Reviews on Westonbirt School

Summerforever234 · 2024-06-23T21:31:13+00:00

Hello! Looking for reviews on Westonbirt school please from anyone whose children attend the school. Many thanks!

hyguhiJHBGYT7 · 23/06/2024 22:33

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stressedespresso · 23/06/2024 22:40

DN went there - DSis promptly moved her in Y9 as they got the impression that it was very much a school in the business of creating young ladies fit for a life of leisure and not much more. Extracurricularly it is fabulous but academics are poor and leavers destinations aren’t great either.

Onheretoomuch · 14/02/2025 03:09

stressedespresso · 23/06/2024 22:40

DN went there - DSis promptly moved her in Y9 as they got the impression that it was very much a school in the business of creating young ladies fit for a life of leisure and not much more. Extracurricularly it is fabulous but academics are poor and leavers destinations aren’t great either.

How long ago did your niece go there? They introduced boys over 5 years ago and is 50/50 all through now. It is an incredible school that has outstanding pastoral care. It has gone through huge change in recent years and is now real competition for other schools in the area. They won Independent of the Year in 2023. I can’t recommend it highly enough!!

Original poster

Summerforever234 · 18/02/2025 23:08

@Onheretoomuch good to know you’ve had a good experience. We are considering for my 2 children - 1 has SEN. Do you know/have any experience of how the school are with SEN? He is academic but stands out as he is a bit quirky and has unique interests. Really worried about him making friends/bullying.

OP posts:

mandj1234 · 29/03/2025 12:58

If you are worrying about bullying I can only say that from our experience the school has been incredible. Our child has "quirks" and there seems to be a reasonable amount of kids with various differences that are handled incredibly well at the school. I see no evidence of bullying and actually see the opposite from our experience. When the kids in question have a tough time remarkably the Alphas seem to protect them rather than bully them and the teachers ensure this with the culture. I would say the teachers are incredible and the school has created an inclusive non bullying environment....however the organisational level at the school, ie parking , pick up times, communications on class trips, book days...bascially anything to do with admin and organisation is shocking ! its infuriating how such a lovely place is organised so badly. My child needs this school and this is why we have stayed, but its a weekly if not daily issue of poor communication. I would say if you want well organised then this is not for you, but if you want a caring environment then its amazing...its just infuriating why it cant be both !

Onheretoomuch · 29/03/2025 14:47

mandj1234 · 29/03/2025 12:58

If you are worrying about bullying I can only say that from our experience the school has been incredible. Our child has "quirks" and there seems to be a reasonable amount of kids with various differences that are handled incredibly well at the school. I see no evidence of bullying and actually see the opposite from our experience. When the kids in question have a tough time remarkably the Alphas seem to protect them rather than bully them and the teachers ensure this with the culture. I would say the teachers are incredible and the school has created an inclusive non bullying environment....however the organisational level at the school, ie parking , pick up times, communications on class trips, book days...bascially anything to do with admin and organisation is shocking ! its infuriating how such a lovely place is organised so badly. My child needs this school and this is why we have stayed, but its a weekly if not daily issue of poor communication. I would say if you want well organised then this is not for you, but if you want a caring environment then its amazing...its just infuriating why it cant be both !

I totally disagree with this regarding communication at Westonbirt. We’ve never had any issues. I think some parents don’t bother reading the newsletters, bulletins and parent portal which are vital communications. The children are kept up to date with everything but don’t always keep their parents informed. I would 100% recommend Westonbirt for any child.

mandj1234 · 29/03/2025 16:32

I would 100% agree , westonbirt is great and you should send your child there. However I am definitely not the only person who has a huge issue with the organisation. Our avenues to information are a shockingly badly put together newsletter where you have to wade through the entire schools last week and next week to get anywhere close to what you need. The parent portal is not updated until it’s too late and unless you are on there 24 hours a day you would never know changes ! I suspect you are a mum who turns up 20 mins early for pickup and chat with other mums or is on various WhatsApp groups of other mums who somehow eek the information that is needed . I myself go the old fashioned way and expect a school where I pay a small fortune to communicate effectively and professionally without the need of parents having to share vital information. I hope this gets back to the school…. it needs to improve and I promise you this is becoming a growing issue with non WhatsApp parents.

Onheretoomuch · 30/03/2025 18:30

I have children in 2 different years and have genuinely not had problems with communication.