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Original poster

The Cedars school Croydon *MNHQ tweaking title to Norwood*

33 replies

tabbykitkat · 15/11/2019 02:22

Hello,
I have been looking into The Cedars school. I know it is a Catholic school and has very good reviews.

The school is non selective (so it must intake boys of all abilities) but at the same time, the academic rigour appears to be strong, with boys expected to do at least 1.5 hour work after school time (to cover homework and self-study or revision), and boys undergoing frequent testing. This formula must be working well (along with the mentoring system) because the school exams results are really good.

Could any parent of a Cedar's pupil tell me how well children of mixed ability cope with the academic demands?

Also, how much homework is set per day/week and how challenging it is? Is there enough time for relaxation after all homework is completed?

About sports, could I ask how much of football is done as part of Games, and as fixture games against other schools? [DS is not much interested in rugby or cricket...]

What about discipline? How the school manage behaviour in lessons? Are disciplinary measures proportional, reasonable and consistent? Is school on the relaxed side or strict side? Is good behaviour recognised as well a bad behaviour punished?

Finally, how boys spend the lunch break. Apart from playing/watching table tennis, are they allowed to play other games like football?

Any response would be appreciate it.

OP posts:
Original poster
tabbykitkat · 16/11/2019 18:34

Thanks so much for your reply, user1473343040. It is very helpful.Smile

OP posts:
user1473343040 · 16/11/2019 15:50

If you have any other questions, @tabby, just give me a shout. The parent body is very friendly, and hosts several events each year (quiz nights, summer fair etc) which are good ways to get to know other families.

user1473343040 · 16/11/2019 15:47

There's a homework timetable, which is carefully scheduled to avoid excessive amounts falling on one day rather than spread evenly throughout the week.

I've asked my son - if someone brings a ball, they can have a kickabout at lunch/break-time. One term's sport (including fixtures) is football (and one term rugby and another cricket). Sport is taken seriously there! But not in an obsessive/disproportionate way; all boys, regardless of innate sporting prowess, are encouraged to take part.

user1473343040 · 16/11/2019 15:40

Hi there tabby, I have a son in Year 8 at The Cedars (and two daughters at the Laurels).

I will have to ask him about the football side of things (though he is not the sportiest boy in the world! He enjoys playing table-tennis during breaks, though, which implies that the school is relaxed about games).

It is a mixed-ability school, as you say. There are two forms per year, which may be lightly 'streamed'. The ethos of the school is to help each individual achieve the best that they are personally capable of, whatever that may be: 9xAs for one, 9xCs for another.

"What about discipline? How the school manage behaviour in lessons? Are disciplinary measures proportional, reasonable and consistent? Is school on the relaxed side or strict side? Is good behaviour recognised as well a bad behaviour punished?"

Your last sentence sums it up perfectly. The school is very good at recognising and praising individual achievements, in whatever area (sporting, academic, music, character). The discipline I would describe as rigorous, but coupled with great care and sensitivity. Forming young men of great strength of character is what this school exists to do, primarily, and they believe that great academic results will follow off the back of that.

Original poster
tabbykitkat · 15/11/2019 22:45

Thanks a lot, matcatwoman.
I did read the other threads but did not find the answer to my queries (which relate more to the practicals of school life hence I was hoping to hear from Cedars' parents).

OP posts:
matcatwomanheresheis · 15/11/2019 22:32

It’s an Opus Dei school I believe. Just in case you weren’t aware of this, please do look into this in detail.

There have been various other threads about this school and also The Laurels (run by the same organisation). The threads were most peculiar, to say the least. If you do a search, I’m sure you’ll find them.

Original poster
tabbykitkat · 15/11/2019 22:01

Thanks Jojo. I was referring to the indicators published by the DfE, which are well above local authority's and England's average.

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 15/11/2019 10:59

What do you mean by really good exam results? It’s on par with good comps in terms of grades 7-9 at GCSE.