From ‘Socialist Eton’ to anarchy and riots

A place at Holland Park School was once considered a golden ticket but reports of bullying, intimidation and public shamings have shaken the community. So what now? Anna Davis reports

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WHEN my daughter got a place at Holland Park School we were envied by every-body,” says Charlotte Sones. “It’s a phenomenal environment to be in, an awe-inspiring place.” “It was like winning the lottery,” agrees Jodi Bartle, a mother of six, when her eldest child was allocated a place. “I thought oh my goodness this is the greatest thing for my family. I am completely sorted for the whole of the rest of my children’s secondary school career.”

The school, housed in a six-storey glass building next to Holland Park — the most expensive state school building in the country — is known for its “interesting, controversial, sexy reputation”, said one mother. Local families always loved its strong results and its truly comprehensive intake which has included the children of high-profile parents such as Michael Gove and former Commons Speaker John Bercow, as well as families from Grenfell.

But things have changed rapidly in the past few months. The reputation of the outstanding school which opened in 1950 and was once known as the “Socialist Eton” — Tony Benn sent his children there — has taken a battering. There have even been reports of a “Mad Max” situation, riots, strikes, teachers scared to discipline children and parents at loggerheads over its future.

Mumsnet is awash with stories of traumatised students and parents questioning their decision to send their children there. The chair of governors brought in to tackle the situation announced her plans to step down last week after nine months in the job.

“Things have changed in an unbelievably short time” says Jennifer Oukherfalla, mother of a child in year eight.