Mumsnet Talk

Hello - I am the Principal of Bloo House School and would be absolutely delighted if you would visit us. It is only by visiting, talking to the students and staff that you will gain first-hand knowledge of what an innovative and fantastic school it is.

We have exciting times ahead as the school has been through steady growth since moving into our current building in December 2010. We are currently oversubscribed for certain year groups and in light of this increased interest, the search for a larger premises started last year. We will relocate within the area by 2014 in order to meet the demand for places.

The relocation and larger size does not mean that we will compromise our small school ethos and philosophy. After all, Bloo House was purposefully established to be a small school and we will continue to offer high-end, inspiring teaching in our new building.

We do our utmost to return phone calls and I can only apologise that we haven't managed to make contact with your friend.

Being a Mum of two young children I like to keep up with Mumsnet discussions and am always intrigued by threads about education and any about Bloo House! Thank you for your interest and I do hope that you will visit us.

Inclusionist Thanks for the article. Must be quite old as the school isn't in Hersham these days (I don't when it moved but it must have relocated as address is now Esher), also the fees are more expensive these days.

I looked online at their leavers' info and there were plenty of good schools, including lots of hard to get in to/highly selective.

Am going to enquire with the school and get some more info - although, a friend of mine telephoned the school recently and has yet to receive a call back so I'm not sure what that says!!

I find it interesting that one of its destinations is Hoe Bridge, which is a Prep school.

There's and article about the school here although I'm not sure how old it is.

Says it is a 'learning environment' as opposed to a school and as such will never be inspected wonder if I could get a job there.

Inclusionist - thank you. Interesting! I wonder what it means to be registered as a school. Or indeed what it was registered as...? A funfair? Poodle parlour? I will try and search for the thread you mention.

There was a thread on Bloo House once before that pointed out that it's not actually registered as a school?? That would worry me a little.

I also believe there are only about 20 children. So I can't imagine there's any competitive sport and everybody must have to be in the school play whether they like it or not! That may or may not be what your after.

I think (if I lived in the area) I would be very interested in the school for Early Years, but not beyond.

It depends what you're after.

Thank you mummytime. Really kind of you to post all that info.

The problem is that it doesn't define intelligence, which is something that psychologists etc. have been debating for years. A lot of schools have been known to use it eg. Secondaries do testing, and then pupils wear appropriate coloured badges. However what happens when 11 year olds swap their badges? (Which happens a lot.)
Also at primary age personality is not fixed but still very fluid.
Also the ideal is not to just teach certain "types" of children, but all children as individuals.

Any good school (especially primary) should be trying to teach logical-mathematical, linguistic, kinaesthetic, and spatial skills, they would also be working on interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills, along with, musical. A lot of schools do work much more on naturalistic especially given the Forest Schools movement and the EYFS need for work outside. It has also been noticed for 10+ years that the best schools seem to have a "spiritual" dimension.

So basically my problem with a school run to teach the Gardiner intelligences is, that I would want to know how they are doing this, and what their academic results are like.

Actually it does seem to be based on a rather old fashioned theory of learning, that a teacher presents information in a form to children and then they "learn". Where as more modern theories have a "learner" being more actively involved in their learning. It is also very true that sometimes learning in a way "not natural" to you, can help you learn.

But I don't know this school. It could be a good alternative to some rather old fashioned preps, but so could some state schools.

Hi mummytime

Thanks for your message. Do you know in what way Gardiner's intelligences are controversial? Am wondering whether it's controversial because it's not running with the norm or controversial for any proven probs? I'd be interested to know how the state primary you mention is doing. Do you know the school name and I'll google and have a read?

The location of Bloo House is not a prob but am keen to know more about it.

Thanks again.

I know a State primary which uses intelligences, I also know that Gardiner's intelligences are controversial to some extent. I have also never heard of the school, but it is in Esher, which is quite a commute from Guildford area.

Am looking at schools for Year 3 in the Guildford/Cobham area. Thought I had it sussed but am now wondering whether I should visit Bloo House. Anyone had any experience of it or know anyone who has? It seems to have a very interesting approach. Many thanks.