Small Class Sizes in Senior School

[Estan]

I am looking for a small mainstream or academically selective (not super selective or hugely competitive atmosphere) senior school. Considering state and private. Ideally, a school which is strong on science (include triple science and outer science) and maths. I'm currently thinking about Turing House, Halliford, St. James, and Radnor House.

Do you have any views on the above? I am particularly interested in class sizes, and a description of the general atmosphere (e.g. sporty, nerdy, pressurised, calm and lovely, etc.)

Do you have any suggestions of other schools I might like to consider?

Turing won't have smaller class sizes than any other academy.

I think Turing has a class size of 25, other schools (including academies) are 30.

Hi there, we are considering these schools also. If anyone has any insight into how they are handling online provision we'd be very grateful. Thank you.

@Goldi101 have you looked at their websites? A lot of schools seem to be publishing that information upfront for prospective parents.

Turing House used to have a smaller class size, but the current admissions policy states states 150 for year 7, which I believe is 5 form entry, 30 children per form. So not much different from Waldegrave, Orleans Park, Teddington, Grey Court, etc.

No, it's 6 classes of 25. That's the form groups. They do some classes in their form groups and are put in sets for some subjects. The sets average out at 25 but I think they try to keep the lower sets a little smaller. They don't vary much though because the classrooms are sized for 25 (I did ask, and it's the same in the new building too, so it's not changing).

Thank you, I will have a look at their websites.

Turing doesn't allow you to choose triple science. You have to be selected for it. That's a shame. It seems potentially very restrictive for a child's future options.

Does anyone have a view of the Computer Science GCSE offering at Turing?

@TheStenchofTruth

Turing doesn't allow you to choose triple science. You have to be selected for it. That's a shame. It seems potentially very restrictive for a child's future options.

Does anyone have a view of the Computer Science GCSE offering at Turing?

No, it's the other way round. At Turing everyone starts off in year 10 doing all three sciences and they only drop to Combined Science (2 gcse's) if they're not coping.

The computer science teacher is very good. My son likes her and has chosen it as an option. They offer it at GCSE and A Level.

Also, Combined Science still covers all 3 sciences, but just to a little less depth than Triple Science, so it doesn't restrict future options.

@teamstruant Interesting. I spoke to someone from the SEN department recently. I specifically asked if they can take the triple science and computer science at GCSE. She said you are chosen for triple science, and it's not an option you can choose. He can take computer science. My DC is way ahead of his years in all things computing / IT so my interest there is ensuring he gets a Computing teacher who knows more than he does. Triple science is important because not taking it can absolutely limit your options at A level and at University. English and subjects with a heavy writing content are not our bag. There are obviously some writing subjects (e.g. English) he will have to take. But we want to focus on science / IT / Computing. He wants to go to Tiffin. I think we will apply, but he cannot take triple science and computer science at GCSE at Tiffin School. So that's a Bir of a problem.

If anyone can tell me more about the computing department at Turing I'd really appreciate any/all advice.

I spoke to someone from the SEN department recently.

It sounds like crossed wires - different viewpoints of the s

You might be right. I asked for a call with the SENCO and I got one with a SEN TA. I asked her to follow up with a few things. None of which she actually delivered. I asked to be put in touch with the head of Computing and she said she could ask a question on my behalf but didn't hear back. I think what I really need is direct communication with right person. Or a real live face to face visit to the school. But that seems unlikely. Bloody Coronavirus... sigh...

Posted too soon ...
It sounds like crossed wires or different viewpoints of the same thing. I suppose if the SEN staff are dealing with the full ability range it might look like a mixed picture whereas most of the families I know at the school have kids who are aiming for 5/6+ at GCSE and I haven't heard of any complaints about their science options. Maybe you could contact the Head of Science to ask what their criteria or threshold is for triple sci, but it sounds like your son will be fine if he's bright and enjoys science and gets good grades. Are you applying for year 7 this Sept?

I think all schools struggle to get strong Computer Sci teachers because there aren't many of them around - there are too many other career options for them. I heard Dr Frost has started doing it at Tiffin. He's really popular so if they let the boys combine it with Triple Sci there would be way too much demand.

The Turing teacher is good. She came from a bigger school where she'd been for a long time. I think there was some turnover before she arrived (I've noticed weaker teachers don't stay long generally - the school seems good at managing that side of things). I saw they were advertising recently to expand the Computer Sci department, but don't know if they managed to get anyone.

If your son is really into computing outside of school you might just need to view school computer science lessons as a means to an end. If he goes in with an "I know more than you" attitude it obviously won't help the relationship . A good teacher will channel the enthusiasm, focus it on covering the curriculum and passing the exam and help the really enthusiastic kids find appropriate extra-curricular stuff. But for CS there's so much out there that I wouldn't be worried. Dr Frost is putting all his Tiffin lesson resources online, and there are loads of coding resources. He could probably even do the GCSE in his own time if he was very keen.

I think what I really need is direct communication with right person.
If you look at the menu options on the website there is a staff list and a form for contacting teachers, but I think the messages all do go via the office who might filter them. Teachers are really snowed under at the moment (and always) so you may need to ration your questions and be understanding if you don't get replies. Also they would only be able to answer for now and things might change by the time your son gets to his gcse's. Good luck!

I think my email got filtered in the office. Dr. Frost is brilliant. But he doesn't teach Computer Science on the side. That would be a totally unrealistic expectation of a teacher in any state school. It's interesting, when my eldest was applying to senior school I contacted one of them with a question. They wrote me back with a thoughtful and thorough response within the hour. I was so impressed and knew that the school-parent communication was great. She went to that school, and indeed is was a great school. I was hoping for the same level of engagement from Turing staff. But, it's not really happening. Shame.

Tiffin definitely doesn't allow anyone to take the triple science and computer science for GCSE. Perhaps I should be thinking more about the clubs/ extra curricular opportunities of a school. That's a really good point so thanks for mentioning it.

Dr. Frost is brilliant. But he doesn't teach Computer Science on the side.

He does, since 2019... twitter.com/DrFrostMaths/status/1151820423979511808?s=19

Also, see his resources on his website: www.drfrostmaths.com/cshome.php

I certainly think some teachers are better at replying to emails than others. I don't email school very often. When I do I usually get a reply quite quickly, but it depends who it is.

BTW, did you just email yesterday? You do know schools are closed at the weekend, don't you?

@TeamsTruant

BTW, did you just email yesterday? You do know schools are closed at the weekend, don't you?

No. And yes.