Robertsham Primary School

Official Response from Robertsham Primary School

Thank you for taking the time to share your views. Robertsham Primary School values constructive feedback and recognises that individuals may have different experiences during their employment.

We are committed to fostering a professional, respectful and supportive working environment where all staff members are treated with dignity and fairness. Our leadership team strives to uphold the principles of the South African Schools Act, the Employment of Educators Act, the Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM), SACE’s Code of Professional Ethics and the school’s policies in all our interactions and decision-making.

Staff members are encouraged to raise concerns through the appropriate internal channels, where they are given due consideration and addressed in accordance with established procedures. We believe that open communication, fairness and mutual respect are essential to maintaining a positive school environment.

While we respect every individual’s right to express an opinion, we are unable to comment publicly on matters relating to current or former employees due to our commitment to confidentiality and the privacy of all parties involved.

Robertsham Primary School remains dedicated to providing a positive learning environment for our learners and a professional workplace where staff are supported to grow and succeed.

We wish all our current and former staff members success in their future endeavours.

I am writing this as a former employee to share my honest experience and to make other prospective teachers aware of the working environment at Robertsham Primary School.

There is a concerning leadership culture that does not consistently reflect professionalism or mutual respect. Teachers, particularly newer staff members, are not always treated as professionals. Communication from leadership can feel patronising and dismissive, which creates an environment where teachers feel undermined rather than supported.

There is also a noticeable lack of balanced and fair mediation when staff concerns arise. Situations involving learners are not always handled in a way that makes teachers feel heard, supported, or protected. Leadership responses can at times feel one-sided, which contributes to low staff morale and professional frustration.

The leadership approach can feel highly authoritative and hierarchical rather than collaborative. This creates an atmosphere where teachers may feel uncomfortable raising concerns or speaking openly.

Prospective teachers, especially those new to the school, should be aware of this environment before accepting a position. A supportive leadership structure is essential for professional growth, and unfortunately this was not consistently the experience during my time there.

The school is great, the teachers are experienced and the principal is the best