Falkner

[OnePunnyTiger]

Hello! Falkner is not a fan of families leaving early. Does anyone have experience with this from the boys school? If so, any advice on how to tell them that it’s something we are exploring? How do we ensure they are supportive even if they don’t agree?Also, what is their relationship with other schools like Emmanuel, Latymer, Harrodian, Dulwich? They seem to be good with Kings & St Paul’s but what about the others.

Hi @OnePunnyTiger I've not heard this about FH before, but have heard it about other schools. What year group are you thinking of leaving? How do you know they are not happy?

Essentially, you don't need to tell them anything until it's time to give your notice in (one full term ahead). You may need to take your child out to sit occasional place assessments - but it's up to you how you explain their absence. If you are asked outright, you can just say it's logistical and you're thinking of finding a school closer to home - if you don't want to explain the real reason (whatever that may be) you don't have to.
They can't hold you to ransom at their school. It's your choice as a fee paying parent where to send your child to school.

Ok, thanks. Don’t they need to provide you with a recommendation letter of some sort?

See above for my reply. And thank you!

@OnePunnyTiger yes, most schools will need a reference but that is often after the assessments have taken place and even sometimes after an offer has been made. Movement in and out of independent schools is more common than it used to be so I'm sure they won't be too disgruntled that you're thinking of leaving. They will have a vacancy list that they can select a replacement from so they won't be out of pocket!

I’ll be very grateful if you could shed some light on why you’re thinking of leaving as we are seriously considering it for my DS next year. Your insights will be much appreciated.

Im a current parent (not that many of us as it is a tiny school!) and happy to share perspective.

i think FHB want to create a cohesive cohort of boys from reception to Y6, and not have the disruption of losing and replacing several boys at 7 and 8. Being cynical, you can say it’s because of “improving” 11+ exit results (if your definition of success is number of St Paul’s offers), or keeping the most academic and almost certainly the best rounded, if they get 7+ offers, boys in house. My take, speaking regularly with the senior team, is that they genuinely believe the 11+ exit is more reflective of a boys abilities that the 7+. The teaching in Y4-6 at Falkner is incredible including the 11+ prep, and a smart boy who does well at 7+ will do just as well with 11+, and a boy who doesn’t will no doubt improve.

i would say to all prospective parents - do you like the Falkner offer? If you don’t believe in it for your boy all the way through, it’s probably a lot easier and better just not to join. There are lots of schools that cater to the 7+ exit if indeed WUS or St Paul’s juniors is the right fit for your child, and your boy will be happier doing the prep with all the rest of his class and not having to hide prep from his teacher (not that I think that would cause problems).

Ultimately, it’s London, people’s circumstances change all the time, and boys personalities change all the time too between 4 and 11. No one at the school will punish a boy or his family for wanting to do something different, but I think going in with the intention to move at 7 is disingenuous if that is the family’s ultimate plan.

just my two cents! We’ve loved the school, and as I said, the Y4-6 teaching has been wonderful (as I’m sure it would be at lots of other schools).

Ps I know through the grapevine at least a couple boys prepping for the next set of 7/8+ exams.

Thank you so much. That’s super helpful. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on their 4+ assessment process? What does it entail and how can one prepare for it? We’re anxious as we recently moved to London and our DS speaks a few languages, and I heard that they tend to prefer native English speakers.

unfortunately I think all 4+ assessments are a crap shoot - it all depends if your child is clingy on the day (if a 3 year old is coming down with a cold, they won’t be happy to go into a new place and behave without crying!), is offered activities they like (some kids like trains, some kids like animals - they might be happy to count trains and not cats!), and had a good sleep the night before!

Generally, I think Falkner are looking for curious kids who can follow instructions, sit still, and have some age appropriate ‘academic’ ability (interested in letters and numbers rather than can write a sentence!). More importantly, they don’t seem to take kids who can’t go into the assessment without being clingy or crying, or is disruptive.

i think they’d be the first to agree that 4+ is not a great time to assess children - they are just too young to know what they will be like at 10. Lots of boys who make the 4+ aren’t the most academic in later cohorts (I think those are the ones who join on occasional places later, when academics can be more rigorously tested), but the school is still very supportive of children for whom Harrodian/Ibstock is the right level academically.

i do think they assess for parents too. There are plenty of non British parents, but most parents are ones are happy to trust the school, able and willing to support with homework further down the line, and are not pushing for Stpauls/westminster or die narrative.

if you are a fairly chill parent who are quite academic yourself, trust and believe in the school, and have a well-behaved (and probably older in the year) boys, you have a good chance.

most parents towards the older years are genuinely choosing not to apply to St Paul’s etc as many feels the deeply ingrained competitive environment is not right for their kids, and FHB is fully on board with that.

i do think they assess for parents too. There are plenty of non British parents, but most parents are ones are happy to trust the school, able and willing to support with homework further down the line, and are not pushing for Stpauls/westminster or die narrative.

When we went to meet Mrs G for DD1 many years ago, we were there with a few other sets of parents. There was one woman dressed top to toe in Chanel who absolutely dominated the session with her ideas about how to improve the school. Her DD didn't attend the school.

Thank you so very much. Incredibly helpful. I guess my final question would be if you have insight about how it compares to Wetherby?

No kids at Wetherby for me so can’t give you any insight. Friends with boys there have all said good things so I would say if you like the school and think it’s right for your boy it’s a great option.

I think it preps for 7/8+, as well as 11/13+ exits, very similar destinations as Falkner.

To answer your question initially, we’re not leaving early because we don’t like it. It’s a great school but we are thinking about it because for our kids, these exams cause a level of anxiety that isn’t worth it. There is zero comparison to Wetherby because it’s not a PE owned hot house school and the comments of the other parent above are true. It’s very pastoral and nurturing and equally academic but I think it’s a long haul school because of their ethos and when you make the decision for your child that it may be best to get to their senior school pre 11+, they’re not as supportive. Many parents from Wetherby end up moving to Falkner because they’re unhappy. I hope this helps you. Between the two, it’s certainly the better choice.

Hi! What are your insights for kids at FHB who are not tutored until they get help from the school in Year 4 in preparation for 11+. Do they truly succeed without outside prep? I’ve heard a yes from the school but almost all parents are secretly tutoring (true at Wetherby even more as they have a partnership with a tutoring company).

trying to keep things general as don’t want to be too outing. But in my experience tutoring is in two cases, the first for less academic kids (still bright by any account, (west london standards are crazy), but perhaps more variable) to ensure that they stay steady with home work, and nail exams for the Harrodian type schools. Second is for special cases where a target school has a different system and it isn’t efficient for the teachers to focus on this exam when no one else in the class is aiming for it.

90% of families aren’t tutoring, or at least so the parents would tell me.

that said, I think this is where the parent selection comes in. Without exception, every Falkner parent I’ve met are deeply involved in the educational process for their child, and would easily spend 2-3 hours per week in year 5/6 on revision/practice, based on Falkner’s curriculum and exam plan. I believe the average Falkner parent wants to do this, rather than outsource, so it would not be fair to say there is no tutoring - the tutor is just the parents. And btw, most parents aren’t stay at home - they just want to prioritise this despite having professional jobs.

again, might not suit every family, but better to go in eyes open.

results wise I do think all boys end up with choices that are right for them, which as said upthread isn’t just the brand names.

I was also curious, are parents interviewed as part of the 4+ assessment process?

Additionally, does the school tend to have a broad mix of families, or is the intake predominantly from very affluent backgrounds?

Definitely a broad and healthy mix of backgrounds but clearly still affluent enough to afford it. Most are working parents. They don’t interview you, per se, but they do take note of how you present yourself, what you value, you just may not realize that they evaluate this as it’s not overtly stated. Girl’s school is less relaxed in comparison to the boys school, according to parents who have one in each, and based on personal experience.

I’m afraid I don’t know the current 4+ process so can’t help there, but I would be amazed if Mrs G isn’t checking out the parents at some point!

affluence wise I think it’s a lot less glitzy than a Garden House/glendower/thomas Kensington. Typically 2 working parents at least one being in finance/law etc. I’m sure there are some super wealthy parents but no head to toe Chanels at drop off!

We have been at FHB for a few years and we could not be happier. It has the right balance of academic but very caring. The year of my boy has all type of personalities, from very shy to big extroverts, sporty and very academic...Yet, they all have a great atmosphere in the class. It is a kind school.

They clearly have a strong methodology that they use to teach and teachers are very experienced. I still have not seen a teacher I didnt like in the years I have been there. Everyone is very caring and the boys are at the center of it. I personally did not like Wetherby, even if we had an offer, as I was missing a lot the personal and caring side that Falkner has.

They dont prepare them for exams at 7/8+ but the level at the school is strong, and if your boy is academically driving they will keep them at a good level. They have also been supportive with boys that had a lower level in some areas. So even if Wetherby does prepare them more directly, all (or almost all) FHB that sat these exams have made it.

Just to say I really agree with the other comments here about FHB. Not lots of tutoring but lots of parental involvement. A very kind school that cares about behaviour. Great prep for 11+. They know their stuff and understand every boy. Fantastic school and streets above many other local options. Mostly two career couples, lots international, reflecting the local area.

Personally I hate the Wetherby philosophy of “boys will be boys” and hey a little bullying is fine (I may be exaggerating but they basically said this at the open day). Falkner is not like that - no bullying and very high behaviour standards. If you aren’t on board with them expecting your kid to be polite and well behaved then look elsewhere.

We’ve had an extremely positive experience with Wetherby Kensington and, honestly, many of the good things being said here about Falkner apply as well.
It’s a kind school with a strong focus on behaviour and respect. It is academic, but not pushy. They really take into account each child’s personality and ability, and support them accordingly.
Not all boys are prepared for the 7+, only those who are ready, which helps preserve their wellbeing.
That said, I’m sure Falkner is a great school too.

@Bluemoon003 What are your thoughts on Wetherby Kensington going co-ed? I have a DD with an offer at Pembridge but we’re now thinking maybe WK would be a better option for her as they prep for 7+ and have stronger exit results.

Hello, we had a very good experience at Wetherby Kensington, and I truly believe the Headmistress and the Deputy Head of Academics are doing a fantastic job.
Please note that they will only encourage 7+ preparation if they feel a child is ready, as it can be quite a demanding journey. A child needs to be both mature and academically ready.
I don’t know Pembridge well enough to compare, though.

If anyone had their boy joined Falkner Boys from Y3 or Y5, from a state school or non-academic prep, could you please share how your boys felt, how easy was settling in?