Ibstock / Thomas's Fulham / Roche

[throwaway374]

Hi Everyone,

The schools in consideration are Ibstock, Roche and Thomas's Fulham. Our DC has been offered a 7+ place in one of the schools and awaiting results from the other two.

Commute wise, they are all more or less the same, so that isn't a factor. Our child is bright and very social. Not quite sporty but, at this age, I suppose these things may change.

Would any current or prospective parents for these schools have any feedback? Much appreciated!

I'd choose Ibstock if you want the secondary, otherwise whichever of Roche/Thomas's is walkable or easy to reach on a bus.
Roche and Thomas's are quite different though- do you have a gut feel?

In terms of gut feel, Thomas’s was better as mainly the facilities were far superior than Roche but worry it may not be academically challenging. He’s already at a school now that has a wonderful environment but is not very challenged academically, so trying to avoid that.
Could you elaborate on how they are different? and also why you wouldn’t consider Ibstock for prep? Thanks so much.

It’s not that I wouldn’t consider Ibstock as a prep it’s just its a pain to get to and the benefit of going there would be to avoid the 11 plus. I’m not sure they’d prepare for the 11plus should you want to leave.
I haven’t had DCs at Thomas’ or The Roche but friends have. Both send children to a wide variety of secondary schools so I don’t think you need to worry about academics. I think Roche is smaller, possibly more nurturing - Thomas’ is more corporate. All families I know happy with their choice. Can you walk to any?

Just curious, how have you come to this shortlist vs other schools in the vicinity? E.g. Fulham Prep, Prospect House, Hurlingham

@Mustbemagic

Just curious, how have you come to this shortlist vs other schools in the vicinity? E.g. Fulham Prep, Prospect House, Hurlingham

Mainly by availability. Though, we've since now also started to consider Prospect House.

Depends what you want for long term, eg ibstock gives you the comfort to go to 18, isn’t Thomas’s focused on 13 plus? Don’t the guys from Fulham transfer to Clapham? Thomas is a nice nurturing school but there are more academic schools for sure. PHS is a relaxed school but has a very strong 11 plus leavers list.

We decided to drop Ibstock out of the mix. So we're left with Thomas's Fulham, Roche and PHS.

Thomas's is the most expensive, has the best facilities and very nice building, but not too sure academically.

Roche is the closest, cheapest (by 40%!), has the least facilities and very small building, the leaver's list is similar to Thomas's, nothing extraordinary. Has some mixed feedback on Mumsnet.

PHS is the same distance as Thomas's, fees are in-between, has a pretty extraordinary leavers list. Haven't visited yet...

Need to decide by next week! Any additional information would be much appreciated. Would also love to chat with any current parents in the schools or anyone considering them. Thanks!

We decided on Thomas's Fulham. Feel free to message me if anyone would like to know more about how we decided. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

@TheLionTheWitchandTheWardrobe

Roche always has spaces in the “top” sets but I would avoid for a bright boy, who is already bored - it will be the same/worse. Look at Newton Prep, which is selective. It is more expensive but you get a normal school with space, actual facilities and learning for bright kids plus text books rather than Twinkle printouts and a fair environment! I would go anywhere but the Roche for challenge for a clever boy. They don’t like to acknowledge ability differs, claiming it’s all down to “mindset” and impede progress for the brightest boys, who notice how much they actually learn once they’ve escaped to secondary school, while others struggle with no longer feeling so special. Don’t fall for the Marketing!

@TheLionTheWitchandTheWardrobe: Do you have/had a child in Newton Prep? I like the idea of being selective but we are looking for 4+ atm. Unfortunately, Newton Prep is a bit far to travel for us but I still want to keep it in our list as the 2nd to Falkner House. According to Google 30 minutes by trains. I will test the commute on Friday when I will be going to Newton prep open morning.

Does the same apply to bright girls at Roche too? Thanks!

@TheLionTheWitchandTheWardrobe

Roche always has spaces in the “top” sets but I would avoid for a bright boy, who is already bored - it will be the same/worse. Look at Newton Prep, which is selective. It is more expensive but you get a normal school with space, actual facilities and learning for bright kids plus text books rather than Twinkle printouts and a fair environment! I would go anywhere but the Roche for challenge for a clever boy. They don’t like to acknowledge ability differs, claiming it’s all down to “mindset” and impede progress for the brightest boys, who notice how much they actually learn once they’ve escaped to secondary school, while others struggle with no longer feeling so special. Don’t fall for the Marketing!

Forgot to quote in the previous reply- does the situation apply to bright girls at Roche too?

@TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe

Not really, they’re okay as they are generally treated better. Some of them - like the one who went to St. Paul’s last year - get great references, extra prep work just for them and special treatment, so they’re happy and confident, especially if the parents work there.

@TheLionTheWitchandTheWardrobe: why do you think girls are treated differently at Roche? Just curious, it is co-ed school, so I expected both girls and boys treated the same way.

Totally agree here about if you have a bright child Roche is not the place for them. They will not be academically challenged or pushed. Y5 is 11+ prep and Y6 is just residential trips.

Apologies for being late to the party here.

My child has attended Roche since Reception and is now in Upper School.

• We chose Roche because of it's friendly family feel which was very beneficial for our son who was quite shy an quiet as a youngster.

• As we have progressed through the school years though we have realised that the ethos of making every child happy and nurtured does not compensate (when compared to other independent private schools in the area) for inadequate administration (no parent portal for homework assignments, parent/teacher communications), lack of musical instrument classes, limited language classes, teaching only up to national curriculum standards in Maths/English, a one page (one-sided A5) report card (no progress reports throughout the term) in the autumn and winter terms, 18 min parent/teacher term meetings (across Class, English, Math), lack of facilities and general focus only on well-being rather than challenging and developing the children to their full potential.

• The focus on mastering the 11+ test and then residential trips (in year 6) significantly impacts the teaching from Year 5 onwards in core subjects and disciplines which means that children are unlikely to achieve top sets in Year 7 schools and limits their potential options for Senior schools and Universities.
Roche is a 'good' school (2018 Ofsted report) and the outcome objective is to ensure they reach average national curriculum standards. Worrying though Roche seems to discourage over-achievement by not giving bored under-stimulated children more challenging schoolwork (instead they have to sit quietly and wait until the rest of the class 'catches up' (which takes a long time now that sets are mixed so abilities are all over the place) and are singled out at times for not being patient.))