Reviews

2.2
Based on 17 reviews and 146 answers
0
0
0
0
0
"I wish I knew about this website when I was about to choose School"
Lisa, parent
"Finally, one can access the opinions of other students completely transparently."
Fredrik, student
Get access to exclusive content, available only on SchoolParrot!
1 month
£2.99
First month. Then £4.99 / month
1 year
£19
Best valueFirst year. Then £39 / year.

For Schools and school staff

Do you work as a principal or school staff? Take control of your SchoolParrot profile. Click here
Parent
Dec 21, 2023

Well being and learning

Nothing will change........

Unfortunately the changes of I.e head master and the chessboard game they play with teachers to see what children they can make feel like shit , children can work there very best even to stress levels that adults can't handle! But if the teachers think they are in the right without getting the facts, and also saying your children can not be trusted! (After 3yrs of no issues) then john kryle will never change! You are ruining and failing our children
Other
Jan 26, 2023

truly awful experience

bad teaching, horrible food and an overall poor experience
Parent
Nov 23, 2022

A great school

My children went to John Kyrle - the youngest left summer 22. They were supported by staff who always gave their time out of lessons as well as in. Behaviour had always seemed fairly good but started to slide after the lockdowns from what my youngest said. There was a sudden change of headteacher at Christmas and he made a really positive change to the culture - He was out and about with a lot more and we saw him on duty most days - this set a good example for the children and he appeared to have a good relationship with them. New behaviour and mobile phones policies fixed a lot of problems. Although some other parents I spoke to didn't all like the firmer approach, I did.
While I've read the other reviews on here and some of the social media criticisms, I wonder how many are truly representative, I think the silent majority of students and parents have been very happy with the school over the many years I've known it.
I highly recommend this school
Student
Jun 27, 2022

Not set at a standard

The older kids always push the younger kids over to the point where a girl 11-12
Went unconscious Laying on the floor the school don’t tell us much of anything at all,
Etc
Student
May 9, 2022

unhappy student

as someone who struggles very much with their mental health, & struggles to go to school because of this. This school is not very accommodating towards that. They will not sort this problem out theirselves, they will involve others (family support workers) without having the regard to talk with the student themselves or even their parents. They have told me that due to low attendance that there would be a possibility I would be pulled out of the school & made to restart somewhere completely new when that wasn’t something that I had even wanted or suggested. One of their ‘safeguarding’ team, has given me a panic attack on a few occasions, and spoke about me towards another teacher in front of a student. Calling me an attention seeker due to the fact I was asking to sit in isolation because of my anxiety & I didn’t want to face everyone else, instead they turned me away after I had begged them to sit in there just for that day. When the family support worker suggested a part time, timetable, they point blank refused me without a mental health assessment even though I have bought my mental health up multiple times, letting them know how difficult it was for me to even preform daily activities, due to this. From year 7 to year 9 I was bullied for my weight & just the way I looked, I came home with bruises all over my arms. I never told the school about this until eventually I had to. I wouldn’t name these people who did it & instead of continuing to ask & make sure I was safe they left it as it was. It was never bought up again.
They do not care for any of their students unless they have 100% attendance & even then they don’t care. All they care about is statistics & how they look towards higher ups, so instead of caring for their students, they pretty much completely dismiss their needs.
The first aid is absolutely terrible also, I once had very bad stomach cramps, this was very painful for me to walk or even sit down & when I asked to go home, they refused me. The women who was working in first aid at the time tried to put words into my mouth to downplay how bad the stomach cramps were so They had more of a reason not to send me home. I was sat begging to go home because of the amount of pain I was in & they told me they would not send me home & if I did go home, it would go down as an unauthorised absence. (This was the same safeguarding team person as before)
& I know that I’m not the only student that has been through this.
Other
May 9, 2022

where to start…

John kyrle is probably one of the worst secondary schools i’ve ever attended. ive been to 3 secondary’s and this was by far the worst. The rules there are atrocious and people are being bullied more rigorously. The staff couldn’t care less about student mental health and if you ever find yourself talking to a member of staff rarely will anything be done about it. Half the time they’ll just phone home and call it a day. The support in first aid is atrocious and the most unwelcoming place to ever go to if you’re ill, immediately the “first aid is for emergencies only” sign is the most uninviting thing to see. People start to believe their illnesses or feelings aren’t valid as it’s not seen as a matter of urgency. But let’s face it nothing urgent ever occurs in schools. I’d just like to put out there that i’m sure everyone in first aid is lovely but the way that it’s set up and the dreary layout of the first aid room is so uncomfortable. Not to mention that a student was in first aid balling her eyes out begging to be sent home and they did nothing due to her mental health. it’s awful.
Former Student
Feb 17, 2022

This school has awful safeguarding

This school seriously needs to sort out its Management of safe guarding.
Former Student
Sep 30, 2021

Poor head leadership

I was a new student in Year 12. I haven’t heard or even seen much of the headteacher, but i have heard that himself and the deputy head bully staff members. They seem way to incompetent to run the school. The head of sixth form is much more of a suitable leader, and the school wants to move forward, the board should 100% consider promoting and demoting/firing some. The current headteacher only makes an appearance when there’s a media opportunity.
In terms of self isolation rules, it is very unclear. 50% from one class isolate, 50% do not. The one way systems is seemingly pointless and the staff doesn’t even follow it themselves. The way social bubbles have been implemented is awful. Classrooms are forced to have the windows open, even in 7°> conditions.
The only reason this is close to 3 stars is because of the head of sixth. He is an incredible, supportive leader and is 100% the man to take charge. He’s always around, and has made himself well known within the school.
In terms of subjects, some are taught well, some are not. Simple.
With lack of sixth form identity, such as badges (probably couldn’t fund them due to the incredible law suit loss), anyone could come in and out without a clue.
Student
Sep 15, 2021

My opinion

It’s ok I guess no to strict
But uniform is a bit tough and expensive not many people have the money to buy clothes and get told of for trying to keep up with the uniform code
Homework isn’t that bad
Phones can be on desks just can’t use them
Most teachers are nice
Former Student
Jul 20, 2021

terrible.

this school is god awful if your dissabled under any circumstances.

i have just left the school(2021 class) and have struggled significantly through out my last 2 years at the school covid aside. i struggle with tics and have to use a cane.

the head of SEN at the school did not believe in my tics for the sole reason of she has never had a student with tics before and since then has given me dirty looks whenever she has seen me ticing at school. several other teachers would tell me to quiet down my tics ect after being told that i had them and cannot control them and yet they still threatened to remove me from their class and put me in detentions. my tics sometimes caused me to drop or throw my cane, this only happened a small number of times but i was forced to stop using my cane at school and instead use my crutches that were terrible on my arms. along with the tics the teacher had the ability to send me out if i was considered disruptive. and most teachers did use this. i was out of class alot this year and more often that not was made to feel like it was my fault i could not be in the class.

while at the school i had a name change put in place in September to better fit my gender identity. i am non binary and disslike my highly femme name so switched it to somthing more gender nutral. most teachers were fine with this bar a few who simply refused to call me the wrong name. it was entirely purposefull as my new name was on the register and the teacher would still call me my birthname, i ended up leaving the subject because of it. the same teacher has also been known to be racist, ablist and impatient with people. this teacher had a year off due to supposed injury and came back for my yr 11.

the school itself is unhygienic. the female bath rooms have stuff smeared up the wall and the toilets often dont flush and have broken doors. the pe gym and sports hall have not been properly cleaned in multiple years along with the food tech rooms, this is evident with the amound of dust, hair balls ect thats in the corners and if you go in without shoes you can feel the dirt and crumbs under your feet, the food tech rooms are allways greasy and not cleaned properly, most students i know who took food tech did not eat the meals they made but instead threw them away as the things used to make it were never properly cleaned.

the canteen food was also ridiculous, being 1.80 or more for a 6inch baguette that was dry and not worth eating, these were also more expensive than the hot meals that were 1.50

the school also is said to have a great anti bullying system and push for equal rights however i was bullied from yr 7-9 and still picked on through to yr 11 along with several incidents of homophobic slurs and comments being thrown at me through the years. these were not delt with and i was told that if they did somthing then they could risk complaints so they refused to do anything.


all in all, do not come here. its god awefull, worse if you have a disability.
Student
Apr 2, 2021

Dont even.

i’m a student at this school, 2017-2022, and as were my two older brothers. it is a c**p school, okay-ish way of teaching.

The headteacher has recently lost a whole ton of money on two lawsuits, one for his own mistakes and the other in an attempt to shut down Dean Magna because he doesn't want to face competition. He and the deputy head went to court for bullying a teacher out of her place as drama teacher. He is rarely at the school and knows none of the students other than the ones who's pockets are lined with £50 notes and the only time he is seen is when there are cameras around.

the school gym, the sports hall and the changing rooms in both are disgusting. i feel like there is no effort in cleaning it. walking in, unless you are wearing trainers, it feels disgusting. dirt, dust and crumbs stick to your feet. if you look in the corners you can see literal hair balls, piles of dust and rubbish. it is disgusting. if you need the toilet be sure to go else where as there is rarely soap and toilet roll in the gym changing room toilets, let alone the fact that there is no where to dry your hands.

next stop is the school toilets. they are damn awful. if there even is toilet paper it feels like you are using sand paper or nothing at all, it’s cheap and horrible. the soap dispensers are rarely full and if they are, be careful as the soap may cause a reaction to your hands. half the toilet doors are broken or the locks don’t work. also don’t use them at breaks or lunch, many kids eat in them. For Female at Birth students there are no sanitary products in the toilets so you have to walk to resources and ask for them, which is uncomfy and horrendously embarrassing.

next stop is desks and chairs. these are dangerous, the chairs i mean. they are easily broken and half of them are. the stools are like sitting on slabs of stone and are wobbly, one false move and you’re on the floor. the bottom of the desks are filled with dry gum and drawings/words that i am not allowed to repeat or describe whilst writing this. Its honestly horrific, they haven't even been cleaned during COVID.

stop number five. bullying. my school claims to have an amazing bullying system however it disappears from existence when help is needed due to bullying. a friend of mine has been bullied for the three years we have been there, has anything been done about it? no, and if it has then the victim is ignored. i got into serious trouble due to a girl turning on the waterworks and spreading rumours about me after i told her i didn’t want to be friends for any longer, i was ignored. she was sent home with a sick note saying that she “was having a panic attack”. lies. if you are LGBTQ+ or a POC please be careful. the school is littered with homophobic, transphobic and racist children and even teachers.

Recently there has been alot of tension around sexual harassment etc because of ***** *******. The boys in my year, year 10, have been caught with images and videos of the girls in my year changing at a party. When the girls found out and told the FEMALE teachers (i am NOT afraid to say her damn name but I won't because I dont particularly want this review traced) apparently laughed and said "boys will be boys" and no further action was taken. This is disgusting and there have been many many more of these things popping up and girls speaking out and the teachers have done f**k all.

last but not least, the science/tech blocks. half the computers along with their monitors are trashed in these departments. they are spending £2 million on a new science block!! this money should be spent on equipment, new desks and chairs, new computers and other things that actually need to be sorted. Like, as I said previously, improving the equipment and basic hygiene needs.

another point is also the food in the canteen. it isn’t the best i’ll admit but it is a source of warm food and drink for those who aren't lucky enough to be able to go home to a lovely meal. The portions are small, tasteless, and overpriced. A sandwich is £1.80 yet a hot meal is the same price? Doesn't make sense, I know.

if you got this far, thank you for reading this review. i dont recommend the school but do be warned, if you have no other option for you child, that there is serious room for improvement. I hope you and family are well, have a great day.
Former Student
Jan 2, 2021

Only one

The food tech rooms are disgusting w equipment is not even clean or it’s mouldy head of year is horrible to all of out year group I don’t this digrase.
Student
Dec 14, 2020

Great school

Never have I been more cared for all the teachers and staff are friendly and caring and go way above & beyond for students you will be well cared for here
Student
Nov 28, 2020

The problems with John Kyrle

Wow where to start.... 1) at this school they MAKE you take a creative subject like tech, art or drama, no matter how academic you are. 2) the only extra curriculars are sports and music, but there are others that are student founded that receive little to no support from the school. 3) the school puts so much pressure on grades and yet at the same time the teachers were not allowed to actually teach via zoom over lockdown - we literally worked off PowerPoints. 4) The headteacher misses no opportunity to appear as involved in student life as possible, yet you only ever see him when there's a camera present, he often isn't even at the school and he doesn’t know the names of any students. 5) some of the classrooms have no heating and are literally falling apart and yet we still have to have all the windows open in <5°c temperatures. 6) the school literally lost £187k in a legal battle that they didn't need to engage in and then lost EVEN MORE in another that they tried to cover up. 7) every time I have been subject to racism the school has done NOTHING about it even when it was a teacher making the offensive comments.
Student
Nov 24, 2020

My grades are good but...

I go to this school. The head teacher isn’t the best... he calls himself ‘FIGJAM’ and has recently appeared in court(and lost) after sacking a teacher with no logical reason. He and one of the deputy heads are know for bullying staff to the point they quit. Also recently he has had to pay around £2k(may be wrong but it’s a lot) to Deane Magna after he tried to close down their sixth form for no reason other than he doesn’t want competition.

The school say they deal with bullying, but I was bullied from yr7 to yr9 and they did nothing but tell them to stop. No punishment, nothing.

The toilets are absolutely revolting!! There is period blood smeared on the walls, the toilets often don’t flush, sanitary bins are always overflowing! And there is often no soap.

With regards to COVID, they have done.... ok.... they have implemented a one way system and year group ‘bubbles’ but many teachers will still walk around without a mask on. I am personally exempt(I wear the sunflower lanyard to show this) and I constantly have teachers yelling at me to put a mask on, which often makes my symptoms of anxiety worse. I believe that all teachers should be more aware of the struggles students are facing (so don’t shout at us in front of everyone) and recognise the lanyard and it’s significance.

Now for some positivity! I am currently in year 11 and have my last mock tomorrow(25th November 2020) and I have gotten pretty good results so far! Some teachers are EXTREMELY helpful and others are just outright mean and rude to their students and dismissing any troubles of home life that affects homework or schoolwork. Wyelearn is a verry safe and comfortable area, especially for anxiety, although they strangely have isolation in the same room, meaning it can often get loud and often disruptive.

Final moan, the food tech rooms are disgusting, old food everywhere and the equipment is nearly always dirty and greasy(sometimes even mouldy). I have spoken about this issue many times and my head of year seems to have taken it very seriously, but the food tech staff on the other hand.... they told us they would do a deep clean over half term(early 2020) and the rooms are still dirty and disgusting.
Student
Oct 29, 2020

Self isolation

I was told to self isolate after a student in my class tested positive, however my friend who sits next to me in the same class hasn’t had to self isolate. Very confusing rules set for who self isolates and I wish it was more clear.
Student
Aug 23, 2020

aha. student from 2017-2022 here.

i’m a student at this school, as were my two older brothers. it is a great school, great way of teaching etc don’t get me wrong but there is definitely room for improvement.

the school gym, not the sports hall, is disgusting. i feel like there is no effort in cleaning it. walking in, unless you are wearing trainers, it feels disgusting. dirt, dust and crumbs stick to your feet. if you look in the corners you can see literal hair balls, piles of dust and rubbish. it is disgusting. if you need the toilet be sure to go else where as there is rarely soap and toilet roll in the gym changing room toilets, let alone the fact that there is no where to dry your hands.

next stop is the school toilets. they are damn awful. if there even is toilet paper it feels like you are using sand paper or nothing at all, it’s cheap and horrible. the soap dispensers are rarely full and if they are, be careful as the soap may cause a reaction to your hands. half the toilet doors are broken or the locks don’t work. also don’t use them at breaks or lunch, many kids eat in them.

next stop is desks and chairs. these are dangerous, the chairs i mean. they are easily broken and half of them are. the stools are like sitting on slabs of stone and are wobbly, one false move and you’re on the floor. the bottom of the desks are filled with dry gum and drawings/words that i am not allowed to repeat or describe whilst writing this.

stop number four. bullying. my school claims to have an amazing bullying system however it disappears from existence when help is needed due to bullying. a friend of mine has been bullied for the three years we have been there, has anything been done about it? no, and if it has then the victim is ignored. i got into serious trouble due to a girl turning on the waterworks and spreading rumours about me after i told her i didn’t want to be friends for any longer, i was ignored. she was sent home with a sick note saying that she “was having a panic attack”. lies. if you are LGBTQ+ or of colour please be careful. the school is littered with homophobic, transphobic and racist children and even some teachers. if you ever need anything, you’ll find out who i am soon enough. you’ll find me in the canteen.

last but not least, the science/tech blocks. half the computers along with their monitors are trashed in these departments. they are spending £2 million on a new science block!! this money should be spent on equipment, new desks and chairs, new computers and other things that actually need to be sorted. not a new science block for housing the many new students arriving in September 2021.

another point is also the food in the canteen. it isn’t the best i’ll admit but it is a source of warm food and drink. :))

if you got this far, thank you for reading this review. i do recommend the school but do be warned that there is serious room from improvement. :)) hope you and family are okay, have a great day.

About SchoolParrot

  • SchoolParrot is a review site for schools. We are a company that believes in more transparency within schools. Our platform is open to all users.
    Read about SchoolParrot and our company
  • Reviews are published in real-time without moderation and we want to encourage our users to provide constructive feedback and keep a serious tone. The responsibility lies with the user.
    Read our review guidelines