Notable omissions - Tatler Schools Guide (South East)

[nightsky010]

A friend and I were looking at the Tatler Schools Guide (South East area) and noticed quite a few schools which were surprisingly absent. Can anyone provide insights on why this would be?

I assume they consider aspects such as exam resilts, exit results / uni destinations, quality of teaching, facilities, financial stability of the school, type of pupils, how fashionable the school is, direction the Head is trying to take the school in etc ? But even taking the above into account there are still some schools omitted which I would expect to see.

Examples from the south east area:

Somerhill / Yardly Court, Tonbridge:
It has never been in the guide afaik. This is the main feeder school for Tonbridge FGS! How can it not be in there? Doesn't it tick all the boxes above? Other Preps included in the area are Holmwood House (every year) & Rose Hill (dropped out recently).

Rose Hill, Tunbridge Wells:
Was in there 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 but not 2016. Wonder why it's dropped out for 2016? It's got great exits & results. Has it also become unfashionable?

Hilden Grange, Tonbridge:
Has never been included, anyone surprised by that? (Hope I'm referring to the correct school there!)

Lancing College, West Sussex:
In the guide 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 but NOT 2015, 2016. Doesn't this school have a national reputation? Isn't it very old & established? Very famous Chapel, even has a farm. Has it become unfashionable? Why did it drop out? I did see it's not been the top performer in the county for several years as its been 2nd place to Ardingly College which has the highest results in the county (in the guide for every year). Could that be why? Plenty of schools with lower results are in.

Ashdown House, East Sussex:
Did this drop out of the guide around the time of the terrible allegations?? That would explain it. It's back in now.

Insights / speculation / comments appreciated!

[chantico]

"Can anyone provide insights on why this would be?"


Because, apart from the big name schools which they could not omit, the featured schools are those which have paid to advertise in the relevant supplements.

[nightsky010]

Hmm, I'm not quite that cynical! But it's a good point of course.

[StarTravels]

All schools pay to be included? Is that true?

[Lowdoorinthewall]

I don't think schools do pay to be written up in Tatler. DS's prep was in for the first time ever this year and it seemed to be a bit of a surprise to everyone.

How schools are included/ not seems to be pretty arbitrary. Just depends on what the compilers fancy putting in that year according to their 'research'.

It is NOT an objective guide based on any given success criteria and really should be taken with a pinch of salt!

[chantico]

Look at who is advertising in it, and who is written up in it.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I agree about Yardley Court. Fantastic school. And Hilden Grange to a lesser extent. Very very strong reputations.

I always thought there was a formula schools had to follow to be included.

[BYOSnowman]

Neither of my kids schools are in there but two of their 'pudgier' rivals are. The kids schools are both small and have excellent results. But then they also rely (successfully) on word of mouth to fill places so perhaps aren't so keen on the extra publicity?

Or they're just considered a bit rubbish maybe!!

[BYOSnowman]

Pudgier should say pushier!

[AFewGoodWomen]

The Tatler guide is very far from even trying to be objective. It is similar to a Top 50 White Shirts this season list. Based on advertising, friends of friends, rumour, gossip, personal connections, personal prejudices and a dash of name checking the Big Beasts.

[Dungandbother]

I work in the field (Tatler not at T tho.)
Trust me, it's research to an extent. A very small extent. And advertising. And circulation revenue. Which explains the repetition of the same schools as they will all buy it to make themselves feel better about their choice because they are in it.

And the editorial team will consist of a mid range editor and a minimum wage intern. Hardly exhaustive research. What did we say last year???