Esher college- any opinions please?

[Surreymummy78]

Hi, going to the open eve in July with my y10 daughter. She's considering sciences/ maths. Any opinions from current Esher College parents much appreciated.

@Southlondoner109

That's great news!

Your DD will love it. DS in second year now and has really enjoyed his time so far.

South - that's great news! My DD cant wait to start!

@Localher0 @OnGoldenpond
We are going to a parents event this Thur but our daughter isn’t invited. I’m glad she’s in but it’s a bit weird being accepted for a college you haven’t even visited

We've visited twice! Once for my DS (who didn't end up there) and then from DD as she wants a completely different set of A levels. Each time we've been very impressed by the staff, students we've spoken to and the facilities. You'll hopefully be similarly impressed on Thursday. Your DD will maybe get an interview about her subjects and then go to an intro day in June. My DS really enjoyed the intro day when he went.

Did anyone go to the parents information evening tonight. I was very impressed with the general atmosphere, the students and the ‘adult education’ with a strong emphasis on the whole student.

Yes we went. Although I didn't learn anything really new it was good to have a refresh and the student panel were really helpful. DD really looking forward to going there.

I really would not recommend Esher College unfortunately. Unless your child is a grade A student who is able to sail through their a-levels with no additional support, then this is not the place. Pastoral care is terrible!! Counsellors are nice enough, but the actual support they are able to offer is minimal to none. College offers no leniency whatsoever when a child is experiencing mental health difficulties. My daughter went from 5 A*s at GCSE to Ds and Es at end of first year (resulting in her eventually having to drop out), all because the college were unwilling to support her with something as common as anxiety. Despite being presented with a doctors note recommending that her a-level examinations were deferred for a year (giving her a chance to work on her mental health), the college refused to offer my daughter a place for the following year. It seems the college saw her as a liability to their results, and would rather just get rid!!