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Original poster

Anyone know anything about The Student Support Centre?

60 replies

Yurtgirl · 09/02/2009 21:05

I have never heard of it before!
School sent home a leaflet today asking if parents are interested etc

I have found this website There are a few others as [I think] they have local centres

It all seems geared to get your child to pass exams and tick govt boxes.

The resources seem to involve dvds which the child watches then assessments that get marked

I am somewhat agog with astonishment tbh

What do others think?

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Original poster
Yurtgirl · 09/02/2009 21:13

Anyone?

OP posts:
apostrophe · 09/02/2009 21:30

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LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 21:32

I would be hopping, flaming mad if our school sent home promotional material for this type of set up.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 21:33

Especially as it has an incorrect apostrophe in the very first line of its blurb.

DrZeus · 09/02/2009 21:41

I filled in the form (no obligation obviously!) and now I get calls from them plugging their wares, probably every 6 months. I've told them a couple of times now that I'm more than happy with the boys' education now and don't need them but it doesn't put them off calling. Bit of a pain really.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 21:48

OK, I was intrigued enough to go off and Google it as I could find no indication of pricing on their website, which is never a good sign.
This is what I found - nine reviews, most of which are negative. High pressure sales techniques and a three-year contract for which you either pay up front or take out a credit agreement. Doesn't sound good to me. I would definitely complain if our school was plugging this.

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 09/02/2009 22:04

Oh how I love mumsnet

I was suspicious too - as no mention of prices on the main website. I heard the clanking of large coins and rustle of notes

Also I am sick of my lo's coming home telling me about all the dvd films/cartoons they have watched......... they watch more tv at school some days then they do at home in a month

And then I get this..... when I go off and investigate its all watching yet more dvds

I am seriously not impressed and will tactfully be telling the school tommorrow!!!!

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Original poster
Yurtgirl · 09/02/2009 22:07

OMG someone paid £2000 for resources she used occasionally............

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LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 22:09

Yes, I was at a couple of those reviews - it looks like they make you take out a credit agreement before you even get the material so you are stuffed as there would seem to be no way of cancelling it. You can get very good workbooks cheaply from any good bookshop for much less money.

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 09/02/2009 22:17

Ok so I now need to compose my letter to the school..........

The note home isists that all parents respond tommorrow whether yes or no - very aggressive sales technique to ensure they try to hook all families......... urghhhhhhhh

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LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 22:22

You need to look at this thread

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 09/02/2009 22:35

Lady you are a true LADY = thanks for that

Now I now the school get money for each returned form I want to tear mine into pieces and give the school the same amount in cash

OP posts:
christywhisty · 10/02/2009 07:55

The schools get paid a small amount for the returns they receive, but I wrote and told school I didn't agree with the school promoting a hard sell company. Headmistress said she would have a meeting with me but we haven't got round to it yet.

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 10/02/2009 12:28

I took my letter in this morning. I have to say I am rather nervous about the response!

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NAB09 · 10/02/2009 12:36

We had this yesterday and have sent it in. DH has ticked we are interested and now I have sent him this thread as I am worried now
.

apostrophe · 10/02/2009 21:24

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Original poster
Yurtgirl · 10/02/2009 22:29

Do you think apostrophe? How can you tell? Is it the really so glowing/ cheesy reviews

Surely thats utterly deceitful - the more I discover about this company the more I dislike them

If our head is defensive and basically tells me to stop fussing tommorrow I am going to say I think the SSC are so 'shonky' I think they ought to be invetigated by the Dept for Education or business or something.

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apostrophe · 11/02/2009 21:31

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Original poster
Yurtgirl · 12/02/2009 17:08

Wow apostrophe I am impressed by your research I will check those out later!

Still no response from my kids school though

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Original poster
Yurtgirl · 26/02/2009 13:55

Apostrophe - You are right! I finally got round to reading these properly today

Still no response from my children's school re my letter of complaint, though I have only seen the head fleetingly once.

I was expecting some sort of response!

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Original poster
Yurtgirl · 17/06/2009 21:35

I thought I would bump this - as I would like to alert other MN to the potential problems with the Student Support Centre

The school head has never commented on my complaint letter

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mumtoone · 17/06/2009 21:43

Yurtgirl - I got the same letter from DS's school this week. I've already decided not to reply as he's only in reception so I have no interest in pressurising him. I didn't like the way the leaflet says you have to return it to say you've read it. I will not be returning mine as I don't want them to have my details. Why do schools send out this stuff. Do they get commission?

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 17/06/2009 21:56

Yes they do! commission for each letter returned, even if you tick no

The cost of buying their stuff adds up to £2000 and isnt good value or even very good!

Avoid avoid avoid

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mumtoone · 17/06/2009 21:57

I thought as much... Thanks for the information.

twinklytoes · 18/06/2009 00:01

just say no and send back then the school get their money.