See all schools in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne
Gosforth Academy
Secondary · Academy · Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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Not the best
The school has good food and can give students help if they need it but my only issue is that I have a friend and she could barely move her neck. She asked for a heat pack but they kept on telling her to come back later, which she did and she still was unable to get one. I personally found this horrible.
GCSEs + Sixth Form
Teachers are sick with power.
I was a very good kid in this school. I did everything by the rules (of which there are many), stayed under the radar and still recieved my share of bother from the teachers. From my own personal experience, the staff here are absolutely sick with power and love to shout at you. I have had the head of behaviour scream at me for not physically being able to attend detention, which I got for being 2 mins late to registration a couple mornings which snowballed into a 2 hour detention plus frozen frees (this means you cannot leave the building when you don't have lessons on). They are also extremely against logic and reason, if you are asked a question when a teacher is angry with you, they do not want you answer even if you're in the right because they will call your parents even if you are a full grown adult. This school is shocking and its no wonder their Ofsted rating dropped.
Awful school culture and unsafe environment for pupils
I was a former student (graduated within the past 5 years), and I witnessed first-hand the gradual decline in the school. In years 9 and 10 teaching staff were 5 stars, this was due to a plethora of experienced staff members in all departments. They were gradually replaced by new teachers fresh from university. Overall teaching staff went from 5 to 3 stars in my time, which still isn't awful but it's a significant drop in quality.
As others have noted this school is an exam factory, ultimately all they care about is your grades. Academic students tended to excel, and probably still do because of this. Seldom was the potential brought out of "intelligent" pupils who were not academically inclined, there was a large focus on those who were already high achievers. "Gifted and talented" was the name given to this cohort of students and they received extra academic support and added benefits such as meeting a holocaust survivor which other children were denied.
Another review has also noted that this school does not help with mental health, which I can personally attest to. For example, when I experienced panic attacks in class I was given planner comments for "disobedience", I also regularly self-harmed in front of teachers as a cry for help and this went unnoticed. My mental health ordeal ultimately led to a good few years of my life being wasted as I tried to pick up the pieces that this school left me in, with no help from them. I could go on, but I won't. All I will say is that if your child experiences severe/moderate mental health issues you should not enrol them in this school, because they will not be supported effectively (mental health is classed as low-level SEN, look at their recent Ofsted Report).
In terms of bullying, the culture of denial continues. As with mental health issues, bullying is also ignored. Though I myself was not bullied I saw many instances of bullying go unaddressed in my time and I have since heard from others that this has not changed. The reason for this is that the senior leadership team do not want to admit that this school is not perfect, ironically such denial is the root of most issues at this school.
As others have noted this school is an exam factory, ultimately all they care about is your grades. Academic students tended to excel, and probably still do because of this. Seldom was the potential brought out of "intelligent" pupils who were not academically inclined, there was a large focus on those who were already high achievers. "Gifted and talented" was the name given to this cohort of students and they received extra academic support and added benefits such as meeting a holocaust survivor which other children were denied.
Another review has also noted that this school does not help with mental health, which I can personally attest to. For example, when I experienced panic attacks in class I was given planner comments for "disobedience", I also regularly self-harmed in front of teachers as a cry for help and this went unnoticed. My mental health ordeal ultimately led to a good few years of my life being wasted as I tried to pick up the pieces that this school left me in, with no help from them. I could go on, but I won't. All I will say is that if your child experiences severe/moderate mental health issues you should not enrol them in this school, because they will not be supported effectively (mental health is classed as low-level SEN, look at their recent Ofsted Report).
In terms of bullying, the culture of denial continues. As with mental health issues, bullying is also ignored. Though I myself was not bullied I saw many instances of bullying go unaddressed in my time and I have since heard from others that this has not changed. The reason for this is that the senior leadership team do not want to admit that this school is not perfect, ironically such denial is the root of most issues at this school.
Honest remarks
Currently going into Year 13. Lots of support. Decent teachers. Bathrooms and hall are pretty filthy but that’s not the schools fault. Good range of subjects. Lots of extracurricular activities but not really for me. I’ve heard the gym is alright. Work load can be a pain but I think that’s a given for A level. Not bad.
Ruined my mental healtb
Became depressed when i started here and now self harm. Want to die
the school's fine
It's an alright school. The corridors are tiny for so many students and the overall building is messy. The bathrooms are unbelievably tiny and there are random holes in the roof that leak (both in classrooms and corridors). Not much support for mental health either. Some students will catcall and harass you while monitors will do nothing about it. I even saw a box of scissors be thrown down stairs by a student. A big variety of clubs though and extra-curriculars. Their coat policy is insufferable. Teachers seem more focused on whether students wear their coats rather than students who vape or misbehave.
Could explain things better
Some of the teachers cannot teach well. They rely on videos to explain everything or sheets with too many notes which can leave students confused because they are either oversimplified or overcomplicated. Some of the teachers are really good but overall the teaching quality isn't enough to help students get higher grades. Sometimes smarter students are favoured and others who struggle more are left confused
Lots of pressure and lots of students
A good school, large building with two libraries, easy computer access and lots of classrooms - however there are lots of students, making the corridors very crammed during lesson change overs. Additionally, there is a lot of pressure regarding exam results, with some teachers expecting very high grades from students without actually teaching the material well enough for their pupils to achieve these standards. Lack of help with mental health coupled with the pressure from exams isn't a good combination, and some teachers fail to listen when concerns are raised regarding students' learning. Overall, a decent school with some helpful and fun teachers as well as some who do not help in any way, good facilities and lots of opportunities.
A levels
Bit like an exam-result factory..
Huge school with tons of students and lots of teachers. Not enough space in the corridors or social spaces for everyone so there’s a lot of “corridor crush”. Some teachers are amazing and have inspired me and changed my life. Some are rubbish. Just luck of the draw. The food is pretty good. The mental health services are bad. But if you can find a teacher you trust then that’s a pretty good fix most of the time. Good libraries and computer access, and lots of clubs and societies. Free period products. But no gender neutral bathrooms or particular progressiveness in terms of politics or queer students. It often feels like an exam grade factory, but a few certain teachers make it bearable and even fun sometimes!
It’s okay
This school does not help with children who struggle with their mental health, which is obviously someone necessary at a time like this. Not only this, but I find a lot of the education to be lack lustre and i’ve had to teach a lot of courses to myself. However, they do offer a lot
of different activities in the form of clubs, some of which are student ran.
of different activities in the form of clubs, some of which are student ran.
Would recommend!!
Recommend this school, they help a lot with everything that you need and a lot of the teachers are very helpful!!
However some of the teachers are not the best and demand wayyy too much from their students but this happens everywhere.
Other than that could not fault the at all
However some of the teachers are not the best and demand wayyy too much from their students but this happens everywhere.
Other than that could not fault the at all
Knightsbridge, NE3 2JH, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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