MPW London Open Day

[piplou]

I've been considering this school for DD to do her A Levels at next year as I have heard good things. Looking at their website I see that I missed their open evening yesterday, did anyone go and what were your thoughts?

It is usually known as a crammer for people to take retakes but I do know of 2 children who went there (well actually the Cambridge MPW) to do 2 year A level courses and got better A level results than perhaps would have been anticipated by the schools where they did their gcses. They have a very low ratio of students to staff and it is not run as a school as such. For example some lessons were in the evening as the staff member was doing the tutoring s a second job. They are fairly expensive as far as other indies go in this area but I don't know whether the rate would be the same in London or would be inflated further.

So it is a different way of learning but seems to get results. As always you can't just buy results the kids still have to work for them but they are getting individual attention.

I missed it too, they have another one on December 1st who don't you book on to that?

They do seem to get good results but bear in mind that lots of pupils are there as they have had issues at other private schools. They take lots of pupils who have had issues with drugs, mental health issues etc. Best to be aware of this.

DD is going next year because it's the perfect compromise as she wants something less formal than school and DH wants small classes etc. The biggest advantage to me is that the DCs don't have to do all the time consuming stuff like volunteering, Saturday matches, constant open days, interview days etc. For DD it's not having to go to 6th form in a business suit. I do think the 6th form dress codes are ridiculous now particularly for pupils wanting to pursue Art etc.

DS has quite a few friends taking resits there from some of the top schools in the country, including his old school. I am constantly harassing him to find out how they're doing and they all love it, it's very chill apparently and the teaching is excellent. They're all lovely DCs, a couple unexpectedly underperformed at A level the others partied too hard!

MPW is not a school.
It does not appear on most people's CVs
but it does the job

Talkin - that was a long time ago, it's different now.

It now has a proper 6th form as well as the retake courses it offers. It also offers GCSEs so some kids sit those there. One of DD's friends was struggling in a very strict school environment so started in Y10 and will sit GCSEs there. It is also popular with returning overseas families looking for a Y10/Y11 start and those struggling in boarding schools.

And its a badge of honour now for the retakers, most of the Made in Chelsea cast have passed through those doors.

It definitely does the job, with terrific teaching.
But it does not feel like a school.
And is not often in pride of place on one's CV.

I am going to take DD along on the 1st so we can both get a feel for the place. DD is very independent but also very hard working so it sounds like it might be a good place for her by the sounds of the standard of teaching