Carshalton High School for Girls

Most students write negative reviews about this school as a way to "get back at the teachers" after getting one detention. As a former student in this school, this isn't a matter of a simple scolding but rather a continuous series of issues I've faced whilst attending this school. I struggle with ADHD and ever since I've joined this school I received no help or guidance in my learning. The staff mask their ill nature by putting on a facade of kindness and hospitality towards parents and carers to draw them in to their school. I've attended this school for 7 years and recently been kicked out as I've been told "we don't think you will be able to pass the exams due to your learning difficulties". They have convinced my parents and me to withdraw from the school, so that I could not use this against them in court as it looks like this was my choice. This has been done to a number of students and it's clear by the crafty way they conducted this, that this has been done multiple times before me. It's obvious that they are doing this all for the money and not for the wellbeing of the students. It costs a lot for them to pay for every student to take a test, and by reducing the number they in turn keep the ones with no learning difficulties and get rid of the ones that struggle. During these 7 years of school I have learned a little, the teachers mostly tap through a slide show and expect us to understand and they don't sort out the bad behaviour effectively because in every class I've been in, new drama occurred and distracted everyone else from learning. As a younger student I was glad that I got to watch a performance of arguing between a student and teacher but now I've matured I regret the time I missed learning because of this. I tried so hard to catch up and learn at home and this method has been most affective for me personally. In a month of learning during the summer holidays I managed to teach myself various subjects and what I learnt is far more than it takes in a year of school. There were multiple times teachers didn't show up to class for weeks and we were left with no one in the class and naturally, everyone left to use their phone and contribute nothing to their education. This affected our grades. The food served grows more expensive each term, a drink such as a peach lipton costing up to £2.89. The students cannot pay in cash and only fingerprints are accepted, which is a way for them to get our fingerprints and store it, which a number of parents and students aren't comfortable with. As a singular student there is nothing I could do, except warn potential parents or carers wanting to enroll their child into this school. The positive reviews are either brought or written by the school itself. There are multiple fights at school and various dangerous situations happening every so often, such as a student sneaking a knife into the school which was due to bullying and thought the only way she could protect herself was to turn up with a weapon. They preach about mental health and such yet the school sees it as a chore to listen to students. There is no confidentiality and people's business spreads around like wildfire, and it's mostly the teachers sharing this information. A student has reported abuse at home to a staff member and is also struggling with SH, and the first thing the school did was report this to the parents of that girl. The school doesn't know how to approach things the right way, and cause problems rather than solving them. There are teachers at this school with gambling addictions, said by a former teacher who decided to leave. The staff have no empathy and will favour students and discriminate against others. The male staff are constantly making remarks about skirts and shirts, making students uncomfortable and embarrassed then punishing them if they dare speak up. To any students who are struggling right now in this school, I promise it will change in college and when you enter a new chapter of your life. To parents who receive complaints from their child about this school, please listen to them. Minor issues in this school will turn into big problems and will affect your child in the most negative way.

I’m very sorry to give this review but I left this school around 3 years ago now and I still have unpleasant memories of it. I was severely bullied here all throughout year 9 and 10 and the teachers quite frankly did not give a rat’s arse. What was their way of tackling this? To plant a tree that they named “the anti bullying tree”. In year 11, almost our entire year failed our maths mock and the teachers had the audacity to blame us. Surely if nearly the whole year failed there’s an issue with the maths department, not the students. All I will say is that the learning support assistants were all lovely, kind people and I’m sorry they have to work in such a horrible school.

literally the most awful school in the area

To be honest, this school is really bad. They made a poor student eat pork, even when it is against her religion , they don't even care about there students. The school went from outstanding to good ?

I am now at an age where school should not bother me anymore but it does, I still have bad memories that pop up from time to time which has impacted my anxiety many years after leaving this school. I was a good student, quiet, kept to myself and worked hard. I struggled with maths and I remember math teachers being unable to help me learn, I remember one specifically telling me that I'm taking too long to understand the math questions and she couldn't help me, so from then on I never asked for any more help in maths. I felt so ashamed but later on learnt about Dyscalculia.. Which is nothing I never heard of until a few years ago. Teachers were just as much bullies as the students were. I remember it all. I remember the dance teacher forcing me and other students to do P.E when we very ill. One girl had hurt her leg but was made to do P.E still which later turned out to be a broken leg. The teachers name was miss bevan. I remember loving art, always getting A's. I remember making clay art and I was so proud to collect it the next day after it had dried to find that it had been lost, whilst all the other students weren't. I went back the next day to see if it had been found, again it was not. The teacher had no remorse for my lost work. This art teacher had long blonde hair I do not remember her name but she wasn't pleasant. She was also an advocate for students who had been bullied, she was terrible and never gave any support. I loved english and books but I was the quiet one in class and felt scared around the students in my english classes, the end of year english class was the worse, I sat by myself with no friends around me. I gave a letter to the english teacher about not wanting to do public speaking in front of the class and the teacher mumbled under her breath you will do it, I will make you. But I didn't do it in the end which I was thankful for. I was put in all lower tiers for all classes which means I couldn't get a higher grade which I was very upset about. I knew I could do better. I also took child development and worked hard in my case studies which was supposed to go towards the end final grade, my coursework that I did was never mentioned or put towards the grade which was very disappointing. Ict was my favourite class and I did well in the class, the teachers did struggle in this class and got overwhelmed with the outspoken students which in turn left me and others who wanted help, without it. The ICT teacher apologised to me for not answering my question. I remember french class with mrs shadrake.. she couldn't understand why one lesson I did so well in my answers, she said I was copying the girl next to me, made me move to the back of the class, embarrassed me, but then realised that I was not copying and realised she made a fool out of herself and me. You can imagine how I felt. I will never forget that. I also remember one science class with a temp teacher who couldn't handle the class and he locked us in the classroom and wouldn't let us go until he calmed down, it was utterly terrifying. I am so glad I stuck the school out, and finished but at times I could see myself quitting. If I had to go back to this school now, I don't think I would cope. Year 7 and 8 were the best years but from then onwards, it was terrible. College was a 100% better and I was praised for my hard work and determination. I am so glad to of been appreciated in college, I even had my work shared with the former college students because the professor was impressed. If you go to this school, there will be fun times and bad times. Nice teachers and bad teachers. School bullies who will always be bullies and take all of the teachers time meaning the quiet kids be left out. Stay strong, work hard and remember school isn't everything although it may seem like it at the time. Trust me when I say life after school will be better.