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Original poster

Newstead Wood School, Bromley

56 replies

JuliesMum · 21/04/2012 07:08

My daughter is in Year 4 and we're beginning to think about some possible secondary options to visit during Year 5. We live in Bromley. I am a teacher, although I teach in Croydon so I know more about Croydon schools than Bromley ones.

We're hopefully in the catchment area for Langley Park which I've heard very positive things about. I think dd would get on very well there. She's fairly easy going and enthusiastic about things but knows her mind at the same time. However she is doing well in her class and has good levels so I'm wondering about the grammar school, Newstead Wood. I'd be interested to hear thoughts on this school because I've heard mixed reports on it, particularly about pastoral care and behaviour management. Reading between the lines in the last 2 Ofsteds I'm wondering if some parents aren't always as happy as the inspectors seem to be. Does anyone have any views?

OP posts:
maddiemostmerry · 22/04/2012 19:55

I haven't heard about specific subject teaching being poor, although I have heard of some poor teaching generally.

From what I hear it's the kind of school where if your face fits you fine.

Have heard of bitching, mostly wealth related. Sixth form girls very competitive about clothing.

Pastoral care, poor.

Sorry that sounds so grim. I'm sure there are some girls there that love it, I just don't know them.

Mumeuro, have heard good things about Tonbridge Girls. Don't know much about Dartford. Have known girls at Bromley High and they seem to have been happy there.

mumeuro · 22/04/2012 19:28

@maddiemm - can I ask if you know why most girls you know who attended Newstead were not happy? Were there reasons other than bullying and poor pastoral care? I have heard criticisms from a very experienced local GCSE and A'Level tutor regarding the quality of maths and chemistry teaching, and the same person advised against the school in favour of Dartford Grammar or Bromley High. DD has been getting very good NEFR VR and NVR scores and we live within the catchment area, but I'd rather cross Newstead off our list if there are serious, generalised issues.

Original poster
JuliesMum · 21/04/2012 19:31

Good to hear more positive things about Langley, particularly about the G&T provision. We live in the other direction (Park Langley) and the local dc in our road and around us tend to go to Langley girls or boys. To be honest I think I like the idea of a good comp with strong differentiation above a superselective grammar.

But if anyone knows any more about Newstead it would be good to hear. It's still very early days!

OP posts:
AngelEyes46 · 21/04/2012 18:47

I live in Croydon and the reports that I've heard about Langley Girls is all really positive. A friend's (who lives very closely to Orchard Way) DD attends Langley Girls and is on the gifted and talented register and she says that the school is fantastic in supporting this. She's currently in year 8 and apparently this was the furthest that the catchment has stretched. But, she also has a DS who wanted Langley Boys this year, i.e. he is currently in year 6. They put Langley boys 1st choice and Shirley High 2nd - they got Shirley. However, they are 2nd on the waiting list so I think they have a very good chance in getting in to their 1st. Are you closer than she is? Don't know anything about the grammar school mentioned.

Original poster
JuliesMum · 21/04/2012 18:31

Thanks - that's interesting. I've heard stories about favouritism (or the opposite of favouritism!) too. A friend's dd goes there and from what I can tell her class seems to have been labelled the 'naughty class' because of low level disruption from some students that was left unchallenged for too long.

Haven't heard anything about bullying specifically. I guess that can happen anywhere but was it not handled well?

OP posts:
maddiemostmerry · 21/04/2012 13:17

I know many girks that have been there and very few that like it. Sorry.

Favouritsm and bullying seem to be the most common complaints.

The girls I know at Langley seem happy although some transfer to the boys for sixth form. Have heard good things about new langley girls head.

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