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Original poster

Secondary school in Surrey with excellent pastoral care

31 replies

Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 18:40

Hi, I'm looking for a secondary school in Surrey that is active in delivering excellent pastoral care. They all talk about it but I'm interested in who is good from a first hand experience.
any suggestions?
Thx in advance

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heartknot · 19/05/2015 12:44

Have you considered Reigate Grammar? academics and sports both excellent. I think it probably has a reputation as being a bit of a hothouse but we moved DD there recently after a disastrous yr 7 start elsewhere and the pastoral care has been amazing. DD had personal issues with home life and also problems with previous school and RGS have been wonderful at supporting her with both. Several other parents I have spoken with have found similar experiences. They do have a work hard play hard attitude but all the kids I have met there seem so engaged and happy.

mummytime · 19/05/2015 06:28

My DD has this and is at a large State Comp. They do pretty well with her and she's going to come out with reasonable results (that is code for pretty good probably). However I have wondered if she would have done better in a private selective girls school, with less noise to distract her.
But I don't think that a school like either of the two probables, really has an excuse not to help him with his issues - as large State schools focus on the individual all the time (and by large I mean the ones about 2000).
Has the school done any testing of why he lacks focus? Does he have a diagnosis? Is it much worse than normal 11+ boy heedlessness?

MakeItACider · 18/05/2015 23:29

I would recommend this watch to you.

It's VERY good at giving children a visual time function so they can see their allowed time for tasks reducing.

Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 23:11

Sorry. Bad typos! grrrr

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Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 23:01

Merlot - I had heard about RR also.
DS is bright and sporty but needs more patience/nurturing from school on his lack of focus ( his mind drifts). They understand why he struggles to focus but as its such a big school, the staff get quickyl swept up with day to day life and forget. DH and I are trying to decide whether its him or him and the school so we need to explore other schools for comparison.... problem is making sure we get the balanace between academia and an emotionally support ( this happy and thriving) child

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merlottime · 18/05/2015 22:41

Assuming your DS is at one of the top two in Croydon, might be worth looking at Royal Russell? Co-ed, good house system with single sex common rooms. Less high profile than the other two, but great results last year.

MakeItACider · 18/05/2015 22:35

What is the head like at your school? Because ours is very, very good at helping parents choose a school that suits their child.

Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 22:13

Makeit - hes in yr 7 at a croydon private ( not putting it actual school name here as thread is public).

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Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 22:12

I like the look at St JOhns Hairy and am yet to visit so we're going to arrange a visit. DS in in yr 7 so St Johns would be a yr 9 entry and I fear over 15 months is quite a long time to wait to help him.

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optimistmum · 18/05/2015 22:08

Random - I think it is Claremont Fancourt

MakeItACider · 18/05/2015 22:05

Where are you now, OP?

What years are you looking for? Yr 7 or Yr 9?

RandomMess · 18/05/2015 22:04

Fancourt?

RandomMess · 18/05/2015 22:02

What about the one in Esher - again a bit marmite but people originally anti were very impressed after going and their dc have thrived there. The name will come to me...

HairyMaclary · 18/05/2015 21:31

At John's has a good reputation, it's one I've liked at and liked a lot. Have friends with children there, they think it's v good.

Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 21:22

Interesting, thx Hairy.
I've also read in other posts about ST. Johns Leatherhead and Kingston Grammar. Its a bit like starting again but for different reasons!

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HairyMaclary · 18/05/2015 21:14

No, not out boarding, they cal it flexible boarding but it's 7 nights a year. About 50/50 boarding/day from memory

Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 21:12

Oh.... RAAS is only boarding?.....

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Namehanger · 18/05/2015 21:12

Frensham Heights - bit like marmite

Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 21:10

Lovealotbear - how have they helped your DS?

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Original poster
Hecticmumof4 · 18/05/2015 21:10

Thanks - private for us. Our DS needs pastoral care from an emotional point. V good academically but struggles to concetrate due to private issues. I think he needs a smaller school so was interested about large schools having better pastoral. I'll look at RAAS and am interested in both your views . No probs Hairy.

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springrain · 18/05/2015 20:53

Afraid this is not first hand experience but have you looked at The Priory in Dorking? It has a PAN of 150 per year so relatively small for Surrey and always used to have a good reputation for pastoral care - I know of other parents who moved their DC there due to its smaller size and inclusiveness who have been very happy. Just looked at its OFSTED which was Dec 2014 and this was good and on an upward trend.

HairyMaclary · 18/05/2015 20:14

Sorry to hijack your thread hecticmum.

HairyMaclary · 18/05/2015 20:14

Yes Random Mess, I'd agree (I'm a teacher, primary though) however we need to to be fairly small for DS to get around unassisted. He has cerebral palsy - hence the need to pastoral care. No other academic needs though.

HairyMaclary · 18/05/2015 20:12

That's interesting about RAAS. They were on our list but i've spoken to some v unhappy parents so it's just come off it. I liked t when we went around but did have some niggles.

lovealotbear · 18/05/2015 19:54

We moved our son to Royal Albert and Alexander which we have found to have great pastoral care for a sensitive 12 year old compared to his previous school.

To be honest in state I am not sure there is much of a choice unless you are prepared to move, and can afford those costs get into a particular Secondary school.