Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Babbington House School

28 replies

OhnowhatwasIthinking · 07/03/2015 18:33

I went to look around Babbington House School today and was really impressed.
But I was really disappointed to discover the school had become selective. Despite excellent results when they weren't being selective. What is the theory behind this? Why become yet another selective paying grammar school?
I just couldn't understand why the new head had taken this new direction.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 08/03/2015 15:15

Bump x

OP posts:
SanityClause · 08/03/2015 15:20

I thought they were always selective? If you mean the one in Elmstead Wood?

PancakesAndMapleSyrup · 08/03/2015 15:28

No the one in elmsted woods was never selective, i went there and absoloutly loved my time there. But yes tis a shame it has now become selective but it is also apparently one of the more popular ones around too.

SanityClause · 08/03/2015 22:29

Probably why it's selective, then, if it's popular, they probably get more applicants than they have places.

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 09/03/2015 06:49

Im sad and now unsure as to where I can send my dd.

OP posts:
TwoOddSocks · 09/03/2015 07:01

I agree it's a shame, I guess it's just to improve results and the school's reputation. Even if my son becomes super academic I really want a non selective school for him. The idea of testing a 3-7 year old and putting them in an environment where everyone is expected to be academic is not appealing at all to me.

whatsagoodusername · 09/03/2015 07:16

We are going to send our DSs to St Olave's Prep in New Eltham. It seems like a lovely little school. Not selective.

Does only go to Y6. Last year's kids went onto a mix of the local comps, local grammars, and local privates - about 1/3 each.

ChalkyC · 09/03/2015 14:18

We are looking at farringtons junior sch in Chislehurst for our two - again I like that its not selective, has amazing grounds and good facilities and is co-ed - it may be because I have boys but Babington was pretty girl focused (and I think the senior school is all girls, yes?).

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 09/03/2015 21:26

I'm not sure about if it is staying girls only. I can't find a non selective secondary school now. Really not sure what to do.

OP posts:
FrozenAteMyDaughter · 10/03/2015 00:36

What about looking at the state primaries? They are very good in this area.

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 10/03/2015 16:05

Oh yes I know but it's secondary schools I am interested in x

OP posts:
FrozenAteMyDaughter · 10/03/2015 16:22

Oh right - fair enough. That is a toughie, independent-wise, apart from Farringdons or maybe Bishop Challoner in Shortlands. I don't think that is selective although I am not sure. it is Roman Catholic though.

State-wise, Bullers Wood has a very good reputation and is all girls at the moment, although they are getting a boys' school too I think.

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 10/03/2015 21:57

Thanks so much I will investigate Bishop Challoner. Apparently there is also a place in West Wickham x

OP posts:
BellMcEnd · 10/03/2015 22:00

Have you looked at Royal Russell?

HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch · 10/03/2015 22:05

It is over subscribed even for the pre school class. They have refused to offer a place there to not even 3 year olds as they can pick and choose.

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 11/03/2015 06:13

Might start my own school. X

OP posts:
ChalkyC · 11/03/2015 08:45

Have you looked at Farringtons?

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 12/03/2015 20:40

I have it's very nice. I think it is also selective sadly.

OP posts:
PancakesAndMapleSyrup · 13/03/2015 08:18

Dont go to royal russell ormbishop halloner for seconday but they have fantastic preps. Do you not want your child to sit a selective exam? Honestly it would be wprth it jist on case she got through?

HeleneCixous · 13/03/2015 14:46

Farringtons is not currently academically selective.

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 13/03/2015 20:43

She is dyslexic and unlikely to pass any exam of that nature. She is above average intelligence so has the potential to go far. The problem with selective schools is I think they have an ethos she wouldn't cope with.
Farringtons gave me the impression they were selective.
Why not Bish Challoner? Is it bad?
Why is this all SO hard... Ahhhh
Doesn't help that I am clueless of course.

OP posts:
Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 13/03/2015 20:43

Thank you for all the replies you are all SO very kind x

OP posts:
BellMcEnd · 14/03/2015 08:29

It's such a shame RR is so over subscribed as I know it has a very pastoral nature (my friend's daughter is dyslexic and as mild ADHD, she's probably going there for secondary, her parents were HUGELY impressed). Maybe give them a call? I wonder if posting on the local boards would help? Other than that, I think maybe you should just go and see as many as possible, have you looked at Sevenoaks schools? Best of luck Flowers

Original poster
OhnowhatwasIthinking · 15/03/2015 07:38

Thank you Belle
I will carry on looking and maybe a miracle will occur. xxx

OP posts:
pannetone · 16/03/2015 22:52

Don't know whereabouts you are looking but www.sackvilleschool.co.uk/ in Hildenborough, near Tonbridge definitely takes DC with dyslexia - they have an entrance 'assessment' but it is not a test as such.

Swipe left for the next trending thread