The Perse

11 replies

Thelancs · 15/02/2021 10:17

My daughter has received two offers so far and we are now just waiting the hear if she has been successful at The Perse following her interview. I think that the school would be a good fit for our daughter but as I don’t know anyone with children at the school I have been doing lots of searches on sites like this. There is one post from one year ago which has been playing on my mind, it basically said that the school was sexist when it came to STEM (by both boys and some teachers) and understandably has me rethinking our choices going forward. Does anyone have any daughters at this school and how has their experience been?

OP posts:

SeasonFinale · 15/02/2021 17:31

l PM you.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 15/02/2021 17:54

The Perse gets excellent results across the board. I’ve seen various art exhibitions and was very impressed with the quality of the work. One friend went to an open day though (with her daughter) and was underwhelmed. Colleagues have been very pleased with how their sons have done there.

I’ve heard of a number of kids being asked to leave (managed out) because although they got in, they weren’t bright enough over the long term. No idea how much was sour grapes though. 🤷🏻‍♀️

ReservoirDogs · 16/02/2021 09:56

Perhaps the friend was comparing the open days to ones run by schools that actively have to recruit rather than one that displays what is has to offer. Or maybe it was unusual in that it was during lockdown. Usually students take people round on tours and they are the best adverts I usually find. I don't think they did this during lockdown because of breaking year group bubbles.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 16/02/2021 11:26

It was pre lockdown. The dad liked the school, the daughter liked the facilities, but the mum wasn’t impressed. Each to their own.

VanillaMilkshake123 · 25/02/2021 07:02

I am having difficulties deciding whether or not to to send DS to The Perse. The school itself it most impressive but I am worried about DS not being able to survive the competitiveness... What sort of help will they give to students who are struggling academically?

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 25/02/2021 15:18

From people who may have sour grapes - not a lot. It is competitive, as are a fair few of the parents. But it’s be up to you how much you engage.

As mentioned above, I also know people who have been v happy. One of those did send a kid elsewhere though as he couldn’t keep up.

Linda1981 · 15/08/2023 22:59

@SeasonFinale I would be interested in your insight on the sexist question please.

SeasonFinale · 16/08/2023 10:28

Linda1981 · 15/08/2023 22:59

@SeasonFinale I would be interested in your insight on the sexist question please.

Its total nonsense. Ask the schools how many girls take STEM A levels and ask them for a breakdown of the number of girls taking STEM subjects at uni and you will see that people who don't get in or who have their own incorrect perceptions of the school as a hot house etc seem to have sour grapes about the school.

Linda1981 · 16/08/2023 11:05

@SeasonFinale thank you so much, that is reassuring! I have two criteria for the school - child enjoying it / being happy and academics. Do you feel Perse meets both? I was also warned about some school trip incident where the students stole artefacts? I presume this is not really reflective of the school as a whole.

SeasonFinale · 16/08/2023 11:24

Linda1981 · 16/08/2023 11:05

That is really historic news. My son left Perse 3 years ago and that happened the year before he even started. 2 boys picked up buttons from the ground at Auschwitz and put them in their pockets. Silly thing to do obviously and blown up in press because they like a good private school boy bashing story.

Yes my son loved his time there and did Well academically too. He had a gap year and is about to go into his final year for a humanities subject (although when he started at The Perse we thought he would pursue STEM(!) ) , is working at a first level and has secured a city job post grad from a summer internship. I have no doubt his grounding at The Perse has contributed to all that.

They have all sorts of clubs, music, arts, science, sports available to them too.

Further we see the lovely friends he made there all flourishing in a similar way.

It is obviously competitive to get a place there but it is usually at prep where they may be told that it would be better to look at alternate post year 6 provision if they won't be able to keep up at y7-11 level I believe.

If you get a place I would say grab it with both hands.

Linda1981 · 16/08/2023 11:38

@SeasonFinale thank you, this is really helpful. Ist it worthwhile sending one's child from nursery/pre-prep (I think Pelican)?

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