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Holland Park School Employee Reviews

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United Kingdom27 reviews

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3.3Work-life balance
3.2Pay & benefits
3.4Job security & advancement
3.4Management
3.2Culture

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Holland Park School

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The typical day at work is fast paced. What I learnt is that the school has a high turn over rate, plus to support students with special educational needs. The management is done well and is structured, but sometimes you are focused into tasks that you don't want to do. The workplace culture is encouraged and supported by your department. The hardest part of the job supporting students and not having the correct training to help them succeed.The most enjoyable part of the job is working with the young people.

Pros

Holidays and working with young people

Cons

short breaks and being talked belittled.
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Very bad would never work there again

What is the best part of working at the company?I experienced bullying and was lied to What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Being lied to and not given the opportunity I deserved What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Poisen very bad atmosphere a case of if your face fits What is a typical day like for you at the company?Awful experience hated itToxic bullying line manager
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Horrific place to work

Awful, toxic environment. I worked at least 70hrs a week to get by, nothing was good enough, I did not feel valued or respected. Having nice candles and expensive paint on the walls was more of a priority than providing teachers with sufficient printing credit, equipment, and LSAs for students with needs.

Pros

Students and colleagues are nice (except SLT)

Cons

Everything.
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Terrifying management

Unacceptable management style. Bullying management culture pupil are enjoyable and talented. Clear space to work and direction on what needs to be done

Pros

Professional environment

Cons

Poor management
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Lovely kids, unacceptable management

The management preyed on inexperienced teachers who know no better: the stress and expectations placed on staff here were neither normal nor necessary.NQTs who worked a minimum of 12 hours per day - plus weekends - were idolised rather than helped. Other staff were made to feel guilty for going to the gym or making half term plans.Lessons were theatrical, in that they were largely for show - as were many of the school’s burdensome, legalistic, and frankly excessive policies. I would not recommend working here.

Pros

Lovely kids

Cons

Long hours, culture of fear
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Insights into Holland Park School

Based on 6 survey responses
What people like
  • Clear sense of purpose
  • Ability to meet personal goals
  • Ability to learn new things

Fast Paced and professional setting

I am approaching my twentieth year now that I have been working at Holland Park School. In the time that I have worked at HPS I have seen the changes that have been good for the students and staff. NQTs have gone on to become Leadership or leading practitioners. Staff development has always been crucial to the development of the school I am proud to be part of institution that strives and continues to improve the welfare and the wellbeing of students. I have seen the constructive changes that has led to HPS being a teaching school. I feel I have been lucky to be part of an institution that is consistently determined to give every student from whatever their background the opportunity to gain decent grades or outstanding grades to support them with the challenges that lay ahead for them. I am proud that my line manager is a teacher who I witnessed going from being a maths teacher to a lead teacher and then on to a member of the leaderships team.Being from the local community, I remember a time when parents didn’t want their children to attend the school as it had a bad reputation, however now it is the total opposite. Parents’ evenings were embarrassing, now it is the complete opposite as parents are extremely keen to attend parents’ and open events. When I started the exam results were in the 30th percentile but now they are in the 90th percentile. I believe that teachers and associate staff are treated as valued members of HPS. As they say, to make a perfect curry you need every ingredient just like Holland Park School needs all teachers and staff to play their - 

Pros

Job security, holidays, staff
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Productive, fast paced environment

Faced paced and professional environment. I feel valued and well managed in terms of my short term and long term goals. All hard work is rewarded and valued at Holland Park School. The leadership team are pro-active and work extremely hard to push you to be the best version of yourself.
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Inspiring a student-focused culture

It is a joy to work at Holland Park School and feel the strength of the teamwork and mutual loyalty among colleagues. The fulcrum of the school's activities are the students, and we the teaching staff are impelled by our determination to ensure a happy and successful future for them. Each teacher's unique set of skills is valued and respected by senior school leaders, and there is a collaborative and creative approach to the task of helping each staff member realise their full potential.
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Exciting, Challenging and Rewarding!

I have been working at Holland Park School for 11 years now. Ever since I joined this institution, I felt a sense of belonging, purpose and most importantly feel a huge part of the success achieved by all of our students. The leadership Team at the school demand that our students have access to excellent teaching and an exceptional learning environment. I have found that throughout my time at HPS, The leadership Team has offered me support and guidance every step of the way, and provided me with opportunities to reach my full potential in an exciting and ever changing career. Yes there are always challenges, but they are always matched with even greater reward and successes. From the first day you join HPS you immediately appreciate and recognise that this is no ordinary school, but something really special that you can be a part and thrive. The design of the building and the stunning classrooms are out of this world, you immediately feel a sense of privilege being able to call this place work. 11 years on and I still feel there is more to come along this exciting journey, I thank my lucky stars that I can say, I am a part of Holland Park Secondary School.

Pros

Challenges and Rewards
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Invested

I have been teaching here for nearly 6 years. I have felt as though I have been invested in by leaders over the years to ensure that I am a reflective practitioner that strives their best for the benefit of students. My confidence has improved two - fold and with that, so has my practice. I have had regular opportunities for professional development and progressed in my role and responsibilities at the right time for me in my career. I have achieved way more than I thought I was able to. I feel as though I have had an element of freedom with schemes of work and planning trips and feel comfortable going to managers with new ideas. Standards are high but that's what makes the school "outstanding".I would recommend working at Holland Park if you wish to become the best practitioner you are capable of being.

Pros

Investment
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Poor Leadership, manipulative, disrespectful and belittling

- Leadership team are controlling will not listen to the opinions of others and treat teachers like children. - Punish those who leave (worst classes, reducing or removing pay without warning, rude or no reference) - No union presence, intimidate anyone who goes to the union with an issue
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Terrifying culture, extremely damaging for the mental and emotional well-being of staff

A culture of fear and intimidation for all members of staff and particularly those with a voice who disagree with the way the Headmaster runs the school. Students are a joy but equally terrified of Senior Leadership staff. Staff do not tend to stay for longer than 2 years.
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Controlling and frightening culture

The students are fantastic. Unfortunately they are not treated equally and staff are made aware of who has the most important parents - these children will have their books marked first and in the most detail. Staff turnover is so high because the demands placed on teachers are unreasonable. The leadership team use underhand tactics, such as threats of disciplinaries for vague situations that they will not explain as this would trigger a disciplinary, leaving the employee feeling vulnerable and frightened. The culture is very much one of fear for students and staff alike and it is not uncommon for students and staff to be publicly humiliated, for example by being made to sit in order of who earns the most to the least, or being a student who is screamed at in the atrium of the school when you know that the school's 'open door' teaching policy means that most of the student and staff bodies can hear what's being shouted at you. I would not recommend taking a job at Holland Park School.
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Think hard

The students are lovely. The management do have high standards which I admire. The management are young and they do not have the experience to mentor or guide you. If you are able to work independently and not be guided but then willing to suffer the consequences of any mistakes made, then this is the school for you. Continuing professional development does not exist. Teachers disappear for requesting pay rises. Ethnic minorities are advised not to apply.
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A very difficult culture to work in

The students at Holland Park School are wonderful however the work environment is very difficult. I felt bullied and micromanaged most of the time. Staff turnover is incredibly high. Much of the work you are forced to do is insignificant to the task of educating children. The turnover is incredibly high and SLT very inexperienced. Working at Holland Park School made me miserable and ill.
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Great culture, great students

I was so pleased to come to a place of work that actually takes itself seriously. In a few of the jobs I did before, managers were not interested in my work, there was a culture of filling time and going home as soon as the shift finished. Here, everyone takes pride in their work. It is definitely demanding, and you get to know if your work isn’t good enough! But the place is organised, the vast majority of staff want to produce the best experience for students and students are (unusually) appreciative of extra clubs you run and trips you take. I recommend it.
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Demanding but rewarding place to work

 It is a fast-paced, professional environment. The students are wonderful and the leadership team are inspiring.  We all work hard but I am proud of what we achieve.
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Repetitive yet rewarding

Although it was a volunteering role meaning that I did not have a salary, the job was still somehow rewarding as I felt as though I was genuinely helping people when returning books, maintaining the order of books e.t.c.
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Hollandparkschool is an outstanding wellcoming school where your full potential can be met from the reception to the teachers and headteacher .

My experience with Holland Park school was an interesting one because the student and staff was very supportive and encouraging. The school environment is calm and and peaceful where ones full potential can be met working with the teachers who encourages you to be the best teacher with commitment and hard work and how to deal with difficult students when the need arises.
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I was placed for the school experience in Holland Park School for 2 days.

I got the opportunity to observe the lesson of KS3,KS4, and KS5 at Holland Park School. it was a fruitful and stimulating experience.the programme was well organised and managed. I also attended the lectures on Managing students' behaviour, Engaging students in the class and relevance of ITT programme.
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challenging

i would be helping younger children at my Secondary learn how to use certain software and programs on the computers. it was challenging as many kids found it hard to learn but it was enjoyable as i was the one teaching them new skills.
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Overall rating

Based on 30 reviews

Ratings by category

3.3 out of 5 stars for Work/Life Balance
3.2 out of 5 stars for Salary/Benefits
3.4 out of 5 stars for Job security/advancement
3.4 out of 5 stars for Management
3.2 out of 5 stars for Culture

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