Ealing - Elthorne Park High school vs. Ellen Wilkinson

[MothershipG]

My DD is in y5 so come September we will have a choice between these 2 high schools.

Obviously we will attend all the open evenings etc. but I wondered if anyone has any current(ish) experience or opinions?

[fyfe65]

I have children at EPHS both are very happy there, they have lovely friends, can walk to school and are achieving high grades. There's is a new head starting in September but I can't see this changing things overnight! Have never regretted sending my children there. Having said that I am sure Ellen Wilkinson is also good!

[Lulabellarama]

I know the new head starting at EW, he's lovely!
EPHS has been improving year on year, it's a great school. Ellen Wilkinson I have no current experience of, but when I was at high school (Acton High, don't even think about it) it was a very bitchy, cliquey environment. But that was 15 years ago!

[MothershipG]

Thanks for your responses.

If she goes to EPHS she'll be able to walk but EW will be a bus or tube journey so I'm trying to get a feel for if it will be worth the extra hassle. I've heard mixed reports, including that it can be bitchy and that there is bullying. I didn't know that they were getting a new head as well.

On the other hand DD is bright but lazy and I've heard that EPHS doesn't really push them and I worry that she'll coast. No work ethic that child - no idea where she gets that!

[Lulabellarama]

Sorry, I meant the new head at EPHS. Got a bit giddy!

[mumofjust1]

I went to EW - personally, I wouldn't even consider it as a possibility for my daughter.

Are there no other high schools in the borough that you would consider?

[Lulabellarama]

Drayton is fab and very big on pushing kids. Though I wouldn't look further than EPHS, it would be where DS1 was going if we weren't moving next week, it's pretty much at the end of our road!

[MothershipG]

mumof Ha ha ha ha ha! That's my insane laugh - consider other schools you say??? Well I could consider them all I like but the only other school she would get in would be Acton, and although it has greatly improved, I think EPHS is better and where most of her friends will be going.

Could I ask for more info on your experience of EW? Might it have changed?

Lula I'd have to move into the house you are leaving to have a shot at Drayton, the area they pull from is very small, and we don't do god so she's got no hope of Twyford.

Her choices are EPHS, EW & Acton.

[minesawine]

I went to EW and found it very bitchy, although the education was good. There was a lot of fighting with Acton. My niece went to EPHS and really liked it there but came out with no qualifications. I have chosen Cardinal Wiseman for my DS, I think it is the best in the Borough.

[tethersend]

I work with EPHS and can't praise them highly enough- fantastic support of students, and strong senior management.

[MothershipG]

minesawine Do you mind if I ask how long ago you were at EW? CW not an option for us as my DC are not RC.

thethers Good to hear! Do you have a feel for what the new head is like?

Interesting that no one is suggesting EW...

[tethersend]

Wish I could mothership, but am currently on ML, so out of the loop at the moment. I will ask colleagues.

[minesawine]

I went about 20 years ago. But I do know of a girl who was excluded from CW and was moved to EW and had a really hard time there with the other girls being bitchy and rshe eally missed interacting with boys. This happened last year.

[MothershipG]

Thanks tethers, may I ask what you do at EPHS, feel free not to say if it will out you!

[mumofjust1]

Hi Mothership.

When I was at EW, it was as others have said, very bitchy, very cliquey and had a problem with drugs.
I don't know anyone who would send their daughter there to be honest. Having said that, I don't have any recent experience so it could be different now.

Cardinal wiseman do not deal with problems very well and I have known them to turn a blind eye to bullying.

Brentside is much improved. The head is brilliant and I'm a firm believer that a school is only as good as it's HT.

Twyford is amazing.

Can I ask where in the borough you live?

[MothershipG]

We're in Northfields, and we don't do god, so not an icicle in hells chance of Twyford or CW (don't get me started on the unfairness of that!) and way too far from Drayton to get in there.

As far as I know EPHS is generally considered better than Brentford?

Her only choices are EPHS, EW or Acton, she really has no chance of any other decent school.

[mumofjust1]

Brentside should be a possibility if you're interested in it? Maybe go along to the open evening anyway?

[MothershipG]

I'll consider Brentside but it would have to be something special, not just improved, to make it worthwhile her having the extra traveling as EPHS is our closest high school.

[mumofjust1]

As I said, it might be worth going along just for a look. Its another option for your dd I guess.

I know a few kids that go there in varying years and they all love it.

The pastoral care is on par with Twyford.

[MothershipG]

Thanks mumof I hope I didn't come across as dismissive and I certainly will go for a look but I've not heard anything about it that suggests it would be a better choice than Elthorne. And if I'm really honest I'm a little suspicious of the fact that it offers places over 4 miles...

[bionicmother]

My son was at CW, never ever again! It is true that CW turns blind eye to bullying. Right now, I have accused CW of falsifying documents relating to SEN statement. LEA do nothing!

[Glup]

I've been impressed by both at various times......but if it was my child I'd go for Elthorne. I work in another local comp and we've sent various kids off to EW for the sixth form over the years. Almost all of them have come back. This was nothing to do with the teaching, but simply the all-girls, bitchy environment.

I'm not sure that's anything EW can do something about. I think it's just girls!

[Eastpoint]

Is there any point looking into West London Free School? I have a DD who is in year 7 & all the girls we know who applied got places. I know someone with a son in y8 who is v happy. Also Hammersmith Academy which is supported by the Mercers company who also support St Paul's School & SPGS.

My children have done holiday camps at Ellen Wilkinson & they have great resources & have completed building work in last few years, plus fields on site.

[narta2712]

Hi everyone, I really need d help with recommendation. My daughter has got a place in EW high school if someone can let me know please is it nice school? I would be so grateful for any opinions! Thank you!