Portland Place School

[PTA]

Hi all,

Having a bit of a nightmare just now. Having to move back to London for dh's job. Left when ds2 came along but things have not work out for dh's career in the manner he thought they would. Now moving back to get his career back on track.

Am looking at schools for ds1 and think that Portland Place might tick most of the boxes. The only thing that concerns me is the lack of outside space and sports facilities although I see that they bus the children to appropriate venues.

Can anyone provide any further info?

Also have ds2 with SEN and wondered about it for him when the time comes.

Thanks.

I don't know of the school directly but I do have a friend with a child who started there within the last year, child has dyslexia and is apparently thriving, they do sports every day (including cross country round Regents Park!). I understand that a lot of the parents are diplomats/arty types rather than City workers who would perhaps be choosing City of London or similar. HTH.

Thanks for that. Ds1 does show some dyspraxic markers but not enough to go for a diagnosis (agreed between myself and the doctor, didn't want him labelled when it's not serious) which is why I though Portland Place might suit him.

I'm also not that driven by exam results and would hate to see ds1 "hot housed" or under pressure. Hopefully we'll only be down a few years and can more back up for his secondary education.

Would be keen for any more anecdotal evidence of the school if anyone is still up!

Thanks again.

I know two children there, one quite weak academically and the other very gifted and the parents are delighted with PP. The teenagers seem happy and less pressurised than some London teenagers and get a lot of encouragement with teachers. The school used to be really easy to get a place at but has become much more in demand now as it has slowly gathered a good reputation. It is slightly looked down on by some who do not consider it academic enough but it looks at the whole child and not just exam results.

Thanks for that, sorry it's taken me a month to respond!

We are coming down later today (see my thread in weather!) and have an appointment with PP.

I have great expectations of it and just hope it lives up to them as I can't seemed to find anything else that I like. Even PP's literature hada nice "feel" about it.