Danes Hill school - Surrey

[Pennies]

I'm posting for a friend who is considering this school for her twin dds.

She had a look round the other day and really got the impression that it was a bit of an academic hothouse - teaching 3 & 4 year olds French etc etc. She wants to know how well the school balances its academic goals with pastoral care.

Does anyone know anything about it? She would be interested in any points of view and general information about the school.

Thanks.

I assume that she will have seen the Independent School Inspectorate report - if not it is [[http://www.isinspect.org.uk/reports/2003/0297_03.htm here].

It has a very good reputation. Yes, it takes the academic aspects seriously but also has a good all round rep.

I think she has seen it but thanks for that link anyway, she can view it from here if she's not seen it.

I think what she's looking for is opinion of mums rather than inspectors. She used to be a teacher so she can examine it with a professional eye so I think what she's after is more anecdotal stuff regarding the good, the bad and the ugly of Danes Hill!

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If you're reading this L - ignore iCod. As you can tell she can't type and has no edukashun and she doesn't even live in Surrey coz they won't let her in.

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why's it crap?

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But then by that rationale all the private schools which are done by ISI might as well tear up the reports surely? Is ther no objectivity? Why doesn't OFsted inspect them too if it's so biased?

If they offer a Nursery class or Out of School care, such as holiday clubs, then they are also Ofsted inspected.

The ISI has a vested interest in keeping independent schools going so will not give a poor report unless conditions are appalling. It will give you some basic factual information though. It is far better, as your friend realises, to find out what other mothers think and also to go by her own gut reaction.

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we have a friend whose little boy went there.

he wouldn't settle (crying) so they called the parents and told them either they had to stay with the child or pay a helper to go in with him because they couldn't have him unsettling the class . (that's a very short precis of rather a long problem!)

they said it looked fantastic on the face of it but if your child doesn't fit the mould, it's a bit of a nightmare.

(they didn't stick with it in the end!)

I was also thinking of sending my ds there if she lives in the area has she concidered The Royal Kent state school as they have brilliant results (in some cases better than Danes Hill) and most of the kids go onto good private secondary schools. Also the sports department is very good at Danes Hill. They do have a nursery which is ofsted reg and it is not as good as the royal!

foxinsocks - interesting re. your friend's LO. Where did they send him in the end?

Thelittlesoldiersmummy - I know she's considering one state school nearby but I'm not sure which one.

Twickenham Prep

he's such a lovely little boy - she liked the school very much, did loads of research but when push came to shove, it just wasn't the right school for them. It's so hard to tell in advance (especially if you are going for private school and have a choice!)