Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

[swanriver]

Did anyone find this school put too much pressure on their child? Or was it just right? It is clearly a wonderful school. But my child is average. I don't want him to struggle with the homework or/and have battles/tears over it, if the school expects more than he can give.

Any thoughts?

[squashpie]

My understanding (my cousin's son goes there)is that it very much designed to cater for a wide range of ability. They stream, so if you're kid is super-bright, they can handle that but, similarly, if they are average or need help, they can do that too. I think it has a nurturing ethos. My cousin seems very happy with it.

[norflondoner]

Did you see the article in today's Evening Standard?
Its not related to pressure on the children, but all the shenanigans and politics around admissions.
I don't think the pressure is that hard but the discipline imho is wayyyy over the top.

[swanriver]

read article typical Standard stuff to be taken with a pinch of s.

[xmb53]

My ds started year 1 this September. He is streamed into the top set and I think actually enjoys the challenge. The standard of his work had dramatically improved and he is shining in subjects where we thought he was lacking. He's re-started a musical instrument and joined a choir and played rugby for the 1st time. The school takes a good proportion of statemented children and are taught in smaller classes than average. It is truely comprehensive (although the Diocese wants to make it exculsively a rich-persons school with lower standards). Given the overall outstanding results, I recommend for any academic level. DS also thinks that the school meals are must better than primary school.

[doulasarah]

I've had children at the school on and off for years. It is not the right school for everyone, but I do not know of any school which is. My eldest was really unhappy; my second and third children have been very happy there. It would be a bad idea to go there if you don't like extreme pickiness over school uniform, haircuts etc. I admit there are lots of things I would like to change at the school, but there is much good there,and the Diocese is behaving monstrously in trying to put in its own Director of Education as a governor, and wants the school to scrap its admissions system in a way which will make it impossible for anyone, Catholic or not, to get a place unless they can afford to live in Kensington and Chelsea! As xmb53 says, a rich-persons school with lower standards.