An awful school for bullying. I left around 15 years ago and it is difficult to believe how it has affected my life. My self worth and self belief was destroyed and it’s taken until my 30s for me to really start flourishing. Even in a high earning job, it doesn’t make up for how this place changed me.
During my time here, I enjoyed flourishing in my educational achievements and gaining new friends. However, while I agree that from an onlookers view the school seems outstanding, from personal experience there is much to be improved upon. It was uncommon for students’ mental health to be a priority; stress would often be ignored as teachers favoured their subjects by piling on homework, forgetting that students have multiple lessons.
During certain lessons, I would be pushed to tears as some teachers would scream that we had not done the work that had been set (this was news to the class) and though we tried to explain that the work had not been set yet, the answer we were met with was “Don’t answer back!”
In lessons that I was struggling in, I often felt that I was picked on. When it came to exam papers being handed back, certain teachers would make it extremely clear to the rest of the class that I was the lowest mark; I felt belittled.
I also found it rather ridiculous that when a student who came in a car was late, they would get a detention, yet those who travelled by bus were free to go. Do we not all travel in the same traffic? To punish one while letting another have no consequences did not and still does not make sense to me.
The large issue I had with All Hallows was the enforcing of the uniform. I understand that there is a uniform policy and that it is the rules of the school to follow that policy. However, I feel that there was an unnecessary ‘Uniform Army’ as even the smallest of things were picked on. During Yr7, on my first week I wore some small stud earrings (with small Diamantés which is against the policy) after getting my ears pierced. I was extremely nervous as we had to take our Yr7 pictures. Once I sat down in front of the camera, two members of staff came over and told me that I had to take my earrings out. I couldn’t as they were still healing and this prompted one member of staff to reach at my ear and try and take my earring out for me. My Yr7 picture ended up with me having red puffy eyes.
During summer, you had to keep your jumper on until you were told by a member of staff that it was “Hot Day Procedure” which left many students feeling faint. For a time, we did not have lockers; when it was raining, we would wear our coats but during school, we were not allowed to carry them around. We had no locker to put them in so what were we supposed to do?
The length of girls’ skirts were constantly picked on, even if they couldn’t physically buy a bigger skirt. This is not good for young girls’ self images and this action of staff observing children’s uniform is inappropriate, in my opinion.
I must stress that, while I most definitely did enjoy my time here, I struggle to understand why the members of staff care more for the length of a skirt than the bullying that the students may be facing.
Shame the staff don't speak to the teenagers with the respect that they expect back. Sometimes there might actually be a genuine reason for late arrivals, or late homework. Could there be things happening at home? Bad traffic, accidents on the way causing pupils to be late. But parents who cant afford the bus, their children get penalised for being in the same traffic. Bus children don’t. Teachers seem to have an attitude to everything being bad. Shame really as the school could be outstanding again if only children would actually be listened to. Communication between parents, children and the school is low.
Overall a great school, but don't take bullying nearly as serious as they Should. Put education before everything, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.
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