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Original poster

Emanuel School

43 replies

Mumster40 · 10/01/2019 08:42

Hello there, I wonder if anyone can give me an insight into Emanuel School? My DD is sitting the entrance exam and I’m looking for reassurance that this is a good fit for her. The fees would be a huge stretch for us so this is not a decision I can afford to take lightly. That is - if she even gets a place! DD is very creative - into drama and the arts but also enjoys her academic studies. She’s not sporty. I’d love to hear from parents with children already at the school. Thank you so much.

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montlieu · 28/09/2020 14:07

@AveEldon thank you I have seen that, only more intrigued now !

AveEldon · 24/09/2020 07:34

There has been some discussion on Nappyvalleynet

montlieu · 23/09/2020 22:33

Hello
is anyone able to fill me in the newish Head at Emanuel ? he does seem marmite a bit, and I would like to understand as the school seems to have smarted up. do people find it too pressured now under his leadership ? has he introduced any changes which have upset existing families ?
we are applying for 11+ in January. many thanks

Sweetnhappy1 · 16/12/2019 12:22

@sanam2019 I don't know about CAT scores but my DD got into WHS and Tiffin but didn't get a scholarship for Emanuel, just a normal offer.

sanam2019 · 15/12/2019 23:38

any insight on how hard it is to get a considerable academic scholarship at the school? What sort of CAT scores or any other benchmark should DC be at? DD is bright and would probably get into the likes of G&L or WHS but not a genius either (SPGS wouldn't be the right school for her I think). We're in the catchment for Lady Margaret School and are tempted by that, but would go for Emanuel if she can get a 50% scholarship (mainly because of sports and drama). Not sure how realistic it is. Would love to hear from anyone who has personal experience of the academic scholarshop. Thanks.

goingoutout · 07/06/2019 13:14

Congratulations to those who got in.
I have two just finishing year 7. They're very different and both LOVE it. It's a very kind school but academic too. One thing I found fantastic was that boys who don't like rugby are offered Fives instead.
The clubs on offer are great and run til 5pm.
A negative seems to be that if you're not brilliant at sport but are still keen there isn't as much opportunity to play as for the very sporty ones.
Also they stream in maths from year 7 - think someone said year 8 above.

Jessie44 · 21/05/2019 11:16

Emanuel School
Year 6, known as Hill form 48 pupils
Registration for September 2020 start is now OPEN and will close at 12.00pm on Friday 18th October 2019.
www.emanuel.org.uk/admissions/10-plus-entry/

Jessie44 · 21/05/2019 11:13

Emanuel School
Year 6, known as Hill form 48 pupils.
Registration for September 2020 start is now OPEN and will close at 12.00pm on Friday 18th October 2019.

Original poster
Mumster40 · 27/02/2019 21:48

Hi @Time4Gin. Well done to your DS getting a place and a scholarship! You must be over the moon. I’m taking DD to the open afternoon on Friday afternoon. Really looking forward to seeing Emanuel during a school day. And yes, we have decided to accept the place for September. Couldn’t be happier.

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Time4Gin · 27/02/2019 14:28

Hi @mumster40 I am so glad to hear you got an offer. Our DS did too at 10+ for entry this year and I am overjoyed because I think the school is fantastic. The co-curricula and pastoral care is amazing and the new head is pushing up the academia too but the friendly, warm vibe and focus on well-rounded considerate and kind kids is what did it for us. Did you go to the “see again” morning this morning? We did and accepted the offer just now. DS got a scholarship in drama so we thought this was a wonderful opportunity for him. We are also thrilled to bits we don’t have to be part of the bun fight come October /March 2020.

How are you thinking/feeling about accepting the offer?

ladygaga01 · 25/02/2019 17:34

Well done!! Huge congratulations. Am happy for you / your DD

Original poster
Mumster40 · 25/02/2019 17:32

Yes she did! We’re all thrilled. Thanks so much for all the advice everyone.

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ladygaga01 · 25/02/2019 17:03

Mumster40 - just curious, did your DD get in? Fingers crossed

Original poster
Mumster40 · 13/02/2019 17:38

Thank you for your responses. It’s really encouraging to read about how happy your children are at the school as that’s my main priority.
Interesting to read how the new head is implementing changes and the repercussions of said changes.....
Results are posted tomorrow....
Should I look out for a big or small envelope?!

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ladygaga01 · 12/02/2019 14:43

Mumster40 -
Everyone has their personal reasons for trying either 10+ or 11+, but fwiw I feel I did a wrong decision by NOT having applied at 10+. You and your DD definitely in with a better chance, the school is lovely and she will do well there no matter the entry point I'm sure.

The only thing: I have heard that the new HM is implementing quite a few changes (which has also affected personnel) and there is now a divide between the staff that has been there for ages / and the newly brought in academic staff.

Apparently it's having a negative effect on the atmosphere and the learning. Does anyone know more?

tempo · 12/02/2019 13:57

Mumster, I hope you get good news soon. My DS is at the school, all I can say is we chose it on the gut feeling that it had a very happy feel about it, despite not being the top academically and at the time a little rough around the edges. And for me friendships and pastoral care count as much as academics.

That said, the new head is definitely upping the ante on the academic and discipline front and has smartened the place up. As MCMidget pointed out, results are maybe not as stellar as some. But that is in part because it accepts, or certainly had always accepted, a very broad range of abilities, unlike the "top" schools who are offering places only to the very, very brightest. If your child is even half way academic they will achieve. My DS is on course for mostly 7,8,9s in GCSE (A & A* in old money) and although bright I wouldn't say he was brain of Britain!
But choices are completely individual to every child and every family for multiple different reasons.

All i can say is good luck and if you do get an offer, I personally would seriously consider accepting it.

Emanuelmum · 10/02/2019 18:45

My DC started Y7 in September, is into music, drama and schoolwork and couldn’t be happier because of the great opportunities. Other DC is at what’s considered to be a far more academic school but I can’t really see a difference in how they’re taught or their expectations of the children. And Emanuel seems to win out by miles in terms of happy atmosphere and sense of community.

Original poster
Mumster40 · 10/02/2019 16:26

Thank you for the reassurance. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Are their any current Emanuel parents out there who can offer me their opinion of the school?

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AbstractNoun · 10/02/2019 12:05

Don't worry. It's a fantastic school. Just a little less academic than the other schools whose abbreviations you mention. And for many, that's not a bad thing.

Testbunny · 10/02/2019 12:03

Hold your nerve! There are more girls only options, hence more discussion, maybe. I don't believe there are girls' schools that do 10+, either. You and your DD loved Emanuel, remember that. In my DC's class last year 9 sat the 11+ at Emanuel, 3 got offers and 1 went. One of those offered got a sports scholarship elsewhere and the other went all girls. I don't know any children who have taken the 10+, however. Don't worry about what's going on on Mumsnet, addictive though it is 😉.

Original poster
Mumster40 · 10/02/2019 08:53

I'm counting down the days until we hear back from Emanuel. My DD sat the 10+ exam. We loved the school and think it would be a great fit for my DD. Part of my reasoning for applying for a 10+ place was to try and avoid the craziness/ stress of the 11+. But I'm starting to worry that this wasn't the right decision as I'm (potentially) limiting my DD's options. I know that she may not be lucky enough to get a place at all! Has anyone else been in this position? Made the choice to enter at 10+? How have you found it? Also, from reading this forum Emanuel isn't really mentioned very much. Is there a reason for this? WHS, SHS, LEH, G&L, SPGS, PHS all get talked about a lot. So much so I've had to learn all the abbreviations..... Am I missing a trick? Please can anyone at the school reassure me I'm doing the right thing? Gosh. This is rambling. Apologies.

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Original poster
Mumster40 · 24/01/2019 20:40

Really appreciate everyone who has taken the trouble to post.

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lottiebear69 · 24/01/2019 20:11

Glad to have helped !

MGMidget · 24/01/2019 19:30

Lottiebear, thanks, although your answer isn't directed at me you have certainly helped answer my question too!

lottiebear69 · 24/01/2019 19:24

For OP I have sons at the school and they like it, the main thing I like is that they keep on top of the kids and will contact you with any issues in performance. It is hard to get in now and I thought the sibling policy had been scrapped because with my ds friends none of the siblings got offered even a wait list place last year, new head is hot onthe academic side and has tightened things up which parents like in the main and kids don’t ! Drama there is great and lots of sport. No clubs that run til 6 as most pupils travel independantly from yr 7 which is normal after first week or so. Transport links are good