Broomwood Hall (Garrads Road) - opinions, first hand experiences?

[irisha]

Might have a place in Yr1 at Garrads Rd (well, subject to interview). Anybody in the know? Children there? Friends with children there?

Have you done a MN search? TheBlonde was saying some interesting things about Broomwood last year...

A couple of mums at nursery have older ones there
They seem quite happy, not heard any complaints about it

thread here

Are you in London? Is that why you don't feel the need to say where the school is

I remember that thread... still occasionally giggle over "friend with a DD at Broomwood reported that, after Sports Day, the head sent a letter to the parents saying how disappointed she was that so few mothers had chosen to wear hats and gloves"

Indeed! I think there was another one somewhere re rumours of flower arranging on the curriculum......?

Gah - bad typing for an ex teacher.

Ok, read through the thread. So I suppose the question is: are these just rumours/goss or is it indeed a snobish school with all that nonsense. I am all for manners and discipline but if one can't pick up a kid wearing jeans, than they are just mad!
Any fresh info?

We went for a guided tour (interview) recently
The uniform list is very precise and particular eg particular model of shoes

I thought I wouldn't like it, but I did

Have you been for a look round?

Going today, meeting Mrs Melrose at Garrads Rd. Not fussed about uniform rules, although does appear stuffy at first sight. More the snob aspect that seems to pop up in the goss. Like the kind of house you live in, the car you drive, etc.

Let us know what you think
My friend saw Garrards Rd recently and really liked it

So went today. Actually, liked it quite a bit. Thought the Headmistress was great. Two boys showed me around the school, and were quite impressive little lads. I was taken around one other school by a 10 year old who was not as relaxed and articulate as these two. On the other hand, children seemed to be too well mannered. Can one behave too nicely? Isn't their childishness repressed? Children were a bit too quiet I suppose. Then again, it's Friday, they are tired, still...
Have an interview on Monday for DD.

I'm deep in the country but FWIW we have had a few children come to our school from Broomwood Hall (as they have moved out of london). They are all really nice, kind, bright little children who seeme to be bang on track in terms of the work they should be doing at that age, if that helps. I also think that any school that sends parents round to have a look, with just children guiding them, is also generally A Good Thing as it shows that they are confident in their school and confident in their children.

But the hats/gloves/no jeans/specifying model of shoe (who are they to say which shoe fits my child's feet ffs) would drive me nuts personally!

irisha it is a friday just before the end of term

all of our children are KNACKERED

batters
Are you in London? You mean they left the school before 11+ because they were not happy for whatever reason, two few children in this case? I suppose they were from upper school (ie. between 8-11)?
Thanks!

PrincessPeaHead

That's the thing. hats/gloves/no jeans would drive me mad too, shoes I can live with, but just barely.
The question is how do I know that's true, so far nobody says "I have a child there, and that what they ask..." It's all have heard from a friend some years ago.

I can harldy ask the Headmistress directly! Or can I?

Or if there is smoke, there is fire?

Yes ask her! Say "There are a few things I've heard about Broomwood on the dinner party circuit which make me think it might be slightly too formal in it's approach, but which I'd be grateful for your reaction to - first an interest in the type of clothes mothers wear at school pick up time, second an unduly prescriptive approach to school uniform, including specifying styles of shoes, and third a desire to see mothers in hats and gloves at sports days. Could you comment on those?"

Bloody hell you will be paying the fees, you can ask them whatever you like.

PrincessPeaHead

thanks! Very well put. Will do just that on Monday. After all, if my question (or DD's assessment) will put her off offering us a place, that in itself is a good thing - means it's not the right school for us.

yup, I think so

and if she says "oh no, how silly, we aren't like that at all" then she can't shoot you dirty looks when yuo turn up on the school run in your pyjamas

They definitely specify the shoes - it is on the website
choose lower school info guide

I saw some people picking up today and they had jeans on

TheBlonde

Thanks! I looked at the guide, the shoes are fine, at least they have a few models.

So jeans are OK. Now just hats and gloves left

I wonder about the overall atmosphere rather - snobbishness, children too precious, too proper, that sort of thing. There is always a fine balance between discipline/focus on manners (which I totally approve of) and being zealous and show offy about it.

Couldn't quite gauge that. On the other hand, we have a mother at our current school whose son will start at Northcote Lodge in September and they are considering moving DD to Broomwood Hall, and she seems perfectly normal (and scruffy!) to me.

So what did you decide in the end with schools?

We haven't decided yet
Still have some places to see