Rendcomb College, Gloucestershire

[morequestions]

Does anyone have any views on Rendcomb College? Thinking about it for sixth form for my child. I know the new Head has reduced fees to build up numbers in the sixth form - how is this working out? Would it be a good place for a very academic but disorganised child?

Thank you.

[happygardening]

It doesn't have a very academic reputation. The chap who delivered my Waitrose order last year left at the end of yr 11 and went to Cirencester College, other friends know children who were there and they also report not great grades and say Cirencester is as good if not better.
Having said this I guess it's small enough to possibly support a disorganised child.
IMO (for what it's worth) "very academic" children thrive in very academic environment with other very academic children they need others of siniliar ilk to thrive, Rendcombe is small and I doubt it had lots of super bright pupils. Others of course will disagree but assuming he's organised enough to get the grades that reflect his ability then if I was you I'd be looking for somewhere more academic than Rendcombe.

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Thank you. Does anyone have any recent experience of the school?

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Bump. Anyone?

[MuffinTumMum]

Hi. Summer results at this school were great. Teaching staff in the majority are , in my opinion committed and focused on the individual. Emphasis is on day to day experience and community. If you are all about results then it is not the school for you. If you want a very positive, modern approach to education with outstanding pastoral care which looks at your child holistically , then take a look. I don't work there . Feel free to ask any questions.

[morequestions]

Thank you.

Do you know anything about the sixth form particularly? I know the numbers have doubled this year (still small though!) and wondered whether that has caused any problems with timetabling / teaching / management? Also, what is the general view of the new Head if you don't mind me asking?

We visited and absolutely loved the nurturing / family feel of the place. DC is extremely academic but with SpLD so needs more support with various life skills than average. Would DC still be likely to get A/A*s at A-level at Rendcomb I wonder?

[MuffinTumMum]

If this years results are anything to go by then I can't foresee a problem re sixth form. This area of the school was completely under-utilised historically so its operating now as it should be. New head very well regarded. Lots of changes, transition has been smooth and welcomed. Very approachable and is clued into what parents and children want abs need from a forward thinking education. If you are unsure then maybe talk further to head of sixth or subject heads. Ultimately my opinion would always be to choose the school you feel your child will be happiest. Hope that helps.

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DC already is at a grammar school and could easily stay for sixth form. Also has a scholarship offer for another local private school with a more academic reputation.

Arrgghh. It's a real head or heart decision....

[ifonly4]

We looked at Rendcombe with a view to applying for a sixth form scholarship in music. DD is passionate about music and wanted to be somewhere she could be stretched and gain a lot more experience than her local comp. It came across as a lovely school in lovely surroundings, but we ruled it out for her as it's quite small and that limits what they can offer her personally - larger schools will have a lot more concerts on a large choice of music clubs. Also, she has lots of friends at the moment and going to Rendcombe would certainly limit that as it's small and you're not going to get on with everyone.

If your DC is interested in art for sixth form, then I would say that what I saw was outstanding. On the other hand, if he enjoys extra curricular activities at his present school, the choice is going to be limited.

We didn't apply for Rendcombe in the end, but two others, both of which have offered places. We've gone for the one that felt right from the start if that helps.

[MuffinTumMum]

Average A Level result was AAA this summer at Rendcomb. 95% of pupils gained their first choice uni. What's " not academic " about that? Some serious middle class posturing from contributors who don't have children at this school. Let's all take a breath and remember that if you are considering private education for your child you are in a cohort of a very privileged few. As has been said a few times OP, go with your gut and choose the best school for your child. You can't go wrong. Good luck with your decision making!

[happygardening]

"Average A Level result was AAA this summer at Rendcomb."
There website says 68% achieved A* to B in their A levels in 2016. I'm no mathematician sure how that translate to average result AAA.

[happygardening]

Here has similiar if not overall better results than Rendcombe and it's free. It's "The Sunday Times Comprehensive" school of the year 2016.

[happygardening]

This is a better link.

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Thanks for everyone's thoughts, all of which, both positive and negative, are helping me mull it over.

No decision made yet - but I'm getting there!

[paprika20]

Hi Morequestions
I just stumbled across this thread, and although you may have already made your tricky head or heart decision, wanted to share some brand new head-weighted info on Rendcomb’s academic standards, ….as was pretty disturbed at how some of the contributors’ perceptions were so woefully lagging behind reality, and concerned that these unsupported negative comments would be off-putting to any parents out there who were considering Rendcomb for 6th Form (or for any other form for that matter). In stats published by the Department of Education last week, Rendcomb came top among Gloucestershire independent schools for progress, and second for students “achieving three A Level grades at AAB or higher where at least two are in ‘facilitating subjects’”. “Progress” is measured by how much progress students made from the end of key stage 4 to A Level - a fantastic, and impartial, testament to outstanding levels of teaching at Rendcomb. Out of all the highly rated academic schools in the county, only CLC topped Rendcomb on the achievement measure. Of course the Rendcomb cohort is small compared to the other schools, but this actually makes it harder to gain a higher percentage in the tables statistically as one disappointing result would see Rendcomb’s average plummet, whilst a similar outcome in a large school wouldn’t make a dent in their ranking. Here’s the link to a truly unbiased measure of academic success:
www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/compare-schools
I’m a parent of two DD’s at Rendcomb, one in Y11 (with fantastic grade predictions after a very average start in Y7) and one in Y8, who was offered 3 grammar school places, which we turned down in favour of the many additional advantages Rendcomb had to offer. From a heart perspective, it’s a warm, inclusive, supportive, and stunningly beautiful environment to spend those tricky teenage years in. Also has the best new performance facility this side of London!

[sushimaniac]

For what it's worth, I heard really good reports of Rendcombe school from parents of (very bright/academic) boys who had to look for co-ed/boys senior schools as couldn't (for obvs reasons!) continue into the single sex Westonbirt Senior.

[Flum]

I have a friend with kids there, both academic. She loves it, they love it too.

[cotsdweller]

I have had children at Rendcomb for 12 years as, as you might imagine, I would certainly recommend and I would do so regardless of your child's strengths or weaknesses. It is a wonderful, nurturing environment - a safe harbour for them to grow, in what can be a harsh world for kids today.
If you visit you couldn't fail to be blown away by its setting - the new performing arts centre is outstanding. But the children's faces tell you more than any brochure. They are happy and they care about each other; and the children know each other across the school - juniors and seniors too.
I know lots of 'academic' children who are thriving at Rendcomb, and they smile too! I have seen lots of children achieving A* over the years and going on to excellent universities and in the lower school there are pupils who gain grammar places every year. With the possible exception of a child genius, all children will have to work hard if they want good results and I do know from experience that the top performing schools can be relentlessly demanding. So the ability to cope with that level of pressure should be as big a consideration as anything else.
At Rendcomb, all of the (excellent) staff and Head know my children well and I know that if they have a problem or they are finding things a struggle then the help that they get will be the right help for them. I can't ask for more than that.

[swanjo]

Hi Orchid33 - this is quite a disturbing post, and at odds with many of the earlier (albeit not 2019) posts. Can I ask are you a parent at the school, and was this your own experience or someone else's?

[Latinenergy123]

Orchid 33, you have written an extremely offensive thread: It is factually incorrect and damaging. As mother of two children who are extremely happy (in addition to being pretty academic at Rendcomb College), I would like to explore your comments further and prevent you from damaging my children's lovely school.

51% of Y11 pupils scored A*-A in the summer GCSEs. This was higher than many selective schools in the area, including prestigious independent schools. The only difference is that Rendcomb is an inclusive, all ability school, which caters for the individual.
Nationally the school won awards for Computer Science and it continues to go from strength to strength with performances such as Les Miserable, Animal Farm and The Crucible. I have found it to be a nurturing school, where pupils have turned down places to Pates Grammar and various other grammar schools, because they know that they will be supported with an all-round education.
Teachers did indeed leave. They retired as they had reached the grand old age of 60. One staff member has returned to the Maths Department! Can't be that bad!
As for league tables, you are quite wrong. The pupils who are not entered for exams are those who have been in the country for less than a year and are at Rendcomb to study English. As a state school teacher, league tables are always tweaked, so please never rely on them. They are a guide.

All A level results dipped nationally last year, partly due to the dropping of AS examinations in Y12. A levels have become more difficult. As for first choice universities, the school encourages pupils to put down an aspirational university choice. I guess this sometimes means that a second choice is accepted.
The new Head isn't that new! He has been there four years! I have only had positive encounters with him wanting the best for every individual. I know that he has regularly had lunch with my children, who come home to tell me all about their chats! Not many Heads do that!
Oh and I should say, have a look at the qualifications of staff there. The percentage of Masters level graduates (MEd and above) is higher than pretty well all nearby independent schools! I'd rather my children be taught by people who clearly know their stuff!
Orchid 33 , you have obviously had a bad experience. So sorry to hear that. I am sorry that your child has not had the experience that my children have had. Rendcomb continues to be brilliant in my opinion. Please keep your comments to yourself, as it upsets parents like me and certainly does not reflect the view of the majority in my opinion.

[chelt7]

Latinenergy123 thank you for saying what a lot of us are feeling. My two children love it and I'm more than happy that they are supported when needed but also challenged and stretched to make the most of themselves whatever their ability might be. I don't think for a minute that my children are perfect all the time, but I know they will come out of Rendcomb as better people because of all the experiences and opportunities they have had. Not all children can be superstars and in my opinion Rendcomb is brilliant at looking after the A* students as well as those who might find exams a bit harder, and doing it all without fuss. swanjo you should come and have a look for yourself!