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Original poster

Blackheath

16 replies

Edwina76 · 18/04/2015 16:27

Does anyone have any recent experience with Blackheath Prep and High. I have two girls that would be going into year 4 and 6, with the older one needing extra support for maths. Is there good learning support offered in the school or are the girls just expected to keep up. Is the entry test difficult. I cannot get a gauge as to whether or not its an academic school or more relaxed/nuturing. Also what are the facilities like for sport and drama. Any advice would be greatly received.

OP posts:
elltee · 19/04/2015 22:25

Not totally sure which school you mean OP? The all-girls 3-18 or the one that's co-ed to 11 only. Or either?

If the former, my experience was that although it has a reputation locally for being more relaxed, they did not want to touch my DD1 (going into y4) with a barge pole due to her dyslexia and doubts as to whether she'd be able to progress to the senior school.

if the latter school, its reputation for learning support and recognising SN is not good. Many parents tutor anyway due to the fact that they are entering their DCs for very competitive senior school options.

Original poster
Edwina76 · 20/04/2015 01:42

Thanks so much for your reply. Sorry I was unclear. I was talking about the girls school 3-18. It does not sound as if they are very supportive to those kids that need the extra help. My DD has not been diagnosed with anything as such, but really struggles in Maths and finds extra support in class, in addition to tutoring outside will get her through. But just being thrown straight into the mix is no good. Also we are coming from the US having been out of the country for 6 years so there will be a period of readjustment. It does not sound to be the nurturing kind of school that we need.

OP posts:
elltee · 20/04/2015 17:50

Not sure how helpful I was! Honestly I would research all your local options including the state primaries so you have a plan B. Our experience when looking to move both our DDs is that the local private schools have no compunction in offering a place to one sibling and not the other.

If you PM me I may be able to make some suggestions.

MrsFogi · 26/04/2015 16:50

I suspect you may find you get more support at Pointers than either of the schools you mention.

Pepper2468 · 26/04/2015 17:22

Is that based on personal experience or local knowledge of the school MrsFogi?

fleurdelacourt · 27/04/2015 09:58

if one dc is in year 6 - why would you choose Pointers??

Colfes? Goes through to 18 and has great support across all areas?

Nonreplicable · 27/04/2015 14:33

Friends with children with additional needs have them at Riverston and Farringtons. Both families very happy with their choices and both schools go all the way.
I have a child at Pointers and my impression is that the support for children who need extra help academically has been good - although this is not first hand experience. On the other hand, I think they have been less tolerant towards children with behavioural issues.

fleurdelacourt · 28/04/2015 09:24

OP's daughter needs just some extra help with maths - she has no need of the specialist education that Riverston provides?

elltee · 28/04/2015 21:59

Fleur, I would agree. PS OP: Colfes even less interested in admitting dyslexic DD1 than BH High.

fleurdelacourt · 29/04/2015 14:14

interesting elltee - a good friend is considering Colfes for her dyslexic daughter because she was so impressed with their SEN provision and dyslexic specialists....

This was to go into Y7 - has she got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

elltee · 29/04/2015 21:14

I can't comment on the senior school - we were talking to the junior school about Y4 entry. I told them upfront she was dyslexic. They took the registration fee, did an admission test with her and sent a four line rejection letter saying she was 'below the national average' - objectively, not true btw based on her levels. Didn't even want to see the ed psych report setting out where she needed support.

So I would suggest your friend ask some very specific questions about what sort of SEN are properly supported before parting with any money for registration or exam fees.

Nonreplicable · 29/04/2015 22:01

Eltham College has been very helpful to a friend with a dyslexic DS. This would not help the OP who has girls but could be helpful to others. Ah, I so wish Eltham was co-ed, would make my life so much easier!

elltee · 30/04/2015 08:12

But......all these schools have selective entry tests and as far as I can tell, minimal access arrangements.....so by definition might help the child with SpLDs who does ok by conventional academic standards despite their difficulties (because they've passed the exams) but not the child who hasn't yet developed coping strategies or is in need of help. It amounts to requiring the person with a disability to outperform.

fleurdelacourt · 30/04/2015 10:06

interesting elltee.....

Colfes - everyone I know who has ever sat the senior school exam has passed. So although there is a barrier, it's pretty notional -especially for those already in the junior school who are given the nod as to whether or not to apply at 11+ (only 1-2 a year).

Nonr - agree entirely - wish Eltham could be co-ed and pretty quickly!!

Nonreplicable · 30/04/2015 13:25

My friend's boy was called back after the Eltham exam as he had a big discrepancy between maths and English results, he passed the former with one of the top scores but failed the latter. He was referred for assessments and found to be dyslexic. He is now at the school and very happy there, according to his mum. The school assesses all boys for dyslexia in year 3.

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