Does anyone's DS go to Cardinal Vaughan in London

No 134, would you mind saying where your son is going? You're so right about them tipping over the line!

Pengimum, I'm so sorry to have freaked you out, and I truly hope your ds is OK, did he get a music scholarship?

I really expected to like both the Oratory and the Vaughan -- I had heard tales of strictness, but I'm not in the wussy liberal parenting camp myself, so I thought I'd be okay with that. But I really didn't like the feel of either of them, and dh and ds felt the same way. I think all successful schools have a sense of conviction and direction, and sometimes that can go over the line and tip into arrogance and inflexibility. I think that's what I perceived there, and what put me off.

But if you have an academic child, are prepared for them to be pushed hard and know what you've signed up for wrt discipline, then there's no reason why it shouldn't work out well for you. My ds is going to a school that is quite trad and blokey but much less stellar in the league tables and probably a lot of people's 2nd or 3rd choice after LOS/CV (it was our 1st choice). Time will tell whether it's the right decision. There are no guarantees whatever you choose, really.

Gosh, I had heard the complete opposite from acquaintances with DS at the Oratory - a vicious bootcamp and CVMS a much more supportive environment PROVIDED that your DS is not one to kick against the system.
Just shows how everyone's experience is their own.

The Oratory is also much better from a pastoral point of view from what I hear - ie teachers actually engage with you if you have a problem, unlike CV. CV has an amazing reputation, but the cost is the mental health of the boys.

But then I know mums with sons at the oratory which has a reputation for austerity and discipline - though not as Holy and academic as CV - but the boys really enjoy it. Sport is great, despite the lack of facilities. So maybe - and hopefully - CV will be fine.

My impressions (from looking round and from friends with dses there) echo the previous two posters. We decided against applying to the Vaughan (and the Oratory) for those reasons, plus the very cramped sites.

Probably not what you want to hear, but I expect there'll be someone along in a bit to say how their ds loves it and is thriving there.

Several of my friends have sons at CV - they largely echo frankiesene's take on it. The school best suits academic, highly competitive, very compliant and unsporty boys. Sorry to be voice of doom, but maybe this will suit.

My son is at the school, and we both hate it - it is VERY STRICT indeed, very inflexible, uncaring to most of the kids, very bad communication with parents, always asking for money, assumes everyone is wealthy and looks down on those who aren't. Sorry to give you bad news, but I wish someone had told me - there is no way my others will be going there, we are waiting for a place to come up somewhere else so my eldest can leave. He is really miserable and has undergone a complete personality change since starting in yr7. So sorry.

My DS got a music place at CVMS but we have gone for another school which is nearer to us. If we didn't have the other school option, I would have been happy for him to go to CV.

It is very strict and traditional and if you are not happy with that then it might not be the right place for you / your son.
HOwever, it gets great results and the boys coming out are beautifully mannered etc.

When we went for the audition, I sat in the entrance hall and could hear one of the masters screaming at the sixth formers which did surprise me a bit. I remember thinking to myself that if DS goes here, I should probably get him to go somewhere else for 6th form

Have a neighbour's son who goes. Don't know if it is strict, but wanted to say he is a lovely boy, a credit to both his family and the school, terribly polite and very organized. I cannot imagine a terrifying school would produce that kind of child. If that helps at all.....