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Original poster

Kingsdale v's Dunraven

115 replies

Iamaworrywart · 17/02/2011 23:00

Hi All,

If you had to choose between Kingsdale and Dunraven as a secondary school for your child which would you choose? They are my first and second choice state school preferences, but now I'm not sure which one I'm really hoping to get Confused.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iamaworrywart · 21/02/2011 22:21

SpringHeeledJack - How would you describe your DS is he academic, sporty? What does he like best about the school? How have you found the teachers etc are they approachable?

OP posts:
SpringHeeledJack · 21/02/2011 21:54

My ds is at Kingsdale (Y9) and he's very happy there. When we put it as first choice, people thought we were bonkers, but am very pleased with how things have turned out so far

as for Dunraven- I see a few Y10s and 11s out and about regularly, and they are so fab I am even pondering trying to get my DDs there in a few years' time

reckon you can't lose either way Smile

Original poster
Iamaworrywart · 19/02/2011 11:59

No, he is at a small independent prep school at the moment and none of the others in his year are considering Kingsdale. Mainly due to where they live I think.

Anyway I will keep my fingers crossed that he is offered a place on the 1st March.

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 19/02/2011 09:10

Fingers crossed for you - let me know how you get on!

Are others from his school trying for Kingsdale too?

Original poster
Iamaworrywart · 18/02/2011 22:40

I'm looking for a place this March. Kingsdale is our first choice state school but I know it's becoming increasingly popular and the lottery system means we have no way of knowing what our chances are of getting a place. I feel better knowing that there was movement after 1st March. DS has also been offered a place at a small independent school in Battersea but we have to give them our decision and pay a deposit by 4th March. So if DS doesn't get a place on 1st March, i'm not sure what we'll do!

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 18/02/2011 21:54

The children have been put into 5 different ability bands this year, 2 forms of about 30 per ability band I think. These 2 forms are then divided up into teaching groups of about 20 for most subjects. There seem to be dyslexic children in different bands, though I don't know how well their needs are met as I have no direct experience of this.

The school is very approachable. There is a regular Parents Forum (attended by senior staff) where issues can be raised openly and obviously parents can speak with teachers whenever. They take concerns seriously and try to ensure that parents are happy with the outcome.

The pastoral care seems good from what I have heard, and DD is definitely very happy.

Are you hoping for a place in March, or looking for the future?

Original poster
Iamaworrywart · 18/02/2011 21:45

Miso and bigTillyMint,

My son as mild dyslexia and so pastoral care is an important consideration. Are all the staff at the school as approachable as they seemed at the Open Sessions? Also are the class sizes as small (maximum 20) as they claim?

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 18/02/2011 21:04

DD is in Y7 at Kingsdale too. She seems to have friends that come from Streatham, so the journey must be OK.

She loves it.

BTW, she got a sports scholarship and a place on March 1st last year, but I would agree with miso that loads of kids seemed to get places after that.

miso · 18/02/2011 20:58

She was on the waiting list till June.
There seems to be a LOT of shuffling round after 1st March... it's really worth hanging in on the waiting list of your favourite school (whichever it is).

Original poster
Iamaworrywart · 18/02/2011 18:55

Hi Miso

Did your DD get offered a place at Kingsdale on 1st March last year or were you on the waiting list initially?

OP posts:
miso · 18/02/2011 16:11

I'm very happy with Kingsdale (dd in Y7), but don't know enough about Dunraven to make a comparison Smile

Lots of Kingsdale kids come from quite far afield (Deptford, Lewisham, Catford as well as closer places) so your son wouldn't be unusual in having a journey to school. And also wouldn't be unusual if he was the only child from his primary school, if this is important to you.

Original poster
Iamaworrywart · 18/02/2011 14:30

Hi,

Thanks for the responses so far. We have visited both schools and Kingsdale appeared to have a calmer feel to it especially in the classrooms which we liked.

We live in Streatham so journey to Kingsdale wouldn't be too bad. But with their lottery system of entry we can only keep our fingers crossed. We live less than 1/2 a mile from Dunraven so have a good chance of being offered a place but I'm just not sure if it is the right school for my son. I have a friend who works at Dunraven who says that some of the children can be very abrupt even with adults let alone with each other. That said maybe Kingsdale wouldn't be much different!

OP posts:
friendlyedjit · 18/02/2011 10:06

kingsdale have a 15% scholarship entry and the remainder is a lottery... althought obtaining a scholarship doesn't guarantee a place even if first choice it seems..which makes it all seem very complicated.
I think one of the most important things is being hppy with all choices on list and being able to avoid appearing disappointed with option sent in JUST OVER A WEEK...I AM NOT STRESSED..IT IS JUST EXCITEMENT!!!!

gingeroots · 18/02/2011 09:23

Kingsdale allocate by banding and lottery don't they?
So guess that's an element of uncertainty that might not apply to Dunraven ?
( not familiar with Dunraven's admission procedures ).
Also - how easy would travelling be to Kingsdale ?

boohoohoo · 18/02/2011 09:04

Hi Iama, my SS goes to Kingsdale, just to say he is really happy there, I know they are really good for sport and music. Both his parents have been really pleased with the school in the whole and the communication between parents and the school, his friends seem really nice (he is 13). He will be doing both his math and PE GCSEs early (next year). Looked at Dunraven for my daughter but that was six years ago and for us felt it was too rigid, however many many parents really liked it and Im obviously not up to date with what it is like now! Have you looked at both and had a gut instinct?.

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