Portland Place School

[steinermum]

Does anyone have opinions about Portland Place School or other co-ed independents accessible from Islington or City of London and offering 13+ entry. All info. will be gratefully and voraciously received ..

[frogs]

Portland place has a reputation for taking kids who fluffed the 11+/13+ entry to the more academic schools.

Alternatively, depending on your viewpoint, it is a gentler, more humane alternative to the pushy North/Central London academic hothouses.

North Bridge House have an 11+ entry to their Senior School, which is also a route mainly taken by people who don't like the full-on academic vibe.

Horses for courses, really.

[steinermum]

Thanks, that's really helpful

[Jimjams2]

i used to work for a school in the same group as Portland Place. I know of (rather than personally) the head- and understand that he's a decent sort.

[steinermum]

I met him on a school tour, he seemed nice. He used to work at City of London School for Girls and said it was a very 'particular' environment
i.e. single sex, top % of brainboxes - I got the impression he was still slightly traumatised by the experience!!

[summertimes]

I have a boy at Portland Place.
It's now getting a lot more difficult to get into.
It's a lovely nurturing school with small class sizes - but it's also dynamic and forward thinking. I think it's one of London's best kept secrets.

[BizzyBuzz]

A while back I saw some Portland Place students out and about collecting data for a class. They seemed really happy and engaged. In the past, Portland Place had the reputation of not being selective. However, I know from speaking with friends that this is definitely changing.

[pimlicomummy]

Really curious about your experience at Portland Place, summertimes. My son and I went for an Open Day and I thought it was a good place for children who aren't quite ready for a full on secondary school yet. Do you have any more detail that you could share, summertimes? My son would be going in Year 6 or 7.

[Sockboy1]

I really liked the feel of the school. I have a clever child who does not handle stress well. Has anyone had a positive experience from the school. The head seems lovely

[Twisties]

I am a parent at the school - it is not a school for bright children, certainly not in the younger years (6-8). There is even a key teacher who refuses to stretch the children, almost working against bright students. Even after taking this to the Head, minimal, and only short term, action was taken. Strange and deeply disappointing.

Most subjects from Year 7 are of a good standard - but not highly academic - with some good, great and lovely teachers. Art is first class, language teachers are fun and engaging, English and drama is good, science excellent, music is weak unfortunately (especially with the loss of the year 13s this year - they carried the Christmas concert).

Maths is shockingly bad. Shockingly bad. Made even worse for us by the Head of Maths who appeared enthusiastic and highly engaging on open day but in reality is far, far from that. Awful, to be quite frank. Essentially a couple of bullies in the maths dept and a sweet guy who cannot control, and therefore adequately teach his class (there is a fourth teacher but I have not dealt with him).

It appears with the closing of the sixth form, more students will leave at 13+ to secure longer term options (some already advised). Some very good teachers, without their A level students, have chosen to leave too. The most recent at the end of summer term 2019.

The SEND department is fantastic. Pastoral care, not so much, although the Head of Pastoral is lovely. I don't understand the disconnect there.