Eaton Square School

[Sheilamay]

I just got an acceptance for the Eaton Square School for my boy to start reception next year. He's on the waitlist for Knightsbridge as well. Does anyone have any inside knowledge of this school? It's good points and not so good points? Does it have a good reputation? There is a newish head, Sebastian Hepher who I heard good things. We're new to London and need help!

[Floggingmolly]

Didn't you research it before you applied?

[Sheilamay]

Yes I did Floggingmolly - no need for sarcasm btw - have been doing loads of research. On the surface it seems very solid - and I like they are opening a senior school so the stress of exams are lessened. I just was looking for some insight from current or former parents who sent their children there or from anyone who may offer more information that i simply cannot learn in a short period of time being so new to this area of London.

[MMmomKK]

Both of the schools you mention have similar reputations. They are not too pushy, not the most "academic" ones in the area.
They won't prepare your DS for 7/8+, but it might not be such a bad thing. (I personally think boys are pushed too much, too soon for these exams.)

if you like the feel of the school and HM seems OK - I'd say it's a good sign, and you should trust your gut.

[gloriette]

May I just clarify - is it your understanding that ESS is opening a senior school through to 18 yr? I can't find any info on it. Any thoughts would be very appreciated, as I am considering the school.

[contraryMe]

Sheliamay, are you sure that Eton Sq are OPENING a senior school? The school already goes up to years 7 & 8. Are you getting confused with that?

[cherokeee]

Latest issue of Belgravia Magazine (well known source of facts ;-). ) said Eaton Square is opening a senior school is Sept 2017 at a new premises on Piccadilly

[gloriette]

Confirmed by the School - premises in Piccadilly, overlooking green park, co-ed, Sep 2017 open. Great idea and i expect we will see more and more of these.

[primarykids15]

I have a child there and I cannot recommend it. Check their website to get an idea of how the school is run & go and have a look around to make your own decision. Grammatical errors from teachers, errors in homework, parent communication & management make it impossible to recommend.

[Sammy8]

I couldn’t agree more primarykids. I have kids there too.
Teacher selection and quality of teaching is not great! Kids are left unsupervised for long periods of time. Food is terrible too.
Be prepared to spend a lot more money on additional private tutors after school!

[user1493242132]

Sammy sorry but what do you mean by unsupervised for long periods of time? Is it a safety issue? Just trying to clarify as I am going to be sending my DD there this September.

[tfarah]

Eaton Square Mayfair has been a nightmare of a school and subsequently we didn't have an option but to remove our daughter from the school. They have lost approx 30 teachers in the last 2 years, the children are unhappy, parents are distraught, it has been a hellish experience and we would not recommend it whatsoever. The management of the school is below average, the children are out of control, the level of teaching has been one of embarrassment for a school which charges £7500+ fees per term, and many complaints have been made by a large number of parents which have gone unanswered, they will ofcourse not disclose this. In spite of their Ofsted report, this is a school that needs years of work and proper management. It is a scam, if there is a better way of putting it. Don't believe a word they tell you in the interview, perhaps ask the right questions ie. have any teachers been fired in the last 3 terms and why. How many teachers have left, how many headmasters have left, how many email complaints have been made in the last year by parents (as a private school they have no duty to divulge). More importantly, how many students are leaving the school this year, how many left last year. Good luck. My daughter is since at a lovely state school and she is thriving.

[Iepie]

Clearly communication has broken down between this school and some parents on this forum. I have two children in Y1 and Y4 at ESS (now together in new building) and they are very happy and learning lots without exaggerated amounts of pressure. Head has been there for years. Dedicated teachers and caring staff have surrounded my kids so far. We have been happy from nursery through to now Y4 and so are the children. Except indeed for the price tag which is like a punch in the gut each term.

[Becs12345]

I just googled the school out of curiosity what people where saying about their new building because it’s in my neighbourhood but I haven’t been inside as no longer have a child there. The above story doesn’t correspond with our experience. The staff certainly don’t deserve this sort of lashing out. We thought it was a very nurturing environment. I am not affiliated to the school but my daughter went until not long ago. She is now at our first school of choice (JAGS) as are many of her classmates. Yes with a bit of tutoring in last years but good luck finding anyone in London nowadays that doesn’t tutor towards the end. From current parents I have learned that, if anything, academic focus is increasing further from a level that was good in the first place.

I would say don’t rely on ‘disgruntled mumsnet’ because there are some rather sour grapes out there. If you can, I’d just go round to see the staff at work, to see how the children come across (happy, confident, polite?) and to ask all your questions in person when making your pick for a school.

[ChickSU]

We have gone through a hellish nightmare at this school last term and are trying to find a decent school as soon as possible. If you are left in too long, it is hard to get out and you are trapped by the whole term’s notice once you are in. If you stay, there is little guarantee thst your child will pass with decent grades or even have a chance to move to a decent sixthform.

[ChickSU]

I agree with you. This is just a business and the school does not look at the best interest of the child.

[ChickSU]

I would not send my child to their sixth form. They can not even run the secondary school so why are they opening a sixth form?

[Sammy8]

I cannot speak for others but in the 2-3 years my children were there, I witnessed small kids age no more than 6 being shouted at so loudly it scared me as an adult. I didn’t chose the school for its academic reputation as everyone knows that it isn’t what they are.
It was sold to me as a kind and nurturing environment. It turned out to be the opposite! Bullying is ripe and goes unpunished, and parents are treated like the enemy if any issues are raised. They are a business mainly, expanding rapidly. Teachers are innocent here as they also lack support and training which is not provided by the school. Many others have moved their children. It serves its purpose as a school for wealthy foreign families who move to London and cannot find an alternative.
My children are all in a different school now and we are all much happier even though it has taken them some time to catch up to their year group academically.

[Sammy8]

Sorry I haven’t logged in for a while. In reply to user 14932... yes for long enough for one boy to have concussion. Boys messing around on this occasion, not meaning any harm but no teacher was present!

[Sammy8]

Becs12345 is clearly affiliated with the school!

[Becs12345]

Hello, just a local and an ex parent. Not an employee. Sorry Sami we just liked ES and have fond memories as do many of our friends and neighbours. Sorry your experience was different but I hope you can now move on and that things work out better for your family at your new school.

People get very excited. Leaving this thread now.

[tfarah]

Hello,

The Secondary Mayfair school is a disgrace. I agree with the posts above. We took our child out mid way last year. Sub standard teaching, unqualified teachers, they sacked about 20 of them, so half way through term their classes were “without teacher” and I believe half of Year 9 left last year. They dont return your deposit too! I heard bullying is rife and if you make a fuss they turn against the child and the family. You just need to spend a few hours there to get a glimpse. The children are undisciplined and left to their own devices, a little like Animal Farm. The Heads are atrocious. I would absolutely not consider this school. The junior school I believe has a good reputation. I do know that they have received a ton of complaints (Mayfair school) which they try to keep hush hush. Steer clear of this school. Run with lots of money, and thats all it is.

[ChickSU]

One word that sums up Eaton Square Mayfair school: SHIT

[ChickSU]

This is a school that gives no child protection to victims of school bullies. Instead they will say that they have not seen anything, that there is no evidence. Even will go far enough to imply that the child has psychological problem or is creating stories. We have left from stress and physical harm and we feel great now. They are holding our money but we are not giving up without a fight.

[ChickSU]

You may think there is no way out and so you leave when things are quite late. We left last week in the mid of year 10 and already found a decent state school where they have fantastic GCSE results and have sent many to Oxbridge.

Where there’s a will, there usually is a way.

If you feel trapped in ESM, get out! The longer you stay, the more damage your child will face. Comparing standards to other schools of all types, ESM is well below standard. It is all your money down the drain for no good education.

I wish all parents and students that God helps them to leave ESM before it is too late.

The first set of GCSE results will be published this summer and I can tell you if the students do not do well, the school will put the blame on them. Please listen to your child and look for the truth, not the false things uttered by the ESM staff.

[ChickSU]

Tfarah,

ESM are not giving back our deposit and are holding 1 term’s fees unfairly. Please could I ask you to contact me. If you are interested, we are going to take legal action against ESM for what they did to my child as well as for holding the money. It would help immensely if more parents come forward to give statements to make our cases stronger. ESM will have great protection no matter what they do unless we all come together.