Devonshire House School

[viio]

Hi just looking for opinions as to how hard it is to get in half way through the year. How is the teaching staff at this school and the atmosphere? Are children genuinely happy? Thanks

[Coronateachingagain]

Not that hard. It has changed ownership I think so do do some research on this.

[viio]

Thank you . I can’t figure out if change is for the better or not. Past pupils seemed to be very happy, present not sure? So it would be great to get present parents insights… thank you

[ItsRainingTacos79]

It's a non-selective school so there isn't a huge competition to get in. What age are your DCs?

It was bought by Dukes Education about 6 months ago and a new Head was appointed. It could take a couple of years to see any meaningful change. On the whole parents and children are happy.

[viio]

Thank you. The research on the Google or mums net seems to imply that the new head is not that great, which is a worry. I don’t think parents liked him much when he was in charge of Pembridge house. Hope he has changed or such opinions are not in majority. As long as the teaching is good and children are happy I can deal with a grumpy head! Thanknyou

[Dodgeitornot]

Why would you pay a registration fee to a school you'd never send your child to? I know one happy boy there in Y1, not much else. They seem to have good leavers destinations, although I imagine they're probably largely a back up school.

[Dodgeitornot]

Sorry that was for @MarigoldP

[Dodgeitornot]

@MarigoldP Ah I see ok. Makes sense. It's different to what I've heard but I don't have a child there nor did I attend open days. The child I know in Y1 is close to our family and he went there after failing to get into UCS. As far as I know they'll be trying for 7+ but are happy to stay if he's not successful. They just want an all through school.
I wonder if the great leavers destinations are just the remnants of old management?

[Dodgeitornot]

I agree. I am not in the market for a primary school, but if I was, I would be avoiding any that are for profit. I think you're better off in a state school in that situation as the advice you'll get around your childs needs will rarely be about their needs, but the needs to keep a bum on a seat.

[ParentOfToddlers]

Take all one sided reviews with a pinch of salt. I've heard it all: "all-through schools are better/preferable", "premises are dire", "school is for profit, focused only on growth".

My experience is entirely different. The staff were fantastic on the "play date" assessments this school runs; the rooms where kids actually spend their time are bright and airy; there is an emphasis on outdoor play/learning evident in how outdoor space is structured; there is a huge investment/expansion in premises alongside increase in numbers (they are buying and refurbishing buildings as well as adding pupils); the exit results are impressive given majority of intake are not selected competitively. The head seemed fine, he has plenty of experience and indicated some good changes he wanted to implement, e.g. make transition from nursery to school more gradual by making the classroom environment more play-based.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is necessarily the best prep around or the best choice for everyone. But you can do a lot worse than sending your children here and should not let any review dissuade you if your personal tour, letting you see how kids routinely play/learn in the nursery/school setting, gives a more positive impression.

Good luck with your (re)search!

[Tiredmumofthreekids]

DH has relatively small classes (16-18 in many classes) which is very beneficial for some children thanks to a great parent-teacher ratio. Yes some classes are located on the lower ground floors of the building but they have large windows and get plenty of sunlight. Size-wise the classes are not huge but good for classes under 20. Food and catering is excellent.

There have been some ups and downs especially during CODID years (like in many other schools regardless sate or private) and the school has got a new owners/head at the same time so it was a big shakeup.... its a bit too early to have a firm answer but so far the experience with the school following its takeover by dukes has started to improve. they have put more emphasis on sport, facilities, etc. the parent-school communication has improved, and the new head has been generally pleasant and certainly feels like is is involved

its a pity the school and the new head is getting a bit of hatred on mumsnet especially from people with no first hand experience. the fact that the school is being run by a large private group is far from being ideal but may not necessarily be a bad thing thanks to economy of scale as these type of schools are more viable.

In terms of the leavers destinations...its a mixed abilities school, so expect some mixed results . also given they are non- selective and co-ed they have a large proportion of expat families who may not be "in a game" for 11+/13+ exam prep by the time they join the school/or may not put too much efforts into it.

and its true that a good proportion of children leaves at 4+ as many families use them as a nursery and then move to state or try their luck at the selective private schools, others leave at 7+. this is totally normal for non-selective school.

[Tiredmumofthreekids]

should read pupil-teacher ratio. excuse all the typos. tiredmumofthreekids

[Tiredmumofthreekids]

@Dodgeitornot

I agree. I am not in the market for a primary school, but if I was, I would be avoiding any that are for profit. I think you're better off in a state school in that situation as the advice you'll get around your childs needs will rarely be about their needs, but the needs to keep a bum on a seat.

i think people can be misled by schools' charitable setups often its a complicated scheme designed to cut taxes (obviously) and all is needed is just a couple of bursaries and scholarships per year to claim the school is there for public benefit. therefore many charitable setups often have larger class sizes (24 and more ) so they can squeeze in more bursary holders. im not here for debate but i wouldn't consider how the school is run when making the choices

[Dodgeitornot]

@Tiredmumofthreekids

i think people can be misled by schools' charitable setups often its a complicated scheme designed to cut taxes (obviously) and all is needed is just a couple of bursaries and scholarships per year to claim the school is there for public benefit. therefore many charitable setups often have larger class sizes (24 and more ) so they can squeeze in more bursary holders. im not here for debate but i wouldn't consider how the school is run when making the choices

Of course, all private schools are essentially businesses. For profit schools also offer bursaries and scholarships to smart kids and their classes aren't always tiny. I just think it's much more common for for profit schools, to prioritise profit above the child and less likely for the parent to get genuine impartial advice. It's complicated as struggling charity preps will also do the same, it's important to not judge it just on that, but from what I've seen, I just wouldn't touch the for profit schools. Some if not most of the schools dukes takes over are often struggling, therefore need bums on seats.

[ParentOfToddlers]

There are too many non sequiturs and accusations here, bordering on vitriol. A few examples:

• "Both myself and my partner work in private equity" - Irrelevant. Does not make you any more knowledge about a specific institution.
• "Won't mention escaping taxes." - You just did. Don't make accusations you can't support.
• "I do not know anyone with kids at my PR firm whose kids are at a school owned by an investment firm" - Irrelevant. Maybe parents here do not want to go to schools preferred by employees of your PR firm?

A general theme is lack of first hand detail. What do you think of the staff and pupils you spoke with? What did you think of the lessons you stepped into while in motion? What about range and quality of extra curricular offerings? Classroom and outdoor learning layout? What did you think of the behaviour and friendliness of the children you saw on your visit? These are the issues of the "utmost importance", at least in my view.

[Tiredmumofthreekids]

Business model and setup of the school is irrelevant IMHO, all private schools operate as a business. one of my other DC was in another school which was set up as a charity and we had a a negative experience there (poor facilities and unmotivated teachers, it was cheaper than Devonshire though!), so its all about particular school in question rather than its business setup. i wont judge the school purely on this. I have three DCs passing through a number of schools so i can compare. also there is nothing wrong with cost cutting and re-allocating resources, private schools is a business and should operate as a business and should have adequate business and costs management in place.

I dont work in Devonshire i have a DC there ... what a strange accusation...I'm just sharing my first hand experience thats what OP was asking. what's your experience with this particular school? or you just came here to open general debate on school business setups/Dukes education?

[viio]

@MarigoldP and others thank you all for your contribution. In the end we didn’t go to Devonshire - I must admit after receiving some private feedback I decided against visiting so I can’t comment on how good the school is.

I did so match research into school I could write a novel 😂 but my take is that it depends on luck (what sort of class composition is at that time), teacher, school and so many other factors. as parents we all have different objectives and things we would put up with and things we wouldn’t what is important for my child to have… and on that basis we will decide. There is also a bit of intuition we get when we visit (might be wrong or right but it is there).

We have now moved and are happy.
🙏💜

[Tiredmumofthreekids]

@MarigoldP i hope you do realize that majority of people on private school thread on mumsnet are in in finance/legal field and familiar with the idea of various business models and setups and their profit-driven principles (or at least can google the basics of it in the absence of that knowledge ) so there is no need to share your textbook/general professional knowledge, but thanks anyway:) This still doesn't tell me about the particular school, its 11+/13+ prep, quality of teaching, facilities, after school clubs, parent-school communication, after school care, sports and other provisions. Cost management and being profit driven is not a bad thing per se as soon as the business is run properly and resources are (re-)allocated in the right field. Small unviable schools on the brink of collapse (regardless of its setup) might be the one to stay away from IMHO.

Saying that being run by organisations like Dukes is far from being ideal and i noted this in my original post. its early to say about an overall impact of Dukes governance on this particular school. There are some (very) early signs of changes for better thats what im saying but i wont make any big statements as its just too early...

Anyway I wasn't directing any of this rant at you, just a general snobbery about non-selective privately run schools on mumsnet is beyond me.

[Coronateachingagain]

I have lots of friends that have had their kids attending DH. Before the Dukes takeover it was a definitely average school (and not talking about average results, but average teaching and average generally in delivery of expected service).
Not sure whether Dukes will improve this or not but definitely agree the fact it is run with a PE firm behind is not a good sign. (From another "city" mum with PE experience) 😂 you learn what to stay away from.

[Tiredmumofthreekids]

@viio well done on making the choice (whichever it is)!
With 3 DCs in 3 different schools and a number of schools/pre-schools we went through in the past and large network of friends attending various state and private schools in London id totally agree that its all about an individual experience, a particular teacher you get, other pupils in a class and a multitude of other factors that might be important to one family but less important to another. i have pulled one of my DC from one school (very much loved on mumsnet according to the comments), "small nurturing and charity setup" so should have ticked all the boxes but this was not a right school for us, teachers with 18s century teaching techniques, a lack of school-parent/parent-teacher communication, rubbish after school clubs, cost cutting everywhere so we left...
Good luck with your new school!

[Dodgeitornot]

@Tiredmumofthreekids was this a pre-prep by any chance?