hot house v's not so pushy!

[Will123]

just wondering what people's views are on the so called Surrey 'hot house' schools and not so 'hot house schools' i.e the ones that call themselves 'all rounders'? Has anyone moved their children from all round schools to the so called hot house schools?

Just wanted to add that state schools can sometimes have a selective high achieving feel to them. My SIL lives in a very affluent area in the midlands. In her kids school last year, half of the year 6 children got level 5 in their sats. There were also quite a few random level 6's.

Older DD and DS were at the big 'hot house' two. It worked for them, they weren't typical 'hot house' types - more quiet, less competitive but hard working and had their interests. They both thrived and needed the academic environments where it was cool and acceptable to be hard working. They both had very good friends, very balanced lives, were in school teams despite not being the absolute best and have gone on to top unis/careers.

Younger DD is similarly academic but is not confident with work and is the type who seems to feel very threatened by louder, more outgoing 'cool' kids. We are looking at smaller schools because the 'hot houses' just seem a bit big for her. Perhaps we'll move her later - we will see. She is just very different to my older two who were quiet but content. She is more susceptibility to pressure which makes me think a different type of school is needed.

Havign said that I've worked in everything from state schools in difficult areas to private very academic schools and found the pressure was actually least at the most academic where pupils were naturally able to make the progress and hardworking. Pressure was more in less selective schools where there was less of a culture of hard work.
I also strongly argue against the sending a shy child to a less academic school - if your child is quietly content they will be fine, it is more an issue for the ones who give up/back away from opportunity when faced with more outgoing girls (which is what my younger DD does)

Sorry just realised this is a zombie thread...

I sent my DD to a not to selective school. She had the stuffing knocked out of her at a very hard primary. She is smart but not hothouse smart. The school really has started to bring the best out of her. So I would say don't go for the brand names if your child can't hack it. Find a school that suits your child.

THIS THREAD IS FROM 2010 FOLKS