St Paul's Cathedral School

[mummyof2boy]

Hi, I am wondering if there is any parents from SPCS here? With the principal Simon Larter-Evans moving on, who will be the replacement? Are you and your children happy with the school? My kid will be going to reception so how are the teachers like in the early years section of the school? We went for the school tour but still feel like I don't think I know enough yet...

In the past there has been a lot of movement on the waiting list. In my child’s year, very few children that weren’t siblings of existing students got first round offers. So you may still get an offer in February or even later next year.

Thanks so much for this insight, really good to know

Hi there, thank you to everyone on the thread for their comments - just wondered whether those with children currently there (1) have a sense of the current head’s direction and (2) recall when the deadline for agreeing a place was?

We have an offer, but the deadline is next week with a full term’s deposit required. I wondered whether this had always been the case?

As this is well before we will know about outcomes of second rounds for other schools which we will be doing in January, and is much earlier/ more expensive than the other offers we have (queen’s college, Charterhouse square) it makes the decision tricky. A friend in the same position as us is going to decline just because it is so early, so I’m just wondering whether there have been issues with the date before or whether it affects which pupils eventually join.

And any tips on how to choose gratefully appreciated!!! It feels like apples and oranges and it is hard to get a sense of what the schools are actually like.

thank you!!

Hi NLdnparent

Re Judith’s direction - I have the impression that she is still observing and waiting before making any changes. The SLT are good at what they do and I don’t think she plans to make changes unless she thinks they are needed.

From memory, I think the acceptance deadlines changed between my children. When my son was assessed, those who had an offer had over a month to accept - although this was still in January so was before the schools who offer just before the February half term.

When my daughter was offered a place, we had a fortnight (I think!).

I am going to have to caveat this by saying that my children are 12 and 10 so it is entirely possible that my memory is faulty. Someone with a younger child will probably come along and correct me.

Thank you so very much - it is incredibly helpful, and I’m so grateful to you for your time in responding.

Hey, that’s cool! If you do have specific questions about our experience at SPCS, feel free to PM me.

In case anyone comes back to this thread in future years, after originally going on the waiting list after the assessment, we were offered a place around Christmas. We have already accepted an offer at another school so we declined. So there is hope if you end up on the waiting list and it is your dream school

You’re absolutely right! Can’t thank you enough for your positivity, nudge and help. Our boy got a place at SPCS and we’re over the moon

Hi, we are considering SPCSs for our daughter. Could a current parent share any thoughts on the current Head, staff turnover and teaching quality? Has much changed since the new head? Has the opening of city of London junior changed the mix of children? Do you choose city junior vs. st paul Our friends had positive experience with her children, however underwriting a different head and she cannot share much insights

Hi @UmpyFamily my DS started in Reception 2024, he's now in Year 1. Its a wonderful school, teaching quality is fantastic [my DS is a summer born] and you just wouldn't eve see the difference. We haven't seen any staff turnover, infact we see longevity and a lovely well rounded family like school. Hope this helps. Please DM if you need more, happy to help.

SPCS: caveat emptor. Parents are me-first pushy and the cathedral itself feels curiously unspiritual. Buyers remorse here but didn’t know better at the time.

Hi, your post resonated and I wondered if you'd be open to sharing a bit more about your experience by DM.