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Secondary education

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London Oratory School

29 replies

duckduck · 20/09/2011 00:21

Yikes..... anyone got an opinion or feeling about this school. DS1 has started and this is hardcore... can anyone else give me an impression of how it goes?

OP posts:
deadbeatdad · 22/09/2011 16:51

swanriver - interesting comment. That is my sense too of Oratory - strong discipline but with high levels of pastoral care.

swanriver · 22/09/2011 10:13

Duckduck I'm wondering whether we get too worried about what's expected of us, and great thing is to let them take responsibility for their own work. My son's at a Catholic secondary and I've been overwhelmed by getting him to do homework, partly because we have both been so worried about getting it wrong, not doing it to high enough standard, but funnily enough I think I just need to let go and let my ds1 sort himself out, now that first weeks are over. I think schools need to explain to pupils what expected of them, rather than us tryign to do impossible task of interpreting it all.

swanriver · 22/09/2011 10:09

I know 3 Yr 7 there. They are all loving it, homework seems do-able, they seem to be completely self motivated (spurred by fear?). It all seems quite straightforward what is expected of them, and lots of extra-curricular activities encouaged too. Strange because I had heard it was really frightening and strict, yet these particular boys, ranging from shy to exuberant to naughty to goody two shoes, ALL seem to be enjoying it, and know where they stand. Most of all they don't seem overwhelmed by it, just included.
Cardinal Vaughan on other hand seems to be reducing mothers and sons to tears...Hmm

deadbeatdad · 21/09/2011 11:57

what's the issue - hardcore Catholic or hard core academic