Anyone here have dc at RAAS?

[WafflewithCream]

Hi, we have heard mixed reviews about RAAS but like the extra curricular opportunities and the fact that day boarding is possible.

How happy are you and your dcc with RAAS? Would you recommend this school?

I went to an open day earlier in the year and had a quite good impression but wash;t convinced about the common rooms, they seemed a bit tired with tired toys. What is the intake like? we are a mixed race family and look for an aspiration place that supports ethnic and cultural diversity.

Thanks.

Oh looking at starting ds in yr 2 next year.

I looked too and didn't feel it offered any diversity.
Everyone I saw was white British.
Lots of kids had come from schools with behavioural issues too so that put me off too.

As what says in my user name.

My neighbours child goes to RAAS. She was an average kid in local state primary. Now she is considered G&T at RAAS, from what they say.
Maybe she has clicked, I don't know.

"I looked too and didn't feel it offered any diversity.
Everyone I saw was white British." I was somehow under the impression that the school community is international especially the borders but see that you didn't get that impression. Diversity IS important to us. I'll go to the open day in September and take a closer look around.

"Lots of kids had come from schools with behavioural issues too so that put me off too." This would definitely worry me too. Do you know why this is happening, are RAAS more likely to take in students with SN and or behavioural issues? I'd like to know about bullying too.

namechangedforthistopic12345 that's interesting and great for the young boy.

Thank you I really appreciate all the comments.

Sorry, I was being sarcastic. I don't think she would be considered G&T in local state, tbh.

RAAS has traditionally taken children referred from other areas due to Sen, behavioural or domestic problems. However I had thought this was less true now than before recent head's days. As a day school it is reasonably well respected and oversubscribed. It tends to attract those from local prep schools looking for an alternative to competitive entry private secondaries. As to international diversity, iirc the criteria for state boarding tends to limit overseas applicants to children of expats, services and government personnel.

Been to a few events there, I'd say the students look more diverse than other local schools, though less so than e.g. most London schools I've seen. No idea on the cultural diversity side.
I also know of a few families who've sent their children there from year 3. The local state secondary situation is quite uncertain, with the best rated school only accessible to religious families, so getting a secure secondary place is quite attractive. And the day boarding aspect a convenient alternative to wraparound care. The families I know have seemed very pleased with the school so far. Including one actually gifted child and one with special needs. There was a reputation locally of there being some bullying issues, but that may well be one of those rumours that lag behind reality.