Thornton College or Akeley Wood Junior (near Buckingham)

[slp123]

Hi, I tried posting on primary education but no responses so far, I was wondering if anyone have any experience of either Thornton College or Akeley Wood Junior (near Buckingham)?
Would appreciate any opinions/experience.
Thank you

[negrilbaby]

I have a daughter at Thornton and she has never been happier. The concern and care given to her have been second to none. The girls play and fall out with one another - that is natural - and they are taught to manage this type of behaviour. Bullying is not evident. Having moved my LO from a school where bullying was rife, I am fully aware of the difference.

It is a small school and so all the girls are known by name by most of the staff. The older girls look after the younger ones and any issues are dealt with swiftly and compassionately. The sixth form initiated a Buddy Bench for any one feeling in need of a friend (they sit at the bench and someone will always join them for a chat or to invite them to join their game) and girls volunteered to be Buddies.

My daughter attends after school club most evenings and has had no issues.

There has been a push on increasing the girls' resilliance (forest school, more active play on climbing wall, monkey bars etc, playing out when the weather is not 'perfect') and this seems to be being resisted by a number of parents.

I would recommend Thornton whole heartedly!

[negrilbaby]

Prior to moving my daughter she was in a Bucks primary in a class of 33. Countless supply teachers, physical violence in the classroom and playground, and an inefficient head teacher. All in a lovely, leafy village school!

[MoonahStone]

And now the head of Akeley jnrs has left too with lots of grumbling from the staff about the deputy head who has taken over.

[BubblesBuddy]

Most Bucks primary schools are excellent and not remotely like the one described above. Sometimes there can be SEN children with extreme behaviour problems who make life difficult for everyone but infant classes are unlikely to have 33. That’s 3 over the permitted number. At junior level, schools and appeal panels can hold the line at 30 unless SEN and other categories of vulnerable DC need a place. Again 3 over is unusual in this area. I guess the Head was useless but that’s not the norm either!

[CauldronBubble]

Wondering if any parents have more recent views on Thornton College? Thank you!

[negrilbaby]

My daughter has moved from the Prep to the Senior school in Thornton this year and is still very settled and happy. Thornton provided extremely well throughout the lockdowns - with full teaching days from the start. It is now beginning to feel 'normal' again - she had a real school trip last week into London.
The staff really know the girls - their strengths and weaknesses - and seem to really care.
There are countless lunchtime clubs to attend. My daughter does something different every day. I would recommend it.

[Yellow60615]

So having 'decided' on Headington School Oxford (pending entrance exams) for DD, Thornton College has thrown a nice spanner in the works. The open day at the weekend was lovely. The feeling around the school was really nice, some good facilities in a lovely setting. Academic results look great. Door to door transport seems a big plus. Anyone have any experience of the transport, Im thinking especially in terms of reliability?

[Marls81]

I'd be interested how it all went at Thornton? I'm considering it but very apprehensive about the fact our children wouldn't be "included" as not catholic?

[Marls81]

Hello wondering how in the years since your post your daughter found Thornton? We are considering it? But aren't Catholic.. But want a warm caring school that will give our kids the attention and growth to excel....xx

[Marls81]

How are you finding Thornton? We are sending our girls in September..? We aren't catholic so have some reservation and wondering if it's the right decision...

[gazebobean]

How old are your girls @Marls81 ? Very large turnover of girls leaving Thornton after GCSEs this year for more academic 6th forms.

[Marls81]

Would be just Joining at secondary age...year 7

Dis your child go there?

[gazebobean]

2 of my girls did, 1 was at Akeley for a bit as well. Have boys too but obviously wouldn't send them to Thornton!

[Marls81]

Ah OK...so would you recommend? Did they enjoy their time there? Akeley sixth form seems good? Maybe an option for after Thornton!

[gazebobean]

Feel free to PM if you want to chat @Marls81 as every child is different as to what school is best for them. I can 100% say don't consider Akeley 6th form though!

[TizerorFizz]

Just go to Swanbourne or Winchester House and then Stowe. Neither of these other schools has the cachet and they are definitely not RLS either.

[TizerorFizz]

The results at Thornton are about the same as Waddesdon secondary. I’d move to Waddesdon!!

[Marls81]

What makes you say that about Akeley? Thought it just got awarded highly commended or something? After its 1m reno! Seems more varied choice of subjects over Thornton!...
I've not heard good things about the secondary school there, that's why we choose Thornton. Not sure how to PM on here??

[gazebobean]

TizerorFizz is spot on in their summary.

Akeley 6th form highly commended, I'd place money that's not an award from a recognised independent body and more like one of those PR awards you enter yourself. Happy to be proved wrong so please do post the link.

Akeley is a Cognita school and it's all about making money for Cognita. They can't keep headteachers or staff and the churn of pupils is huge plus the academic results are lower than all the other schools in the area. Funnily enough these facts aren't on their website. Never a waiting list for any school year and kids start at any point in the year which is often disruptive for the class and teacher. The fees are above the price point for their offering because of the expenses of being on 3 sites and the long leases Cognita are tied into.

Our experience (recent) is Akeley jnr and Thornton were both nurturing and some teachers were excellent. Thornton is more stable and it's 6th form new hence the lack of options so far. Neither school academic but why would they be when in Bucks the brightest kids pass the 11plus and go elsewhere. Lots of extra curriculum options at both just on a smaller scale than the schools Tiz mentions.

[TizerorFizz]

The success of a 6th form at Thornton will depend on how many stay. For years the brighter girls have gone to RLS or Stowe.

If anyone in North Bucks doesn’t know Waddesdon, I’m amazed. It has a tiny catchment but it’s the best school that’s not a grammar in Bucks: it’s outstanding.

Within the private schools ranks, Stowe is a name people know. No one knows the others. Cognita is an owner of very average private schools. If you are going to pay, pay for something that has everything you could want. Stowe isn’t that difficult to get into.

[Nicashappy]

My DS absolutely loved Akeley 6th form but that was about 5 years ago, have lost touch so don't know what it's like now but he honestly loved it.

[Nicashappy]

@TizerorFizz

The success of a 6th form at Thornton will depend on how many stay. For years the brighter girls have gone to RLS or Stowe.

If anyone in North Bucks doesn’t know Waddesdon, I’m amazed. It has a tiny catchment but it’s the best school that’s not a grammar in Bucks: it’s outstanding.

Within the private schools ranks, Stowe is a name people know. No one knows the others. Cognita is an owner of very average private schools. If you are going to pay, pay for something that has everything you could want. Stowe isn’t that difficult to get into.

Yes but if you're local you'll know exactly the reputation that Stowe has and it's also far more expensive than Akeley.

[TizerorFizz]

I am local and I’d still choose Stowe. It’s a name that still means something. It’s got a few chattering people who dislike it but generally it’s far superior to Akeley Wood. It’s more expensive for obvious reasons! Look at what you get.

[Marls81]

But my kids don't want to go to school on Saturdays! 🤣 and aren't very sporty...so you have to find the best fit for your child I guess..

[Nicashappy]

@TizerorFizz

I am local and I’d still choose Stowe. It’s a name that still means something. It’s got a few chattering people who dislike it but generally it’s far superior to Akeley Wood. It’s more expensive for obvious reasons! Look at what you get.

Flash grounds and flash parents tbh 🤭