Grey Court - Richmond

[ManyMoons18]

Hi - We're looking to relocate to the Richmond / Ham area and are keen to get other parents' perspectives on Grey Court? On paper (and looking at the campus) it looks pretty great - but curious what other parents have experienced - esp. vs. other schools in the area (Orleans, TKA, etc.)

Any parents on here have a view on the quality of teaching, level of disruption in classes, communication to parents, and extra-curriculars (esp. sport & music) vs. other schools in the area?

I live in the area and know kids at GC and other local schools (mine is older now, but went to a school on other side of borough).
All the local schools are great, but depending on who you ask you will get good and bad comments because everyone has different expectations, their kids are in different classes, and have different teachers, and different friends. The "level of disruption" for one year group might be completely different to another due to a few difficult kids, or a couple of new teachers who need support on discipline. Teachers come and go all the time, and a good school will support or (if support doesn't work) will manage out struggling teachers. So random parent opinion is never a good measure. You said it "looks pretty great" on the website - well that is the same shop window that prospective teachers will use. Good schools with good Headteachers attract good staff, which helps them stay good. So, try and visit to see how it feels, maybe stand outside and watch the kids come and go. But ultimately, move into a house you can afford in an area you like, apply, and see what you get, because you can't go wrong in Richmond Borough (except there is pressure on places in some parts, like Kew).

Also, you can use this website to look at various different aspects of schools and compare them: www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables

This link might help you too: teddington.nub.news/news/local-news/results-how-boroughs-schools-performed-in-2022-gcse-and-a-level-exams-156408
Grey Court and Orleans Park are pretty similar on progress measure. TKA isn't listed as its over the border in Kingston, but from what I remember its progress is higher than both - you can check it on that other website I linked to in my previous post.

My DC has been at Grey Court for a few years and is really happy there. The extra-curricular sports provision is amazing for both girls and boys- my DC (who loves sport) has represented the school at athletics, cross-country, cricket, rounders, netball, football and basketball. DC is academic (predicted all 8s/9s)and has been encouraged throughout to reach their potential so I have no concerns about the quality of the teaching. DC has a great group of friends and I believe that Grey Court's approach to setting means students get to know so many people across their year group. However, no school is perfect for everyone and I have a friend whose DC (same age/year group as mine) has struggled at the school - mainly because they never quite found a good group of friends and they found the fairly stringent approach to discipline hard to cope with.

Grey Court, Orleans, and Christs easily the best State school in Richmond borough - but like all good schools difficult to get into.

Thanks all for the great advice! I really appreciate the awesome community here at mumsnet.