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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Alleyns or Emanuel

51 replies

Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 21:32

Hi,

We have to make the choice between these two for DS. We live right next to Emanuel, however DS is quite bright (waiting list for KCS with no tutoring).

I have been to both schools and liked them both very much. I would say Emanuel was a winner in terms of facilities and grounds. But the spread of ability is worrying and DS is ambitious enough to want to be in the top 10%. If he can do that with a B however, he would...I feel that Alleyns will challenge him more and hence give him a better education. Yet the commute is not one to ignore...on the plus side, I know of at least 3 of his state primary friends going to Alleyns so he might not be travelling alone.

I am going round and round in circles and driving myself crazy. Any help appreciated...

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drummersmum · 03/03/2016 21:49

You live right next to Emanuel? It's a no brainer!

Redlemons · 03/03/2016 21:50

Why do you think Emanuel wouldn't stretch him? There are plenty of bright kids there, if he is in the top sets then he is bound to be stretched. Getting on to the KCS waiting list is great but I don't think necessarily puts him in a different league to the top 10% at Emanuel! I would certainly opt for the closer school with the better facilities in this particular situation.

Noitsnotteatimeyet · 03/03/2016 21:58

Emanuel is not in the same league academically as Alleyn's and I'm surprised anyone would think the facilities are better - Alleyn's pool is brand new and a decent size, there's a new science block and the theatre is outstanding

Unless your ds has got one of the 50% or 75% scholarships at Emanuel my personal feeling would be that it's a no-brainer to go for Alleyn's- there are loads of buses from Clapham and Wandsworth and it's a pretty easy journey

drummersmum · 03/03/2016 22:02

Unless your ds has got one of the 50% or 75% scholarships at Emanuel my personal feeling would be that it's a no-brainer to go for Alleyn's

I'd say just the opposite. If he's not a scholar, it means he's not by any means the most able academically and I cannot see how Emanuel would be an easy ride for him.

AnotherNewt · 03/03/2016 22:14

What are your DS's particular strengths and interests?

If you live close to Emanuel, you also live close to the direct public bus to Alleyn's or could put him on the coach service. It adds about 40 minutes each way, but is an easy journey.

Also, football or rugby?

Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:15

The pool at alleyns is newer but size wise didn't see a big difference. We went to see emanuel today and the outside eating space with the view of the cricket pitch impressed me more than the new pool (somehow I see my child using that daily as where the pool is not very likely)

I agree that there will be plenty of bright kids in the top set, but I think that as long as he feels he is better than the average, he doesn't need to bother... And I have a feeling that the average at alleyns is 'brighter'

Yet the 3 min walk vs the 40 min journey is a problem.

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Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:17

Neither really AnotherNewt...

Says he wants to try netball, but I would not put him in the sporty category...

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AnotherNewt · 03/03/2016 22:22

Rugby is compulsory for boys at Emanuel. It's not played at all at Alleyn's. Don't think boys play netball at either!

You don't have to be particularly sporty to thrive at either (for example, both are strong in drama, though I agree with pp that Alleyn's has the better theatre).

Emanuel has building work going on at the moment, so various bits will be in new shiny version soon.

Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:25

In terms of interests he has a math scholarship and just got offered Ashcroft on a specialist place (technology aptitude test which he scored third highest). Pretty much a screen addict the rest of the time

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Noitsnotteatimeyet · 03/03/2016 22:29

The pool at Emanuel is only 20m not 25 and there's nowhere for spectators to sit but if he's not a swimmer then that's not going to bother him or you much ...

However the times I've been to see Emanuel I've been distinctly underwhelmed- it's often described as the most expensive comp in south London and to a large extent that's true

Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:29

No music, no art, no drama interests what so ever

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AnotherNewt · 03/03/2016 22:30

I've just had a look at the exam results pages for the two schools, and it seems that Alleyn's offers both Maths and Further Maths, Emanuel only Maths.

Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:34

I buy Emanuel's 'we create a more rounded' person claim. They really do seem to take their pupils hapiness seriously. I have friends at both schools and they are both very happy.

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Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:36

I did a comparison of GCSE results and I was shocked to see how wide the gap between the two is...

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Nikita76 · 03/03/2016 22:37

in terms of academics alleyns win without even trying

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Noitsnotteatimeyet · 03/03/2016 22:44

Well that will be because it's much, much more academically selective so the range of ability is much narrower so lessons can go at a faster pace and cover more ground

At my dc's primary the children going to Emanuel were all in the bottom half of the cohort bar one exceptionally bright child whose sibling was already there

All schools will talk about happiness and well-rounded pupils - there are plenty of happy pupils at both schools (and no doubt some unhappy ones too)

Luna9 · 03/03/2016 23:34

What does your son prefer? Where are the majority of his friends going.

Being walking distance is great for activities, friendships and any event you have to attend.

Do you have other children to consider? Can you visit both schools again ?

Abetes · 04/03/2016 09:16

I'd go for the 5 minute walk. Alleyn's put a huge amount of stress on taking part in extra-curricular activities (sport, music, drama) and, if he isn't interested in these, I would say that the journey isn't worth it. Emanuel will definitely stretch him. Whilst they have a much broader range of abilities which explains their results v Alleyns, the top kids get good results and they send some to Oxbridge.

MissGintyMarlow · 04/03/2016 10:02

go for the 3-min walk, Emanuel is getting more selective every year, it will do very well by your son.

AveEldon · 04/03/2016 10:36

Not seen Alleyns but Emanuel is very shabby
Basic maintenance and cleaning seem very low on their list of priorities

jeanne16 · 04/03/2016 12:14

Emanuel do have a Further Maths class.

Nikita76 · 04/03/2016 17:02

I actually feel bad for Emanuel, as I guess so many are doing the same as me. I like the school, but choose elsewhere, because of academics. And how are they supposed to get good results if all the academic kids go somewhere else...

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MissGintyMarlow · 04/03/2016 17:20

I wouldn't feel bad, they are doing quite nicely. I personally think you should have stuck with them, but obviously your shout.

jeanne16 · 04/03/2016 17:42

My DC is at Emanuel. He and all his friends got mainly all A*s for GCSE so feel free to feel sorry for them Nikita!

TweenageAngst · 04/03/2016 17:52

Don't feel sorry for the Emanuel kids. They love their school, it is getting better academically and the pastoral care is excellent.
The list for 2017 entry is already closed.
I have another DC at a school which is generally rated much more highly than Emanuel (didn't get in to Emanuel) I would rather they were all at Emanuel

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