long close school slough...opinions for white child

[newlifebegins]

hi. my dh changed the job so live nearby...very multicultural area...how would my daughter ( white) would fit in please? how is the school.in general?

Really?

Really?

It's a big risk. Best case scenario: your dd would thrive because she's white, leaving all those multicultural types in her wake. Or worst case scenario: they would drag her down to their level and she might end up befriending them. Nightmare!

Oh, come on guys. Don't be so horrible.

It's very daunting being the only white child in your class. As is being the only black or Asian child in the class.

I don't know that school, but I would think it's certainly possible your DC will be the only white child - which may well have social implications.

It's very hard to get an honest answer to a question like this. An answer to whether or not your child will be accidentally or deliberately excluded socially because the other mums know each other outside of school and they don't know you.

Agree with Naïve. If she has moved from an almost exclusively white area, it is reasonable of her to ask this.

From what I've read on here, one thing to check is the range of cultures in the school. So whether the school is predominantly Hindu Indian, or is a mix of Hindu Indian, Muslim Pakistani, Polish etc. A range is more likely to be better integrated than 1 major ethnic or religious group. Especially if there may be language or strong cultural barriers (e.g. girls who are discouraged to socialise outside their culture).

Ofsted report says The education provided is founded on broadly Christian principles but most pupils are of other faiths. A large majority of pupils are from Asian backgrounds, with a few of African, Caribbean or White British heritage.

I presume it is significant that 'White British' is the last group it mentions - ie it's the smallest group in the school.

The fact that it is a Cognita school would worry me as much as anything.

Why not book an appointment for a tour and see how you feel about it. Also maybe visit Eton End and Dair House for comparison.

My dd was the only non white child when she started school and it was hard for her. It's not just that you look different, it's the lack of shared culture.

Educationally it would no doubt be totally fine. However the social aspects outside school is where there would possibly be big differences. Our school is massively mixed but not one huge majority. We have 30 odd nationalities. There are certain afterschool clubs that are however almost all white etc Non of the Asian girls at ours play footy for example. Only about three out of 40 children who do gym are none white. There seem to be less weekend get togethers etc I have a friend whose DC is one of only 3 white children out of 60. Brilliant school but never the same play dates and parties out of school. I have no idea why. Just an observation. Others can no doubt explain it !

A school with no white children is not necessarily multicultural. I think it's fair to look at the ethnic mix of the children. I would not want my child in a school which was 99% 1 nationality. I know many black/Asian people who want a healthy mix as well.

Reallytired I also have Asian friends who feel the same. One Muslim mum I know rejected a very local oversubscribed outstanding school as it was 95 percent Muslim and sent her DC private. She was adamant she wanted a mixed faith education

Long Close is not one I would recommend purely because it is your tp Cognita school (money hungary, see it more as a business). Also being very much a school full of multicultural children/parents it is very competitive academically. As mostly if not all children have regular 1-2-1 tution after school. St Benard prep is a good school also if your willing to travel eton end is in Datchet. I have removed my child from Long Close so do have first hand experience :)

My children are at long Close and they are very happy. They are white, but I do not feel this is a problem, schools reflect the community we live in and Slough is diverse. My children do not have any extra tuition and I do not feel under pressure to subscribe to this way of thinking due to academic competition. The school has a family atmosphere and is somewhere where they will grow up feeling happy and achieve a good education.