipped and fell over when this never happened before,meaning it is basically useless, we also got outdoor changing rooms, however we are not allowed to use them what was the point in this?
Former Student
Mar 15, 2023

I would give it 0 starts if I could

Ark Greenwich free school is the worst school anybody can go to . During Ramadan the head teacher mr Rhys spiers said to students that wanted to pray because it was prayer time he didn’t allow them to go and pray he said “It’s your choice if you want to go heaven or hell”. They don’t care about students mental health. The care about being the top school. The headteacher Hides behind other teachers . Mrs Filipova she’s racist. Mr woodland went into the girl’s changing.
Student
Mar 13, 2023

A prison or a school?

I have never been to such a disgusting, useless and pathetic school. Not only are the teachers CLEARLY prejudiced towards people who get higher scores and those who don't. Just like in a prison, they use a wand to search you despite every student being a minor who is most likely not going to bring anything. If they find a mobile phone, they take it for as long as they like. The headteacher is barely around and spends much of his time making changes that are absolutely useless. For example, instead of getting a new Science teacher (the old one had left, which meant all her lessons were covers) they wasted over £200 on a new MUGA. Just so you know, the old one wasn't really that bad. And instead of getting more trained teachers, they made outdoor changing rooms (which are just short, long rooms made of metal). Not only that but, they host 2 hours in which you wait an hour before you go to the toilet and if you go you have to stay behind the time you spent in it. Which is insane, because how can I sit 2 hours sitting and writing and not go to the toilet?

They also have an isolation room (which they now call 'Reflection Room') where you write 2 pages each period all day then sit an hour or 2 afterwards. Nothing else. Not only that but, there had been many cases of SA, cyber-bullying happening and it always ends with the obvious victim getting detentions. This school is horrible, and I'm not even saying it as a student. I'm saying it as a person, which the school doesn't even treat me as, the teachers at this school abuse their power and get away with it. This is extremely unfair and unjust.
Former Student
Mar 13, 2023

Im confused how this school is still open

I would give this a 0 stars if i could,
firstly they set us an unimaginable amount of work, it is simply ridiculous the workload you want 11 year old children doing,
secondly, we are told that we will receive a detention and it is impossible not to get one
surely this in itself is proof of the broken behaviour system
thirdly, the school is majorly understaffed , i cannot remember the last time i went through a week without a cover lesson, the current year 8 and 10 scholars have not had a science teacher since christmas and have been told not to expect one until easter, half of the science teachers dont even teach science but have had to take on that role. there are only 2 actual geography teachers and over half the stalf are clearly, blantantly racist
staff are constantly mixing up hijabis name, people who are different races, in different year groups and in different sets, the school does not allow people to pray on time and does not offer any support
finally, the school issue detentions for the silliest things , some examples incude sit up unacceptable, entrance unnaceptable
do not send your child here
Student
Jan 16, 2023

Bad shcool

It's a bad shcool I had to sit for 2 hours as I failed all my tests
Student
Jan 15, 2023

Bad over all how they 26th

Shit shcool as the teachers are over the top you get pushed for the smallest things ad
Student
Jan 3, 2023

My opinion

Ark Greenwich Free School has been very aggressive to me as a student. They once said I would not be able to succeed in life as I had average grades. They are too aggressive and they make everyone feel unsafe. They believe they are making the right choices, where actually they’re damaging everyone’s mental health. I DO NOT recommend this school to any students that want to join it any teachers that want to work there.
Parent
Sep 16, 2022

Secondary Education

Terrible place of education! Do not attend

Absolutely horrendous! My child has been extremely unhappy at this school. They have been bullied by staff and given sanctions for very insignificant school rules that do not make sense. The school does not work with children, they deny them of an education. The teachers have a bully mentality and it would appear that very often the teachers antagonise the children to a point where they become emotionally distressed and then give out exclusions and sanctions. Staff also tell lies and are extremely hoggish and disrespectful to children, treating them like second class citizens. When placed in”Reflection” all day, children simply sit in silence copying notes from a textbook. This is not teaching and learning by any stretch of the imagination. They are even forced to eat an entirely different lunch!

The Headteacher is non existent and hides behind the senior leadership team.

This school is absolutely dire. They need to stop introducing rules that do not make sense, and or ensure parents and students fully understand the reasons behind them.

The worst decision ever made, to register my child here!
No schools should be allowed to operate in this manner. This is no school, this is a concentration camp!!
Parent
May 25, 2022

#dictatorship/prison school/too many detentions for minor

As other's above have stated the school is like a prison, they dictate to students, use authority of power against them which in return distresses students and intimidates them. Most students are forced to put their feelings aside as they are afraid of telling a teacher as they won't listen and believe them. (I've seen this as a parent for 4 whole years in this school). This has had an effect on dd's mental well being and academic studies.
My dd stayed until Yr 10, only as we couldn't find space in other schools. She had a really bad experience, if you tell a Safeguarding member of an incident of bullying they never helped her instead they blamed her for something she didn't do without any sort of evidence, which resulted in exclusions that were wrongly given. As many times you try to email Headteacher, he doesn't respond, only other senior members. Parents are not heard, they don't get the respect and wishes of their child/ren
A child needs to feel important and heard otherwise it can have an affect on their confidence and ability to communicate well with peers and teachers too, which is important for their adult life. It can also have a big impact on their academic education and mental health which is vital for a child to succeed.
Teachers don't listen to students with query or plea as my daughter felt. She has been writing in her diary ever since and we felt it may get better but in Yr 10 she couldn't handle it anymore and it affected her mental health as she used to only think of 2 things everyday DETENTION and BULLY. This school should be closed down. There is no need for dictatorship in this time and day.
Hope you reconsider of taking your children to this school.
Parent
Apr 19, 2022

Is it worth your child goin to this school?

My son, which i will not state his name, has being goin through alot not only with friends or his outside life, his experience at his secondary school. This is school is extremely strict and straightforward which i like but, not caring about my sons mental health or giving the most silly reasons to give my sons or anyone ones son or daughter a detention.
I will also like to add that i am not from this country and to see that this school dosent focus on culture enough for example bracelets which are complusary to wear in my country which represents pride and indignity is not allowed to be worn in this school really shocks me. I may rethink my son attemding this school
Former Student
Apr 1, 2022

caused negative mental heath and suicide attempts

This school disregards bulling and children's mental health. I was being cyberbullied by a peer and when I brought it to the attention of the safeguarding team all that person had to say was they don't have social media to be let off without further investigation.

Another incident was when I was given a safety plan as a result of self-injury but the safeguarding team never checked up on my mental heath after that, and the way my self-injury was dealt with happened very fast which was both confusing and traumatising. (my friends have also had negative experiences related to the safeguarding team and the attention the staff has towards children's mental health.)

Lastly, this school only cares weather you get good grades, the mental heath of their students does not matter. This can be proven by the amount of homework I was given from year 7 up to year 11 (i have since graduated.) my peers and I have lost huge amounts of sleep due to the amount of work pushed onto us especially during exam seasons when sleep is vital.

If you value your child, please find a better school.
Student
Sep 30, 2021

its a prison ngl

we're not allowed to do anything.. any little thing u get a detention or BSU
Former Student
Nov 28, 2020

terrible

went here from years 7 to 9, very cold and don’t take mental health seriously at all. more like a prison than a school. many of the good teachers left and apparently they treat staff terribly. also front desk is so rude and would keep you waiting as a student for things such as handing in letters (few second request) whilst talking about irrelevant things with coworkers like their children school plays etc. enrichment was the defining feature of this school compared to others in the area and that’s now gone and there’s nothing else that’s striking
Other
Oct 7, 2020

awful

shit lmao could be a lot better
403 Shooters Hill Road, SE18 4LH, London

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