Esher college for disorganised boy- opinions!

[Vinobianco]

DS is in grade 11 at london indie. He wants to go to Esher and has a place. He is very disorganised but school gives him lots of attention and help to keep him on track, needs constant nagging by me. He should pass 9 GCSEs with a mix of 5,6 and 7s He doesn’t know what he wants to do as a career yet. He’s thinking A levels in psychology, graphic communication and business studies My question is does anyone have positive experience of this being a great environment for a boy like this. He says he wants a new start and that makes sense but v worried he’ll fall behind and get kicked out! Any real life stories welcome. Thanks

I left teaching at Esher a few years ago to re-locate. There is an emphasis on independent learning and organisation but these are all skills that the tutors work very hard on with students. Also unlike other colleges the pastoral system is really good at supporting students. I think its a great college and one of the best I have worked at. Good luck with your decision its never an easy one!

I think if you are "mainstream" then there may be no or only few problems. What I am wary of is, that the transition of this College to Trust means that the Education Act no longer applies to them, so problems that cannot be sorted at classroom level go firstly to the Governors. Worryingly the articles of this Trust state (Para 6.3) that the Governors are indemnified against "reckless disregard" and "any rule of law" with respect of "any neglect, breech of trust or duty" which basically means the rules are thrown overboard (you would have to complain to DfE, whose powers are limited) and there will be no comeback for them if their e.g. Safeguarding or "special needs" are dysfunctional or insufficient. What is "disorganised"? If it is at a level that may be escalated above classroom, then you may prefer to think of a proper school, one where the Education Act affords you protection and a safety net. Hope that helps. Z.