Marylebone boys academy, any insights?

I haven't experience of the SEN provision, although I noticed they have that and welfare/wellbeing support available and staff seem very open to being contacted and discussing students' needs.

They have an ethos of focusing on rewards and understanding rather than punishment, so although they have quite a strict-seeming system of detentions and sanctions to ensure things are kept in order, it's done in a friendly and communicative way, if that makes sense. A very nurturing feel, fostering responsibility rather than antagonism.

Sports so far have been in two gyms in the school. They have P.E. twice a week and there are after school sports clubs also. The main drawback of this school is no outdoor space apart from the sports pitch on the roof.

Otherwise, it's been great.

Thank you for sharing your experience. What is SEN provision like? Do they use lots of sanctions ? Where do they do sports/games?

Just thought I'd come on this old thread to say we've found MBS brilliant so far. We were so worried about DS coping at secondary school, but he's had no problems at all, really loves it. Says staff and other boys are so friendly. I've found the teachers so helpful with any questions. It's been good academically too so far. DS is quite high academically, was bored at primary school, top in SATS, so has enjoyed learning Latin and more challenging maths as well as the practical things (MBS has lots of clubs like crafting/DT, pottery, as well as sports).

Just wanted to recommend the school as it's quite new and I think people don't know about it so much. There's not much good choice for boys where we live, so this has been such a good experience.

Maida Vale Parents

What's the local Facebook page called?

That's a really great point about mixed schools vs boys only - thank you!

The LEA and national averages will include girls and mixed schools. I think the national average for all boys at state schools is around 47% (can’t remember exactly) so 63% seems good for a boys school. I went to look around for my DS a couple of years ago and the head spoke about looking at the GCSE results in that context. (I quite liked the school BTW, but chose somewhere more local for DS in the end).

Oh would be interesting to see and read! What group is that?

Considering the school my DS was meant to be going to has 5+ GCSEs - 29% and the other is 16%, im really not put off by those results. I do appreciate I’m looking at it from a really low baseline though.

Good shout about Facebook. I didn’t even think about that, I’ll be checking those comments out and seeing if it’s anything that will concern us. Thanks.

I am surprised at the positive comments on this thread. On the local facebook page (I am local to this school), the comments are not very complementary.

They're below the LEA average, but quite a way above England's average.

There are none we'd have any chance of getting into, though, as we're not that close.

They perform below the LEA average. What am I missing? There are other schools in the area that perform better.

https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/school/140884/marylebone-boys'-school/secondary

Even the local sixth form college has sanctions for forgetting lanyards as it’s deemed a safeguarding issue

Thank you. We are defiantly going for a look.

Yes it’s a pass and also it holds a card that they record their points in.

I was wondering that too. Passes to get into the school?

What’s the significance of the lanyards/why so important?

😆 that's a relief. Yes, I'll definitely visit. Thank you so much for your input, it's really helpful hearing how parents have found it.

Yes, that would be extreme - I didn’t mean they get detention for untucked shirt but that they’re expected to have it tucked in. Rules are similar to every other school, it’s the fact that they are consequently expected to adhere to them is what keeps boys in check.
you’ll probably get a good feel for how the school operates on the open day, it’s a quiet and studious school.

Detention for shirt coming untucked sounds extreme!
I wonder if it's a trade-off: perhaps the only way a school achieves an acceptable environment is by enforcing strict rules.

Oh no no - it’s not for silly things like that, though they’re expected to have their shirt tucked in at all times. Punctuality is important so they get detention if late. Professional look and behaviour is expected. Homework done on time etc. The only thing my son considers as silly is getting detention for forgetting your lanyard 🙄

I’m ok with strict in a positive way, it has lots of benefits and makes a better learning environment, but does this include things like detentions for a top button undone? That’s something I’m not a fan of.

That's really good to hear — thank you!
I've booked an open morning visit to have a look.

I actually moved my son from another school due to bullying and couldn’t be much happier. He’s in year 10 now and none of the nasty stuff he experienced in the other school ever took place here. They are very efficient when it comes to dealing with bullying if it even happens, that’s what I heard from other parents too.
As for noisiness - he’s in set 1 in most subjects and says there is no disruption. I assume it can get noisy during breaks but that’s expected with boys that age - we know a few shy boys and they are perfectly happy in the school. Hope this helps!