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Education

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Durston House Prep School - Ealing W5

4 replies

woolsh · 16/12/2011 10:27

Hi

Do any parents have sons at Durtson House school?
Are they happy with the teaching, general environment and facilities?
Are the boys happy at Durston?

I have heard so may different views ranging from great school to too much pressure!
Would be great to hear from parents with kids currently at Durston.
Many thanks
Xmas Confused

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LadyGnome · 16/12/2011 11:51

I've namechanged for this but I am a regular poster

Positives
My sons are at DH YR4 and YR. They are both doing well there. My older son is very involved in music - instrumental and singing. Sport is strong, they have good facilities and play regular fixtures against other schools such as Orley Farm, Sussex House etc.

DS1 struggled with reading and has had one on one and small group support from the learning support teachers at no extra cost. The school doesn't select for entry so is used to dealing with a range of abilities.

I have found the staff approachable and they do offer regular opportunities for parents to attend assemblies, see work etc.

The school is culturally diverse and although the school has a broadly Christian ethos its not overpowering (my sons are not Christian but DS1 happily sang in the choir for the carol service)

Negatives
On occasion the homework burden can be a bit heavy. Having said that I have agreed a more phased approach with the teachers if I felt DS1 was struggling.

No school canteen so it is packed lunches every day (I am used to this now).

School is split across 3 buildings with one set of playing fields about 5 mins walk away and the main sports fields 10-15 mins away.

Overall
It is a good school with a friendly atmosphere. The academic standards are high but being realistic they have to be that high if you want to get boys into schools like St Paul's, Merchant Taylors, Westminster etc. To some extent you have to accept there will be a fair degree of pressure later as the boys go up the school because Senior Schools expect such high results on the CE. Having said that, the pressure so far, has been well within my sons' capabilities i.e. things may stretch him but they don't overwhelm him.

woolsh · 17/12/2011 17:49

Thanks LadyGnome.

That was very helpful. Really appreciated.

If you don't mind, I have a few more questions.

  1. Are there any facilities or chance for the the boys to have hot lunches?
  2. Do they have homework club?
We would like our son to enjoy family time when he comes home.
  1. How many families opt to try for the 11+ at Grammar schools?
  2. Do your sons miss not having girls to interact with?
My son like girls and boys!

Many thanks in advance
Smile

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LadyGnome · 17/12/2011 22:25

Hi Woolsh

Taking your questions in order

  1. No facilities for hot lunches. However, some boys do bring hot food in a food flask.
  1. In the first couple of years up to and including Yr2 I would say the amount and type of homework doesn't intrude much on family life e.g. reading, learning spellings etc. There is afterschool care until 6pm which costs £1.95 per 15mins. From YR3 onwards I think they can do supervised HW during that time. There are also free afterschool activities such as arts and crafts. If I remember correctly you can use childcare vouchers for afterschool care as it is not fees for education but rather for childcare.
  1. Whilst the school does cater for boys leaving at 11 or 13. Most still leave at 13 and those that leave at 11 often stay in the independant sector. Looking at the 2010 accounts on the charity commission website accounts here only 1 boy went to a grammer at 11 and another to a state boarding school. Note - if any school you are considering is a charity check their accounts on the charity commission website.
  1. My sons don't seem to mind not having girls around. I think it is something to consider but there are pros and cons of single sex education.
woolsh · 18/12/2011 10:38

Many thanks LadyGnome!

Very helpful and much appreciated.

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