Anyone with children at St John's Beaumont, Windsor?

[avenanap]

I'm thinking of moving my ds there, I'm after information/ admission help. Many thanks.

[QueenMeabhOfConnaught]

It's Jesuit, isn't it? Is that your sort of thing? I should think the spiritual stuff will be quite heavy.

[LadyOfWaffle]

A friend went there, very good reputation. I don't think it's overly religious in an overpowering way - my friend is Catholic, not sure exactly what religion it is there.

[avenanap]

Hmm, I'm considering things very carefully, a member of staff from there has just moved to ds's school, some of his behaviour is very interesting. I wasn't sure if it was a job requirement for the staff. The teacher has told me that I should be looking at somewhere like this for ds, I need the lowdown so that I can make an informed decision.

[nannynick]

Recently a parent at the school I pick up from was talking about St John's Beaumont, saying that it is one of the schools often used by Catholic parents. She was saying that her daughter goes to a Marist school and many parents there sent their son's to St Johns.
I don't know how religious the school is, but it does state on their website that it is a Catholic boys school, and they say "in a Jesuit tradition". The registration form does ask what religion child and parents practice/believe.
Admissions is on a first come, first served basis it appears - with registrations being considered in the order in which they are received.

[QueenMeabhOfConnaught]

Did the teacher say why he recommended this particular school? What was so interesting about his behaviour? I'm baffled!

[nannynick]

The teacher's behaviour is interesting?
In what way?
Can you provide any more info as to why the teacher feels the place would be good for your DS, say compared to any other local independent school in the area.

[ScienceTeacher]

I live near there (my boys went to their next door neighbour prep school though).

They seem very typical for boys' prep schools in this area - lots of tradition, high expectations and good family values.

It's a Catholic School from the Jesuit Order.

[avenanap]

ds is very bright and is a bit behind in his social skills. Teacher recons ds needs to go to a strict boarding school with strict head and lots of discipline . Teacher has been arguing with parents about their abilities as parents, he's given me a number of suggestions as to schools, all of them boarding, all of them nowhere near home. He's not been at ds's school very long and is already thought of as being odd in his beliefs about raising children. Can't quite put my finger on it. He doesn't listen to what I say to him about ds though, thinks he's right. Only known ds since september and has spent no time with him. I'm finding this odd. He thinks ds will grow up to be a delinquent and is too opinionated. (ds is 8)

[nannynick]

Are you looking at the school from a day pupil point of view, or boarding? Also, I recognised your username... have you posted about AS/ASD's at all in the past? (trying to figure out why your username is looking familiar).

[nannynick]

x-post there, I think

[QueenMeabhOfConnaught]

Well, the Jesuits certainly used to be known for their "discipline"!!! Is this teacher from the Dark Ages? I wonder what kind of school he thinks it is?

[nannynick]

8 in my view is a young age to board. Though saying that, the oldest child I nanny (age 9) has been weekly boarding successfully since the beginning of this school year - children do adjust to it, and some may get on well with being a boarder.

[avenanap]

What do you mean Queen? He used to teach there, I know nothing about the school so that I have an understanding (????) of where he's coming from. I told you he was odd!

[QueenMeabhOfConnaught]

I'm wondering if this teacher imagines that the school is full of Torquemadas flailing the children at every opportunity.

[nannynick]

Can I ask if your DS currently attends a state or independent school? Plus is your DS's current school not able to cope with his needs, for some reason... is that why the teacher is suggesting he goes elsewhere? Also, who would be paying... as going to boarding school will cost quite a bit, is it something you can afford?

[QueenMeabhOfConnaught]

Although, obviously, Torquemada wasn't a Jesuit!!!!!!

[avenanap]

He only wants him to board because I'm a single mum, he thinks that ds needs to be around "male role models" (he doesn't consider ds's sports coach, male friends of mine, male family members, ds's father, etc to be of any benefit to ds!)

[QueenMeabhOfConnaught]

Avenanap, I would take everything he says with a pinch of salt. He does not appear to have your child's best interests at heart.

[nannynick]

Oh, is it a single mum thing do you think? Does he feel you can't raise a son!

[avenanap]

Nannynick, It's independent, they appear to be doing nothing except telling him off for things that others are doing then letting the others off (if you see where I am coming from). He thinks he knows what is best for my child after knowing him all of 2 minutes, he's wrote him off because ds has opinions, I try to offer guidance on how best to manage ds's opinions but I am ignored. Do you think I should have told him that I have trained in child psychology? Expects me to fund this. I don't think this is going to happen, I'm just wondering about what the hell he's going on about and whether the school is all he says it is.

[nannynick]

Sounds to me as though this teacher may not be able to cope with your DS, does not want to help him with developing his social skills. If the teacher has identified a problem, such as delayed social skills / impaired ToM (Theory of Mind), then surely the teacher along with school support staff, should be working with your DS to better identify any issues and resolving them. Telling you to send your child away, to a boarding school, I don't think is very helpful.
One term to go... then it's the summer break. Next school year, with luck your DS won't have this teacher.

[nannynick]

Trained child psychologist hey... could be worth mentioning to him. Perhaps he will then respect your views more. If you are a Dr of Psychology use the Dr title, may scare the teacher off.

[avenanap]

Hmm. Not when I'm talking about the headteacher. Hence the fact I'm looking for a new school. I've taught ds social skills myself and he has made tremendous progress. I can't get any support from the school because the head won't listen to me. He's insistent that ds should go away to board. I don't see how he's going to learn these skills if he is removed from the only loving and caring environment that he has had. One term to go, I'll either move him or home ed until I can find him somewhere. I'm not sure about why he's suggested the St John's school though????

Thankyou nannnynick.

[nannynick]

If the head won't listen to your views as a parent, its probably time to look at moving school. Your son needs teachers/headteacher who respect him for who he is... who can challenge him and enhance his knowledge in the areas where he already excels, while supporting him (and also you) though any areas of difficulty.
Are there other local independent schools you could look at? Does your son want to change schools, or is he happy where he is?

[avenanap]

Hi nannynick. ds is happy but has told me that he thinks the head thinks very little of him. I'm going to see a new one tomorrow and have not told the head of the current school where we are going so he can't have a chance to comment on ds. I have explained to the school I am going to see that ds needs a bit of support socially so I'll have to wait and see. He doesn't require alot of guidance when he's with me because he's very thoughtful and kind, it came as a shock when the current head told me that ds had no ability to care about others, even his friends tell me how nice he is to them and I have never been told this before. ds is very gifted and I'm not sure if the head finds this overwhelming.