St Bernard's Catholic High School

Where do I even start… Roughly about 5 teachers were great and looked out for their students whilst I was there, but there was so much done wrong.

I’m now in my 20’s and was diagnosed with Autism coming out of school pretty quickly, which was missed numerous times whilst I was there despite being referred to the councillor (who somehow in my five years there I never saw once due to the “waiting list”… despite being extremely high risk but who knows?), Any sort of meltdowns, average behaviour of an autistic undiagnosed person who needed help etc was either punished, called home and I was given little to no help from SLT. I remember specifically one time having a breakdown in a maths class that the head teacher at the time, mr mahon was sat in, due to being overstimulated and he stopped me from leaving and made me still sit in the class. Even years on, this still haunts me. The bullying too was absolutely horrific, nothing was ever done about it. I remember specifically one time using the toilet in the DT block and having to lock myself in there because 5 lads were trying to break down the door to get in??? Absolutely terrifying to any woman!!

They also specifically treated my year group so much worse than the previous, threatened about prom, trips, end of year things all because of about 5 peoples behaviours. Every leaving year group got a photo on the stage with everyone in it holding a leavers sign, this was even a tradition from when my brothers were in school years before me! We didn’t get this which was just wild. I understand hating a year group you teach but that much??

Im sure it’s probably improved slightly now but genuinely if you want to be dishing out for therapy years after i wouldn’t recommend

I didn’t have as good of an experience as I was expecting. My mother was adamant about this school - insisting that academic wise, it was outstanding.
It was a nightmare being here as a late diagnosed (but back then undiagnosed) autistic girl.
Bullying - I was dismissed by basically anyone I went to. I ended up resorting to the police and I was told that it had been dealt with but I never felt like I got the justice I needed. My head of house was dismissive about my bullying case. She insisted that the boys were just trying to get a reaction out of me, not knowing someone made a fake account pretending to be me. Even when she found out, she did practically nothing. but she penalised me for my misbehaviour (valid). However, I had a rough time at home and I remember saying to her “my parents are going to kill me” with tears in my eyes, she still proceeded to call my dad and tell him what happened. Was it really necessary??? I could have gone to IE and learnt my lesson - but you made tensions worse at home. She dismissed my fanlike behaviour as typical but I could have gotten help sooner and known that I am neurodivergent. Besides - what normal person would make empty threats over some little comments about their favourite artist? I dont like the artist anymore but til this day I feel upset about how unfair I was treated.
Why did they refuse to let me go home when I was so ill and tired? I was met with a snarky remark after I said I could barely keep my eyes open in lessons “you’re awake now aren’t you?”. And from that day, I would constantly push the limits of my body, which has led to a prolonged burnout till this day.
They should also change their school counsellor who stereotypes autism and ADHD on 4 boys she knows. She came to the conclusion that I simply couldn’t have autism because I was a well behaved GIRL and that throughout her 20 years of counselling she’s only ever had 4 boys with ADHD. I got diagnosed in February 2024 with autism. 6 months on the waiting list for what.

I was happy to leave. I’m 18 years old now, and I will remember every single person and staff member who mistreated me and dismissed me, making me feel like I was not valid. I’m about to start university and I will never forget how awful it was being here. The smell, the people, the environment was terrible. But I won’t forget the odd teachers who were kind to me. And perhaps a teacher may recognise me, even if I’m anonymous because of certain details but I really don’t care. I’m speaking up finally so that I can let it off my back.

Has good facilities and food but when it comes to teachers and students it’s shocking. Favouritism,racism and harassment coming from teachers and they don’t help kids that are being bullied they just give detentions out like nothing. Even special need kids don’t get the support they need.

Absolute shithole, they do not care about people's mental health, and favouritism over other students.