Richmond Borough Schools Chat 8

[muminlondon2]

This thread follows on from Richmond Borough Schools Chat 7.

News and opinions on all the changes to schools in Richmond borough.

Those Orleans Park results look like last year's to me as no mention of the new grading structure, only A* - C etc. It would help if it was dated.

Hampton Boys doesn't mention the new gradings either but there's is definitely 2017 so maybe I'm wrong about Orleans Pk.

I just read on BBC that only 2000 kids in country got 9s in all 3 possible subjects - maths, eng, eng lit. I haven't seen any local schools shouting about that, not even LEH, so I guess there's none here.

It looks like I'm wrong about that too because the RTT article says an RPA student got 3 grade 9s. They put it right at the end so obvs didn't recognise it as significant.

@Jellytoto:

the Orleans park website does mention the new grades:

"Our 5 A*-C including English and Maths (4+) are the best the school has ever achieved at 78%.

The students have attained a significant number of top grades (9 to 7) in English (40%) and Maths (30%). In addition, 80% of all students gained good passes in English and Maths. Records were broken in all areas with a third of all grades being A/A or 9 to 7 with 20 students achieving straight A/A or 9 to 7. "

www.orleanspark.richmond.sch.uk/gcse-reults-2017/811031.html

Statement from richmond borough with all results here: www.richmond.gov.uk/council/news/press_office/older_news/august_2017/richmond_celebrates_gcses

I know one can't read too much into one year, but anyone know why Christs' results in the main table seem to have moved backwards, slipping behind most of the others? Due to choose secondaries soon...

The admissions broacher has been published and as suspected neither Teddington, Orleans or Waldegrave are holding open evenings. The only way to see the school is to book time off work and visit in the day. Waldegrave are saying that their slots are limited so there is no guarantee that you can get to see the school that way either! What on earth are working parents supposed to do? There's no explanation as to why. Budgets? Complacency?

I don't think it's either budgets or complacency - most good schools, with confidence in their day to day running, invite parents in with a 'warts and all' approach. You will never get the atmosphere of the real school by attending a presentation in the evening when all the kids have gone home. I know Teddington, and possibly the other two you mention, insists that no room is off-limits, as its philosophy is one based on getting the right school 'fit' for the child, and whilst results are obviously important, a parent should know instinctively whether a school is right for their child when seeing it in action. This simply cannot be recreated on a PowerPoint.
I can completely understand why a working parent, such as you and I, may feel it would be easier to do in the evening, but speaking from experience there is no substitute for seeing during the day.

That's interesting as they have always had an open evening in previous years and if you want to look at several schools it's obviously a lot more convenient to go round in the evenings and then maybe narrow it down to one or two to look at in the daytime. Also the open evenings are as much for the kids who will be at school during the day as for the parents. Have they explained why the sudden change of policy?

Maybe it's safety/security for the larger events - easier to register everyone for the open mornings, keep the numbers down, show the school how it really is, etc. It can't be a coincidence that the three most popular schools all have this policy - makes a lot of sense. Pupils who do have a chance of getting into the school can still take time off from Y6 for a visit - that's what I was told at the time.

Also, there seem to be a lot of information evenings for parents of existing pupils to explain exam and curriculum changes and that is more important in my view.

There's no explanation in the brochure or on the websites. I think it's a real shame. I agree that a day visit is essential when picking a school but the evening sessions give a chance to view the school at your own pace, spend more time visiting the subject areas your child is interested in and have a chat with teachers. Maybe the day-tours they have planned will be more interactive than those I've been on in the past and will offer parents the same opportunities they get in an evening session. I'll find out soon enough I guess!

Evening Standard article reports a sharp drop in primary school applications, suggesting an exodus by EU citizens since the referendum (maybe dual nationals too). Figures for Richmond might support this - see 2017 home applications.

I know evening visits are nice because you don't need to take dc out of school or take time of work but they are largely a show. The most useful part is being taken around by a pupil and asking them questions. I have now been to many evening open days and they all seem to put on the same science show which makes science look exciting. Same demo Tiffin, Orleans and Twickenham Academy! The next day the pupils get to go in late because the teachers had to work in the evening. Presenting logistic problems to the parents of current pupils.
Much better to go on the day time visits and see the school in action. Still have a tour led by a pupil to get the inside story. It gives the prospective pupil a much more realistic view.
One argument is you can visit lots of schools in evening visits but realistically most people only really have a choice of one or two schools. Unless of course you have a dry clever catholic girl and live in central Twickenham

Teddington's waiting list for this year has reached the end of the list (ie was offered a place), OP's offers are now almost at 3k from school. seems like vast majority are getting their first choice school

RTT Online has: The Richmond upon Thames School opens in Twickenham near Egerton Road welcoming 140 new pupils www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15542048.New_school_opens_in_Twickenham_welcoming_140_new_pupils/?ref=eb.

Hi, does anyone know why Collis and Stanley in Teddington are both taking 120 rather than 90 for Reception in 2018? It seems unlikely to me that there is a need for 60 fewer primary places. I would have thought a drop means there will be a huge percentage of sibling places too. We're north of the high street and really worried, particularly as the St Mary's and St Peter's intake can be very small for non-faith places...

Sorry - taking 90 and not 120 this year, so decreasing their intake!!

I should have read that through first..

Stanley was unable to fill all there places so dropped to 90 .
Sacred heart and Hampton wick also places not filled .
This due to brexit , affordability of accommodation and people going private if they don't get their first choice .
So make sure you use all your option on CAF form .

This was for 2017 admissions and they predict same pattern next year

Does anyone know how far out St James went for nearby baptised non-siblings?

On Collis class sizes - it is still officially 3 form entry though some years it goes 4 form (both my children were in bulge years there). But it can't happen every year, not until the school goes permanently 4 form entry and it must do building work first.

On Teddington open evening - last year's was a bunfight, with just vast numbers of people milling around. Maybe they decided it was just too much. Though they could limit it to only the families of Y6 children - quite a lot of Y5s there last year.

Teddington has a new head as Mr Wilkinson is promoted to CEO of the Richmond West Schools Trust. Kathy Pacey is now head, she started at Teddington as Senior Deputy Headteacher just last month and was previously Associate Headteacher at Hampton High.

I went to the Teddington open morning today, very well done but as suspected it was impossible to talk to any teachers as they were teaching.

the Tedd school website was updated with new HT's message:

www.teddingtonschool.org/Headteachers-Welcome

still no word about the new temporary site for Turing House next year. Rumours are spreading that they will be taught in portacabins, possibly at Stanley school. anyone know anything about this?

I doubt that would be the case, the open evening is tonight, so I imagine far more news then, I'm also a current parent, and that rumour hasn't got to me. I did hear that a new temp site has been secured, I do think it will be a "proper" place as opposed to a portacabin though. I'm sure we will all know more very soon.