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Education

Emanuel School, London - does anyone know it?

67 replies

mwamwa · 28/09/2007 14:25

Have just been to an Open Day at Emanuel School in Clapham. Overall impression amongst the crowds was quite good and I just wondered whether anyone has any positive or negative thoughts about the place.?

OP posts:

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mimsum · 28/09/2007 15:01

I wasn't very impressed last year tbh - I don't think you're getting anything more than a good comprehensive would offer and I was distinctly underwhelmed by the head teacher.

It's much less academically selective than many of the other schools nearby and the standards are correspondingly lower (getting higher, but still not the same) and I didn't think it was so outstanding in other respects that it would make up for it

bluejelly · 28/09/2007 15:04

I know lots of people who were expelled from there. But that was a few years back

SmartArse · 28/09/2007 15:10

I know several families there. They are all happy with it, bar one who left after a term. I did ask why and was told "it just didn't suit her" Not sure what they meant by that!

I looked at it 2 years ago for DD1. I'd agree that it's standards aren't particularly high and one friend of mine did ask why you would pay all that money for somewhere is distinctly average. I would, however, consider it for DD2 who isn't, in my opinion, very academic and who I think might benefit from being in a co-ed environment with decent sports facilities.

DD1 sat the exam, found it relatively easy and was awarded the highest scholarship (which I thought was rather special but it would seem that huge numbers are offered scholarships there!) but we still decided that it wasn't the right place for her.

Am I right in thinking they've had several changes of head in the last few years? I often travel back on the train from Clapham Junction with a group of boys from Emanuel and their behaviour is a little underwhelming - but perhaps they're all the same, regardless of which school they go to!

mwamwa · 28/09/2007 16:17

Art, music and drama seem strong. Head has only been there 3 years and seemed to have the measure of the place but like mimsum I wasn't wowed by him. Apparently Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily goes there....whether or not that is a recommendation!

OP posts:

SmartArse · 28/09/2007 16:20

Funnily enough, I think there are quite a lot of meedja types there ... certainly 2 of the families I know work in TV and radio. Actually, one of the others is a journo IIRC.

Not sure about that recommendation, though! Poor child, being lumbered with that name.

Caroline1852 · 02/10/2007 14:58

Smartarse - "I know several families there. They are all happy with it, bar one who left after a term. I did ask why and was told "it just didn't suit her" Not sure what they meant by that!"
Er, it's a boys' school. A crap one at that.

SeveredHeadSmartArse · 02/10/2007 15:00

No, they have girls, too.

But I'd agree with the "pretty crappy" judgement!

janinlondon · 02/10/2007 15:09

I'll probably be flamed for this, but its known locally as "the most expensive comprehensive in South London". Didn't say I susbscribed to the sentiment - just passing it on!

SeveredHeadSmartArse · 02/10/2007 15:11

Oh God, maybe I need to think of something else for DD2 ...! Any suggestions?!

chatchat · 02/10/2007 16:49

My son goes to Emanuel and I'm v happy with it. Lots of children go there cos they don't get into other schools - either they're not academic enough or don't do well under pressure. Some parents choose it cos it's a school local to them. It's really nice having girls in the class. Drama, sports, art and music are good. A bit obsessive about rugby for boys. Perhaps expectations of children a bit low. You do have to work at the academic subjects but the rest is valued too. Pastoral care v good so is communication with parents. So maybe that does make it ' the most expensive comp in south London.'! If so, that's fine by me as there are no other comps like it available to me!

Caroline1852 · 02/10/2007 23:45

DO you not live anywhere near Wilsons or Sutton Grammar? Where do you live approximately?

SmartArseCoveredinCobwebs · 03/10/2007 12:03

Wilsons and Sutton are miles away from Emanuel.

Chatchat, I'm really glad you're pleased with it. Certainly the other families (4) I know who have children there are happy with it too and their children are all nice kids.

TBH, I don't reallu buy into the whole "why pay all that money if it isn't all that good" thing. Academia isn't everything. My aim is for my children to be kind, thoughtful and happy and if that's the sort of children it turns out then that's fine by me.

Caroline1852 · 03/10/2007 12:36

If you have a bright child then a suitable school will probably (amongst other things) be one that gets your child decent exam results (as a by product of a well rounded education that will last your child for the rest of her life). It is still the main criteria for selecting a school, whether you are paying or not.

westendgirl · 03/10/2007 13:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SmartArseCoveredinCobwebs · 04/10/2007 10:50

Caroline, TBH it's not top of our list and I'd rather rather she joined her sister at her rather academic school, but I'm not sure she'd get in at the moment!

Thanks, Westend - yes, DD1 tried for Lady Margaret's, which I thought was wonderful, but she didn't get in, so I doubt it's worth trying for DD2.

Caroline1852 · 04/10/2007 11:56

Assume then that C&S girls' school is already under consideration. I know a few people who have been to Emanuel and have left before they were due to, disgusted from SW11 , and I also know someone who is currently there and the parents are not at all pleased with it and desperatetly struggling to find an alternative (which is not easy apparently).

mwamwa · 05/10/2007 11:37

Yes if anyone comes up with an alternative to Emanuel I would be interested to hear...for my DS.

OP posts:

enthusiast · 20/02/2009 14:23

Emanuel's head says that A level results reflect who entered school 7 years ago and that under his reign entry standards are going up so A level results will go up. Is he right or is this a rationisation for lower results than other schools? Personaly I am not sure it matters much any way. Sure ly what matters is will school stretch bright children? Will less bright children also be stretched without being overwhelmed. Another contributor said that Emanuel "is the most expensive comp in s london". To be frank I rather want a comp type intake but with good facilities and pleasant children.

JazT · 20/02/2009 16:23

Have you had an offer today as well then enthusiast?! DD has been offered a scholarship-but like you, I'm wondering whether they can stretch/accommodate really bright kids. I read what the Head said about current results reflecting the old intake, and it makes perfect sense, but I want to know what the intake's really like now. Like you, I like the idea of a comp-type school, and that it's mixed, and that it's very, very close to where we live. But I also need a school that's going to suit her academically.
Anyone got any views? DD has also had 3 offers from the more 'traditional' academic schools

mimsum · 20/02/2009 22:51

tbh I'm not sure the intake has changed that dramatically as locally the kids who go to Emanuel are the ones whose parents don't think they'll get into the more academic independents/Sutton grammars/Tiffin - among parents round here it's definitely viewed as second-tier academically

Qally · 22/02/2009 05:00

My cousin was sent there because he had no chance of Alleyns, where both his brothers went. Was horribly bullied, and his SN undiagnosed until (state) 6th form.

fifietta · 22/02/2009 11:22

My daughter too has been offered a scholarship and is so delighted that she's desperate to go there, wear the gown etc.
But our choice is between this and a state comprehensive school (have yet to hear) and I do feel that she is as likely to get decent results and to be with others of a good intellectual calibre in the top stream of a comprehensive as she is at Emanuel. There's an air of complacency about the head. He talks of better results as brighter children enter the school, but not of what the school itself is doing to raise standards.

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fridayschild · 22/02/2009 21:45

My friend sends her daughter there and is very happy with it. I think the child is well adjusted and happy, from the times I've met her. I wouldn't say my friend is overly hung-up on exam results - as others have said, there is more to education than that.

esr1407 · 01/06/2012 21:52

Please do not be so ridiculous! Emanuel School is a wonderful school, I have my two children there and I have been very impressed, this school has a homely and pleasant atmosphere and lacks the bitching that crowds schools like JAGS and St Paul's Girls' School. How many state schools have you visited with a boat house 2 minutes from Barnes Bridge? How many schools have an indoor pool and a climbing wall? Certainly not a state school! What the school lacks in academic matters it makes up for in atmosphere and support yet the academic standard is far from low each child is expected to complete challenging homework and take part in a wide range of clubs and societies from Greek Club to the Senior Politics Society.

QueenEdith · 01/06/2012 21:59

I didn't know anyone who had Emmanuel as their first choice, but did know a few families whose DCs went there (some still there) and they have all been very happy with it. It's slightly boy heavy (probably because there are several GDST schools in the area) and the academic record is not as strong as other nearby private schools. The facilities are typical of London private schools.

This is an old thread, added to periodically, so OP would have made her choice some time ago!

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