Eltham College - experience for girls?

[KSEmum]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of Eltham
College and how the experience has been for girls in particular. My daughter has recently been offered a place at the junior school to start in year 3 in September. She is a very academic but quite shy little girl and is currently in a lovely girls school that has a very nurturing environment with great pastoral care.

I think my daughter will thrive in an academic environment but I am concerned as Eltham College has only recently turned coed and so don’t have much experience catering for the girls.

I would be very grateful if anyone with experience of the school has any feedback on how they have adapted for the girls. Do you find the school has adapted well and are able to provide the same opportunities to girls or is the culture very male dominant? Would a shy little girl who is academically capable have a chance to shine there or is it really more for very confident children?

I would also be interested for any one with experience further up the school as to whether the girls are encouraged as much in the STEM subjects and whether they have seen the school working to break down gender barriers for them?

The school DD is in at the moment really encourages girls to think outside of traditional gender roles and I am concerned that going to a previously boys school, the girls will be cast into taking certain subjects and not encouraged as much in subjects traditionally considered “for boys.”

I would be really grateful for any thoughts on the above or experiences as I’m finding the decision very hard!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Sounds like she will go very far @ddsistersmum!

Definitely makes sense to have both girls in the same school if you can as well!

Thanks for your feedback @VeronicaVanHoopen! This is really reassuring to hear!

Hi,

My 3 daughters in Blackheath High Junior and Senior. They all joined in 7+. I must say that the education,, teachers, support is fantastic. My all

Hi,

My 3 daughters in Blackheath High Junior and Senior. They all joined in 7+. I must say that the education,, teachers, support are fantastic. My all Daughters are brigth and smart. Older one was head girl in seniors and younger one had a offer in City of London Girls and Eltham College last year. When they done 11+ they had more than 1 offers. Eltam college is yes academic but ı do not think it is because they do have better teachers or teaching methods or facilities. IT İS Because the school is from year3 so they sellects all bright kids from other schools. So academically they perform well in the exams but Blackheath or other independence schools which starts from age 3 can not make fully assesment to select kids because kids are so young. But some people was thinking “we pay till age 3 but my child is not so academic why?” - maybe its because genetic factors maybe lifestyle maybe parents etc... I have a friend which she has a son in Eltham College since juniors kid is smart, bright but they tried he coudnt get in to any top schools in Central London when he done 11+. I also love that Blackheath girls are like ladies - they are so nice, kind and polite. Also, it lovely that in seniors you can leave your daughter up to 6 pm to study with her friends library etc. Its more trustful environment (ı woudnt do that if it was coed) Definetely Blacheath High is perfect environment for girls.

My daughter is in Eltham College Senior, teachers are very supportive. We are happy with the outcome but to be honest stressful atmosphere. Too much competition between students. We couldn’t visit the school but applied as it is one of the best in South London. My daughter was really happy only girls school and she was so confident, relax and motivated. She used to have lots of friends, now she has only 1 and she keep telling me i missed our group games and chats. I hope she will be same later in Eltham College as well. Hard worker, smart kid will do great in everywhere (if they are in happy and supportive environment). I also believe personality also has also impact on it. Eltham college was boys only, recently became coed. Still great school but i think too much different environment for the children’s who were in only girls school. If you have son, go for it. If your daughter was in girls only school before, think about it!

@Shinestar83- sorry to hear that. Honestly, if she is not happy move her back to all girls. Life is too short and they are meant to have a nice time at school, especially if we are paying so much money. If she was in a GDST school and they have a place, I am sure they would welcome her back, assuming she is in Year 7 or Year 8 that is. Sixth Form is obviously harder.

@Adastraperaspera hi and thank you for the comment. Yes she is in year 8 now, she was in a GDST school. She is still doing well in her learnings but definitely she was happier in her previous GDST school. I never asked her if she wants to change the school because I know if she says yes I will do it straight away:// we moved to Mottingham area just because of the place in EC but of-course her happiness is more important. Which GDST school do you recommend in South East area please? We are new to the area, we moved last year. I searched all of them online but didn’t view - maybe I should this year to have an idea.

@Shinestar83- I think the closest GDST schools would be Bromley High and Blackheath High. I used to see the Bromley High school mini bus near Eltham all the time so journey might be straightforward.

But if you did move her, I would aim for start of Year 9 so you would need to decide before Easter holidays to give notice in time. If you are worried about it go and have a look asap and see what you think.
Movement in Year 7 and 8 from
private schools isn’t that uncommon.

@KSEmum @Adastraperaspera thank you so much.

Hi, @KSEmum *@KSEmum , I heard so much stories about Eltham College (from current parents and ex teachers). I have a little daughter and I will never consider that kind of school for her. If your daughter is happy where she is dont move her. I have studied Phd in Psychology and I do think it is massive change for a 7 years old girl who goes to “girls only school” to attend another school which is %90-95 boys. Maybe her classroom will be %50-%50 (which I don’t believe), but, what about the students in after school clubs, coach, lunch room, play area etc... Even in and out time to school %90-95 boys around her? Sorry, I am not trying to say boys will harm her, just think about how she will feel about it. Is she going to be confident enough? You said your child is academically doing well so that means the current school is good for her. Happy environment has vital role in success. Ratings, top schools doesnt means anything - its just means there will be more bright kids around her, thats all! (sometimes this even not advantage - its always good for kids to feel they are the best in the environment.. they feel unique and proud in that case and that increase their confident as well). I know you want the best for your daughter... but what is the best? Best ratings? NO. There is no best school. Best ratings school doesn’t mean best school. There is happy child and unhappy child, confident child and unconfident child. I have friends which their sons attends to the EC seniors, to be honest academically they are doing great, but, when I look at them I see thats not everything! A child who gets AAA** doesn’t even mean he/she will be successful in the future career. A school environment is so important, school is like our second home. I don’t know if you decide on this school but as a psychologist I felt like I had to make this comment.

Please check the link below.

amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/13/ex-pupils-who-compiled-sexual-abuse-dossier-accused-of-blocking-inquiry

Wish you all the the best and luck.

www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10425640.eltham-teacher-andrew-hillary-jailed-for-21-months-over-87000-child-porn-images/

Those news stories are shocking plus the school was in the Times recently for alleged grade inflation. However, I think the press have generally taken an anti private school stance recently.
What would put me off about this school is the blatant current careerist headmaster (marketing and grades above all else) and Mottingham itself. It isn’t the most happening or prettiest of places. My best memories of school are spending time locally after school with my friends and there is nothing much there near this school. If you want good grades above anything else tutor your kids and send them to the local grammar schools. Plenty in Kent nearby, Orpington and Bexley.

@workisnotawolf yes we moved to UK, Cutty Sark recently. I have 3 years old daughter while searching our 3+, 4+, 7+, 11+ options... I heard so much stories about this school. As you mentioned the school area also so important for me as well, especially if you a little girl.

@workisnotawolf just found this after reading your comment.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2022/02/06/private-schools-manipulated-exam-system-during-covid-to-inflate-grades-16056920/amp/

Wow really surprised about the links about Eltham College:O we dont gave many good private school options in Local already so please dont make me to move:)

Another interesting point about EC is that (having been publicly named and shamed for massively overinflating the TAGs to boost last years A level results) they haven't announced this year's A level results nearly a week after they were released....

This is in stark contrast to all other local independents and can only indicate a poor set of results which further shine the light on the grade fraud last year.

:/

@ChnandlerBong thats good point. I follow Eltham College on the instagram as well and they didn’t post like this student achieved that grade etc like other independent schools. Its weird, I really dont know the reason

@ChnandlerBong - well I think the PR machine at Dulwich College is more slick than at Eltham College. Makes sense - it is a bigger and more traditional school with much bigger funds backing it.
Straight from the Dulwich College website:
“We were delighted by the academic progress and results of our A-level and GCSE cohorts of pupils in 2020 and 2021, however, in line with a clear majority of other schools, we have decided not to publish statistics relating to their public examination results.”
Perhaps the head at Eltham has been told by the governors to tread more carefully this year with the press/announcements given the recent bad press etc. Dulwich were clearly smart enough to tread carefully in 2020 and 2021 year.

Conceptually, I do not see the difference between the rich top independent schools who did not publish their results openly in the last 2 years for fear of the press etc vs Eltham College taking its time this year.

@aposseadesse wow.

DC didn't publish them for the last couple of years you're right. Most indpendent schools (not just the "rich ones"!!) chose not to. DC never boasted openly about how fabulous the results were unlike EC where the 72% grade A* stat was repeatedly bandied around.

This year DC has been open as the grades were from open exams. It was 52% A*. This kind of prompt publication in a year of normal public exams is completely standard.

EC on the other hand have only said the results were "excellent" and "stunning" and Mr S has said he's "waiting for the final check before publishing". What does that even mean.

When Bromley High/Blackheath High/Colfes/St Dunstans/Alleyns have all published, surely even as a supportive parent you must think that EC's sudden bashfulness is odd?

The head has already tweeted that he can't wait to share the GCSE results - maybe those are looking better?

Trinity College, Croydon published this year promptly and for the last 2 years, aka 2020/2021. I can respect that. There isn’t any obvious grade inflation at first glance either, for that particular school.

We cannot criticise one independent school for grade inflation if in your words “most others” have been too cowardly to publish their results in the first place, for the last two years (aka 2020/2021). It isn’t going to tell us anything real about grade inflation in the independent sector, is it, if we cannot compare all the various schools, in a proper sense.

Hats off to Chis & Sid grammar school this year which has increased its A-level results from last year. PPs above may want to consider various state options, if Eltham no longer appeals. There are various good state schools in Bromley/Bexley/Dulwich etc.

@ChnandlerBong My friends daughter had offer from Eltham College and JAGS last year. They picked Eltham College because they didnt have chance to visit JAGS in open day because of her health problems and also Eltham College was closer to their house. They liked the results of the school and they dont find it pushy at all. They say school is ok overall but they find the head weird and cold and his decisions. Her daughter is doing ok bur not totally happy there. This year they visited JAGS to have an idea and she said they made the wrong decision. She has little son and prepering him to Dulwich College because they want to move her daughter to JAGS (if they can, they will try).

@aposseadesse you're really doing this are you?

I didn't say that EC was alone in publishing the 2020 and 2021 grades - but a large number of independents chose not to. They may all have been too cowardly. Who knows.

FWIW Trinity saw its A* rate sore to 87% last year and then drop to 79% this year. Massive grade deflation.

EC choosing not to publish this year when the vast majority of independent schools have is definitely cowardly. As a parent it would concern me. Comparing this year's A level grades is the most meaningful direct comparison since 2019.

@mrsdshe many were attracted by the exam results that EC achieved in 2017/18/19. Mr S has been v generous with scholarships to attract first bright boys and now bright girls.

Returning to what the thread was initially about, EC is not a fully coed school and it won't be for some years yet. Parents have to choose whether they want their daughter/son to be a pioneer in the change or whether they prefer a tried and tested single sex school elsewhere

@ChnandlerBong may I learn if you have a child in Eltham College?

@ChnandlerBong yes, I was told that some classes are still only %30 girls

@ChnandlerBong and great point before 2017 Eltham College wasnt know as that academic school. I think the head is so care about the results