The Spires College

really bad i studied here and i didnt get help at all i got ignored and not helped with bullying. I disliked this school so much and i would suggest to not send your kids here. most of the teachers are bad, you would do nothing wrong and you would get picked on. Other students would do something bad and i would get the blame for it. i literally got crofton because i asked to use the toilet because of certain reasons and they said no, i couldn't just sit there so i walked out for only a couple minutes came back apologised and explained why then i got crofton until 4!! when i got bullied i got started on in a fight, there was cameras and then the school said i hit the person first to my parents which i didn't. i got them to check the cameras because they was trying to get me into trouble.

I went to Spires College throughout year 7-11 as an autistic student. Years 7-9 was a good experience and though I was bullied, the SEND was respectful to me. However, when SEND staff changed and Mrs Kolek left, a whole 180 happened. They went from being respectful and understanding to inconsiderate and downright awful. They would disregard meltdowns and treat kids with meltdowns as if they're essentially criminals and give you very limited time to regulate. Multiple friends literally had to transfer schools because of how bad it was. They also got my EHCP taken away from me, even though I needed those accommodations and now in college, I'm unable to get accommodations or special needs working experiences because of this, and because I was 15 at the time and you have to wait over 3 years to reapply, I can't just get it back. Don't get me started on the bullying! I was bullied my entire time there. I was ridiculed, threatened, rumours spread about me and at one point, my friend got stalked due to associating with me. The school did nothing to stop this. Also don't expect the school to keep you anonymous when you've reported something like bullying or abuse going on in someone's homelife, they will put your name in full blast and downright put you in danger. Teachers were a mixed bag overall. Some were considerate but most would purposely turn a blind eye to bullying and discrimination. Counsellor was awful towards me. I told them I was bullied and they flat out told me to dissociate, no joke. Don't expect them to keep your problems anonymous either, they will tell parents everything even if it's highly personal and irrelevant. They even had a whole assembly where they told students that committing suicide and being suicidal is selfish and that you're an awful person if you think about taking your own life, which is just absolutely disgusting and left me in tears afterwards as I had attempted a few months prior. I would repeatedly return home crying because of this school, because of both staff and student's deplorable bullying. The best day of my life was leaving that school and leaving with my GSCE results for good. Please, if you have any respect for your children, do NOT send them here, especially if they're disabled or a person of colour. It will destroy any self esteem or stability that they have left.

Excellent education, supporting staffs and good environment for students .

Appalling school, the only students who will do well here are the ones who are already academically clever to fit inside there box. If your not then your worth nothing and made to feel that way, senior staff bullied my son which caused severe mental health problems, which they already new he was suffering with severe anxiety and adhd, made false accusations against him and once we proven they were false by winning an independent panel review they still would not take any accountability. The outcome was that the principal’s decision “was not one a reasonable person would make” which couldn’t be more fitting, the principal is a narcissistic liar who enjoys belittling and bullying children, which was obvious to the panel at the review. Same goes for the rest of the senior leadership team especially the deputy head, who had already previously had to apologise for defamation by dramatising a false story to make fit and intimidating bullying behaviour towards a 12 year old boy, this was 2 years prior and I believe this is one of the reasons why the continued to make my son’s life hell. My son’s support worker was fantastic but unfortunately she privately called me and admitted being silenced by them as they treat staff the same way, also told me not to follow on because she will never fairly reinstate, she has it in for him and that’s that. You only have to look at the staff turn around each year. Vile people who should not be allowed to work with children, Although we proved all Of the above and the victimisation, the director of the education team at Torbay council had a meeting with me and my son and agreed he was treated appallingly and that many changes were to come for the school, who have been formally warned to follow guidelines.

I mean it's okay. I'm able to get support for my issues (not all, but it's always something) and pursue my passions which I really appreciate. Teachers are a lot better than they used to be, judging by older reviews. Obviously some are worst, but most are okay. School food is pretty good. Especially the chips. Love the chips. I wish we didn't have to wear uniforms because I feel like a lot of the students would feel more comfortable in their own clothes (within a reasonable dress code) but other than that it's a pretty alright school I guess.

Do not attend this school if you're child suffers from anxiety or is anxious in any way. They do not support like they say they will, instead they treat the individual as a naughty child.

I hate every single thing about this school. My life has gotten considerably worse every single day just by going to this school. It has made me despise my existence.

It’s a great school, it has amazing qualities and facilities, but I’ve had trouble with the playground it’s small and lots of the kids don’t enjoy it but foods great learning is great but it’s expertise in stopping kids hurting each other and arguing is not in my reviewable terms but overall a great school. From Anonymous :)

Miss Tyler is the best

Terrible school. Unprofessional staff who seem to bully pupils. Some students too scared to attend certain lessons due to the teacher. Confiscating people’s own property for days as it’s part of their ‘policy’. I saw endless bullying amongst students and even some staff that caused people to leave the school. A change of uniform, new head teacher and calling themselves a ‘College’ does not make them any better I’m afraid. Avoid at all costs.

Generally a good school, if you do whats right. Teachers are funny and supportive and help you both academically and emotionally. The mental health system however is not the best. My friends been on the waiting list for over a year. There's only one councillor for over 1k students and therefore better mental health support needed !!

It’s a very good school, some work could be done with support of mental health and safety of others and how they handle bullying but apart from that it’s excellent

SEN support has gone down hill massively since Mrs Kolek left. No one else cares

Struggled to come in when i moved but now in inclusion and things are better.

Teachers don’t teach and there is less support than there should be for students with mental disabilities. Would never ever send my child there. Bullying is very common and kids are uncontrollable. AWFUL SCHOOL