Does anyone how knowledge of Stockport Grammar Junior, Cheadle Hulme School Junior or Ladybarn House schools

[pinkjello]

We are about to attend open days for these three schools. I know Ladybarn is a prep and the other two go up to 18 but wondered if there was any main differences.
Can anyone tell me about their local reputations. Are they all equally difficult to get into? Is one clearly better that the other two? Would the parents be similar at all three? Are they all as academic as each other? How do their facilities compare?

Sorry for all the questions and thank you for reading.
PJ

Ok, quick post then off to bed. I will discuss various merits tomorrow if anyone is still interested.

Loved CHS! Absolutely loved it. It seemed so vibrant. Kids seemed enthusiastic, staff took an interest in (my) kids. Liked the facilities, the ethos, the whole thing really. Problem is this one seems to be the most popular.

I didn't like LBH at all. Very pushy and proud of it. Kept telling me how many of last yrs Y6s got into such and such. They even had a sheet with which child had which offers pinned to the wall! Also seemed to lack balance between boys and girls. Even DD1 noticed in one class how few girls there were. It was in every essence a 'prep' school. Parents who use it seem to love it. We encountered 2 parents helping with costume making who were practically falling over themselves to tell me how wonderful it is. Each to their own I guess!

I can't really make up my mind about SGS. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything if that makes sense. The kids seemed happy and the staff were lovely but I just didn't warm to it. Great facilities too but I could see that drop off/pick up times must be a nightmare. I don't know, maybe I need to go back and see this one again.

Open days over the next few weeks so I'll go to those but these are my first impressions anyway.

Hi PB1! Great that parents evening went so well. Well done your DD! Is parents evening scary? By the time I get to DC3, I'm sure I'll be use to them!

Great you found one you really liked! What did your DC's think?

LBHS is pushy, I thought, even though my brother loved it (mind you he was so fed up at previous school, he'd have loved anywhere!). I know there's nothing wrong with being stretched, but just being pushed for the entrance exams doesn't seem right to me.

I thought it was big too. But if you're looking at SGS and CHS you might not have felt that? My junior school was much smaller so that's probably why.

Are you going to look at any of the smaller schools? Or is it definitely between CHS and SGS now?

I work with children in an area near to some of the schools. And the head of my daughter's school used to be head at one of them and since he arrived there have been lots of changes.

I do have a friend who teaches at one of them but only as a visiting speech/drama teacher.

I am also a musician and so is my daughter.

Elphabadefiresgravity, my post sounded accusatory and I didn't mean it that way at all. I just didn't want to waffle on and in the process really offend someone. Btw, music is one of the reasons we are opting for the independent sector.

Scatterchasse, thank you, I was so worried that I'd visit and come away feeling underwhelmed. I am probably being a little hard on LBHS. They are very good at what they do and if the ultimate goal is to send your child to MGS or WGS then it's probably the best option. I didn't find it too big but it does come across as bigger than either CHS or SGS because, despite being on the bigger site, their junior schools are fairly small and self-contained.

Part of the reason why we've discounted the smaller schools was lack of facilities. I know Ramilies because my kids are at nursery there and we visited Greenbank when looking at nurseries. Greenbank seemed really nice esp the atmosphere but I just found it difficult to justify the fees in comparison to the facilities offered by the others.

DH and I have agreed to go back to the open days with on open mind esp with regards SGS. But, tbh, I think I'm already sold. The assessments are January so we need to decide which to put her in for.

Hi PJ, parents evenings aren't too bad honest! At least they're not at dd's current school. At her last school, the yr 1 teacher used to shout at me from the classroom window about how badly dd was doing! (no kidding). After that, we moved dd to her current school. I honestly thought we'd have difficulties this year, as there's no TA in class anymore and dd has always struggled. Maybe dd is just a late starter!

Parents evening at SGS is scary - they tell you the truth I thought I wanted to be told the "warts an' all" truth but man, they could have softened it a bit

SGS - make no mistake about that pick up/drop off thought you had, Pink - it's vile! Worth it because it's a great school but still vile!

Elpha - your friend who teaches speech/drama wouldn't happen to be a man would it? Perhaps someone who's worked with loads of actors in the TV industry? If it's him, my son had private elocution lessons with him and he sorted his speech disorder out a treat - the guy's as mad as a box of frogs though - DS loved him

Doodlez, that does sound scary. I'm not sure I'm ready for 'warts and all' with DD1! I think she needs taming!

I think I need to see SGS again. I certainly didn't dislike it and obviously you recommend it and many parents seem very happy with it. One of the Reception classrooms seemed very nice, very spacious. I think it was because it all semmed very quiet, very calm. I know that's a good thing in many ways but it contrasted sharply with what I saw at CHS which was very noisy and bustling. I sound mad, I know.

Can't speak highly enough of CHS secondary school (DS went to state primary). I went round it about 5 times, DS twice and every single time we both just had a really strong gut feeling that it was the right place.

DS is very academic and got a place at MGS but it just isn't the school for us. DS is very sunny, outgoing, not at all "nerdy" and the atmosphere and organisation at CHS are second to none. As are the extra-curriclar opportunities, which are pushed very hard.

The kids need to be bright and prepared to work hard and they will be pushed, but not excessively so. The new head has made it clear that she has no intention of making it any more narrowly selective, but she will push the ones she has as hard as she can!

No, its not a man its a woman.

Part of my curiosity is that we have a phrase in our house "it wouldn't have happened at head's ex school" when yet another change is introduced that some paretns arn't happy about.

Thanks, Acanthus. Good to hear that about the secondary school. At the open day, I've booked for a tour of the senior school too as I'm very interested in whether I sense the same vibrant atmosphere. DH was very interested in the new HT as he's a cricket fanatic. I hope she doesn't change the atmosphere or ethos too much.

Maybe it was just a good day but it certainly worked on me. Though, like you, I should visit at least once more. Then I can safely drive myself nutty over the 4+ assessment. Will make a second appointment to view SGS on a weekday as I'm not sure the Saturday morning open day will help me gauge how I feel.

Is anyone going to alderley school and kings open days or have they already been? Chs sounds great! Although have heard a lot of good on sgs

Hi, ohnoimlate! Kings is probably a bit too far from me when the others are up the road.

You should go though as it may offer you the best of both worlds-benefit of co-ed but single-sex for lessons until 6th form.

OK...

they have that list up at LBHS and not the other schools because...

at the other schools they all stay put!! (or if they don't then they don't tell you)

Anyway, hope you find the school you're looking for.

Noteventhebestdrummer, I realise that. I was shocked that they had a list for all to see showing how some kids had offers at WGS, MHSG. CHS, SGS etc whilst another kid had just one school beside his name; Hulme Hall. I just don't like the idea of making so public to all and sundry (ie me) the attainment of individual pupils by name.

I wondered how those with just one offer at secondary school must have felt seeing that list every day. (though granted, the list was last years Y6s but I got the impression it had been up since results in the spring)

I guess everyone is looking for a different thing. My eldest, DD1, is extremely bright. I just don't want her in an environment where that's the be all and end all. If you were to tell me now that she'd come out with exactly the same Alevels at state school, I'd still pay because I'm paying for her/their enjoyment ( I hope)

No criticism of anyone else's choice. I guess that's why all the schools around here finds their own niche because there's enough of them that one school does not need to be all things to all men. I'm sure LBHS is a brilliant school for some, it's just not for me.

Should just add that I'm genuinely sorry if I've offended you. I came on not really knowing much about any of the three. Lots of people gave advice and asked me to come back on and say what I thought, which I have done.

I'm quite sure lots of people would dislike CHS-At least I hope so otherwise she might not get a place!

I went to SGS

Total waste of money, turns you into a snob which if you are lucky you lose by aged 30.

The state schools in Bramhall give a better education imo because they do the academic stuff brilliantly without breeding the superior attitude.

I do see what you are saying.

I am not sure that the parents of the kid with the Hulme Hall offer would agree with you though! It's clear to experienced teachers long before the entrance exams which schools the kids are likely to get offers for and places like LBHS will give good advice about where your child is likely to get a place and where taking an exam is likely to be a miserable experience resulting in no offer.

So the parents of the kids who are not academically strong know about it from LBHS and in many cases move them earlier in their school lives to other less academic places.

If they choose to leave them there for all the good reasons of breadth and enjoyment that you mention then the certainty of still being able to move to the most appropriate school at 11 is reassuring and means the child gets to stay put.

Do you think the kids are unaware of each others academic strengths and weaknesses? But yes, maybe it would be more tactful for that list to be more anonymous...

Yes, I do understand what you are saying and all credit to them that they take the time to guide pupils towards the school that's best for them.

It's just that kids can be cruel and considering I keep hearing howw HH doesn't reach the dizzy heights of some others and none of my children are yet at school, I thought it left those children open to unnecessary teasing. But maybe not.

Certainly, HH seems to have an excellent reputation for catering to children who are not suited to a pushy academic education. And if it was my child, I would indead be grateful to have been steered in the right direction. But I would absolutely object to such a list being available to the public.

Look, I've only visited each school once. But I have to go with my gut instinct. Also, I haven't deduced the pushiness Poirot style; LBH seemed very open about the fact that they push for high results mentioning to me that they concentrate very much on 11+ prep in Y5&Y6. Lots of parents will want that and, of course, lots of kids will thrive on it, but it's just not for me.

Again, sorry if I have offended you. I'm simply in the middle of making a huge decision and don't want to make a mistake.

Of course, wherever they go, I hope their grammar is better than mine! Random punctuation and bad sentences abound!

Glad you had a positive experience :)

You know what you are looking for and what you want from a school, obviously LBH wasn't for you.

PB1 I think you must live near me, I am right on the edge of the PHS catchment and my DCs will have that as their first choice high school.

I'm much harder to offend than that!

I think kids are very aware of each others abilities from an early age and good schools will work hard on nurturing appreciation between them - for example, lots of credit given for team work (not just in sports or music) and nuturing of the smaller kids in school, as well as noticing individual gifts and talents...

At some point down the line most schools also publicise their GCSE and A level results so those at least are in the 'public' arena. Maybe 11 IS too young for this, maybe not.

(Heard the Head at MGS give a welcome talk once which opened 'This is a GREAT school. There are MANY great schools in Manchester. We hope you find the one that's right for YOU.' I think that was good!)

Have also sent you a PM, PJ (or at least I think I have!!)

Thanks, noteven...
I've replied.

LadyBlaBlah

Do you think the school breeds the superior attitude or does it come from the pupils/parents? I ask because I went to a great grammar over in Altrincham but we were told (frequently) that we were in the top 10% and therefore we should be this,, do that, behave like the other, expect x y z for ourselves.....in other words, kinda school generated. I mixed with some seriously wealthy children as well as some regular students like myself but I didn't pick up a superior vibe from my class-mates.

Stocky Grammar senior might be different though - if you think the superior waves are coming from the kids and their parents, I think that might cause damage in terms of sending out 18 year olds with their heads up their arses. Can't happen to my two because me and DH and all our families are too down to earth but I hate the thought of them having to deal with snot-noses if they do go to the senior school!