What happened to the Brighton College thread?

@Dodgeitornot I am sorry to hear that you feel this way about my posts regarding my DC’s school. Responding in a confrontational or dismissive manner, telling people who express themselves in a way that feels comfortable and natural to them to ‘just stop’ doesn’t make you look any better. Rather than making assumptions or passing judgment, it may be more productive to engage in a respectful conversation and open-minded way and express your concerns in a constructive manner.

Yes, it reads remarkably like marketing. If not for the use of 'DC' I'd say it could even have been AI-generated 😉

@Saltscooper if you're genuine, a career in advertising could await you!

@Saltscooper Genuine advice, at this point I really don't care if you're a legit BC parent or not, but if you are, you're making your kids school look at lot worse. Your posts read like an example PowerPoint slide on a PR lecture. You may not mean it, but that's how it looks. Just stop.

Well, shiver me timbers, you've acknowledged my writing style! Living by the sea in Brighton has a way of making words flow more expressively. I'll admit, though, that me hearty way of writing might not be everyone's cup of tea. So, I may have to find me sea legs and tone it down a bit. Or, I could always just put a disclaimer that says I'm not being sponsored by some big shot company. As a happy mum of a little buccaneer who's killin' it in school, I hope my enthusiasm oozes with genuine appreciation, rather than making me sound like a barking parrot. If you think I might be gettin' a bit too carried away, no sweat! I still appreciate the kind words, and I'll try to keep me excitement in check. Arrr!

I don't think it's because you wrote positively about the school. It's because the post sounds like the kind of gushing piece that would be written by a sponsor or someone in marketing. EG 'Never mind what they say about being an academic hot house, in reality it’s like a tropical rainforest of activities - there's always something bloomin' marvelous happening'. Maybe it's just the way you write...

It appears to me that you have a strong negative view/sentiment towards the school. I'm curious as to what led to this perspective? Have you or your DC had any unpleasant experiences with the school? Have you tried addressing your concerns with them directly and have not gotten an appropriate response? Or you’re simply upset and disappointed because you believe the original post was removed because the school requested it from MN? I think it's important to try and understand the root cause of these emotions so that things can move forward.

I understand that the OP requested for feedback from parents with children currently attending the school. I also understand each family's experience may differ. But labelling someone as condescending or a PR stunt based on their sharing of positive experiences may not be the most productive approach.

In any case, I am sure that the OP of the original Brighton College thread have already gotten her answer, even if it is not visible to the public anymore. What is your takeaway @dylexicdementor11 ?

@Saltscooper You're obviously in a mood to type based on the paragraphs. Maybe write something to the school office. If my kids school were taking down threads off Mumsnet at a rate where they were known for it, and forcing MN to lie about the reasons, I wouldn't be writing paragraphs singing their praises on here. I'd be livid.

@WayDownInTheHole I thought the same 😂
@Saltscooper god are you always this condescending?

It puzzles me how you can't seem to believe that a parent could actually have a positive experience with their child's school?! It's like you think we're just out here trying to pull off some kind of elaborate PR stunt, when really we're just trying to make sure our little ones are happy and thriving in their school.

I can reassure you that when you find a school where your child actually likes and is thriving in, it’s like winning the lottery! So if anyone wants to call that a PR stunt, they can go ahead and take a long walk off a short pier.

Yes, as a parent, choosing the right school for your DC is an important decision that requires careful consideration. However, there can be a social stigma attached to certain schools, particularly if they are perceived as being too competitive or having a particular reputation that may not be entirely positive. Unfortunately, this can lead to unfair assumptions about the children who attend these schools, with some people assuming that a child who attends a certain school must be unhappy or struggling in some way.

In reality, this kind of thinking is often based on stereotypes and assumptions rather than actual evidence. Every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. What I shared here is my own personal experience with my own DC.

So let's keep an open mind, stay focused on DC’s needs, and choose the school that will best fit their needs and help them thrive!

Absolutely outrageous work from the BC Marketing department 😂

Great, just great. Very convincing PR, thank you BC😋

BC is known for its rigorous academic standards and students are expected to work hard and keep up with the pace of the program. As concerned parents, we too had heard numerous unsettling stories about BC. We also understood the importance of firsthand experiences and thus availed ourselves of every opportunity to gain insights into the school and its offerings.

We diligently attended open days and taster days at multiple secondary schools to help us and our DC make an informed decision about their education. After all, they will be the ones who will spend their precious teenage years there!

Surprisingly, BC turned out to be the clear front-runner for our DC - who also, thankfully, turned out to be very happy there! DC feels that they’re always encouraged to have a go at things, to look out for each other, and they know who to turn to when they need help or support.

Perhaps most importantly, I have noticed a positive impact on our family dynamic since enrolling our DC at BC. The stress and tension that often accompanied homework and school projects in the past have been greatly reduced, thanks to the focus on individualised attention and in school prep clubs whenever they feel the need to brush up their essay writing skills or clarify some points they don’t quite understand in lessons, for example.

The College keep their students busy! Never mind what they say about being an academic hot house, in reality it’s like a tropical rainforest of activities - there's always something bloomin' marvelous happening. From cleaning up the beach to chess, science to drama and the arts, it's all there for everyone to join in. And the best part? Our DC is now a whole new person - more engaged, motivated, and confident, which has translated into a more relaxed and enjoyable home life for all of us. What we have now at home is a more relaxed (and happily exhausted) DC!

Ultimately, choosing the right school for your child involves taking the time to research and experience the schools yourself. Don't simply rely on hearsay, but instead make an informed decision based on your own observations and intuition.

It’s crucial to look beyond the opinions of others and form your own informed decision. While friends and family may have well-intentioned advice, it's important to remember that they may not understand the unique needs and preferences of your child.

Visiting schools in person is essential to gaining a deeper understanding of their culture, curriculum, and overall learning environment. You can arrange a private tour during school hours to suit your needs. It allows you to witness firsthand how teachers interact with students and observe the level of engagement and enthusiasm among the students. You can also talk directly with teachers and staff to get a better sense of how they interact with parents and what their educational philosophies are.

Attending taster days is also important. These events allow your DC to experience what it’s like to study there, and give them a chance to meet teachers and other students. This will also help them feel more comfortable and confident as they start at the new school.

By taking these steps, you are on the right track for making a more informed decision about which school is best for your child. Fingers crossed 🤞

I had no idea! Thanks for enlightening me. Also I hope in all of the chat you managed to find the info on the school you were looking for.

@Bananasplit80 that's always what they say

Yes, I’m actually quite shocked. I’ll get in touch with mumsnet. I’d like to know why they would say I asked the thread to be taken down.

So sorry I didn’t realise that! Point taken, I’ll delete my comments.

@dylexicdementor11 , wow, the power of a school's marketing dept!

I am the OP of the BC thread and I didn’t ask mumsnet to erase it.

@Dodgeitornot

@Bananasplit80 That's fine but that's just part and parcel of social media and happens to all schools, forcing a thread down makes you look like you do have something to hide.

I think the problem with the BC thread was that so many people were posting opinions without any actual experience of the school. Going to an open day/knowing someone who once went to a school isn’t the same. Everyone can have an opinion (I have several on Steiner/Waldorf schools but wouldn’t dream of posting comments about them as I don’t have first hand experience). The original poster had asked for comments from parents with children at the school, not from a load of people who don’t like the sound of it.

Yes, usually lawyers.