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Secondary education

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Original poster

Tiffin talk

58 replies

Menagerie · 12/10/2010 09:17

Did anyone go to the open day yesterday? What did you think? Does anyone have children at the boys' school? Was trying to see beyond the armies of parents to get a picture of what the school was really like and it was hard, but all the boys we spoke to were charming, kind, polite, honest about the school, confident but not pushy.

What do other people think? Is it worth going for?

OP posts:
willow · 15/10/2010 10:34

DHOA - wasn't suggesting for minute that Tiffin exam allows for creativity, just that it might offer more of a level playing field - especially for those who can't think creatively in a trad' exam situation, so to speak. Does that make sense?

DancingHippoOnAcid · 15/10/2010 10:46

Trouble with only using VR and NVR to assess is that they only assess ability in a fairly narrow kind of way - and in the Tiffin exam with the time pressure I feel that they test exam technique more than anything. This was recognised in the old days of universal 11+ and such tests were largely discredited.

For this reason I would rather my DCs took more rounded assessments which actually assess all aspects of their abilities. I realise for a school like Tiffin this is impossible as they get so many applicants, but I still think it is sad that proper assessments are not done. A lot of very able applicants must fall by the wayside.

weathershore · 15/10/2010 14:09

Last charge that i looked after did a couple of weeks of practice of the tests just so that he knew what to expect on the day. Actually got a place although moved so did not take it up. As a primary school boy he used to do drama there and choir with the years 7 and 8 i was always so impressed with the how plite that the boys were while there. Several times they changed rooms on me and there was always some one waiting to show me where he was at pick up time.

Original poster
Menagerie · 17/10/2010 11:06

Weathershore, that's the kind of lovely insider insight on the school that it's impossible to get from a cattle market open day. Thanks for that. These things matter. All the kids we met seemed kind and gentle, relaxed and happy on open day but I'm still not quite convinced it was a rounded school. Still felt a bit crammer-ish.

OP posts:
drosophila · 17/10/2010 15:34

I think the VR tests have a huge cultural bias and I think under the New Equality Act schools could be really challenged. There are other tests that are not quite as bad.

Imagine you are as bright as anything but English is not your first language or you are Dyslexic.

I know a boy last year who got in to Tiffin. He practised with his Mum. He is also very bright. My DS is often compoared to him by their teachers but he is dyslexic and has issues around focusing. This can make tests difficult. ATM he is doing the Bond 10 min tests (in prep for Wandsworth Test) and he can do them in under 10 mins and 100% but on a another day it can take him 30 mins and not get all the answers.

DancingHippoOnAcid · 17/10/2010 16:12

I agree the kids at Tiffin are probably lovely, and certainly appeared very pleasant and well mannered at the open day. They always are at every open day, though. They certainly were at Coombe Girls, anyway.

Problem for me was that the focus of the school (Tiffin that is) is all wrong for my DD. She has close friends who go there and seem fine, but their interests are different. One size does not fit all.

deaddei · 18/10/2010 13:54

DancingHippo...Coombe Girls is very good.

DancingHippoOnAcid · 19/10/2010 18:43

Deaddei - You are absolutely right, I have been completely converted to Coombe Girls and so has my DD. She now refuses to have anything to do with Tiffin.

Two neighbours have DDs in y8 at CGS (and both close friends of DD) and they praise it to the skies.

MrsGhoulOfGhostbourne · 20/10/2010 08:43

If you are lucky enough to have a good catchment school - ie Coombe Girls - no contest - why go throught he sausage machine for Tiffin - lucky you [henvy]

DancingHippoOnAcid · 20/10/2010 10:41

Thanks MrsG - you confirmed my gut feeling - have been wavering a bit in the face of pressure from a number of people who think Tiffin is the holy grail of good education. You have given a reality check.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 20/10/2010 20:55

DHOA - Tiffin Boys has a lot of performance, drama, arts, rugby etc, as well as science. Maybe not the same as Tiffin Girls which you took so much against. I don't know, I didn't visit the girls' school. I wouldn't generalise, though, just based on similar names. DS is applying for it, for Sutton Grammar too. He does VR and NVR with DH and has just started with a tutor friend of ours for a bit of Maths and English. I don't think it's too much pressure on him, at least he wasn't pre-prepped and prepped to the eyeballs since he was 3. But that last sentence is unkind and unnecessary.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 20/10/2010 20:57

I noticed also they've updated the lockers! Shiny new green ones and not only on the ground floor where they are most likely to have a visual impact.

DancingHippoOnAcid · 20/10/2010 22:19

Cristina - what last sentence? I am confused. Are you saying that Tiffin IS the Holy Grail of education and I have committed blasphemy by saying it would not suit my own particular DD? The reality check was thanking MrsGhoul for helping me get a perspective on the whole issue.

I have not "taken against" Tiffin particularly, I have just decided it is not the right school for my DD and have encountered a lot of horror that I do not agree that it is the best school for everyone, even if they are bright enough to get a place. It is a very good school, but it is not for everyone.

No doubt I will just be dismissed as having a case of sour grapes as you think my DD is not bright enough to get in. I know differently but I do not feel the need to prove it to you.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 20/10/2010 22:57

DHOA - I just thought you were extrapolating from a girls' school to a boys' one not having visited the latter. I said it was doing lots of the non-science stuff that you might have liked for your DD. FWIW I liked Sutton Grammar more and liked two others as well but Tiffins in close to home and I am one of those lefties who hopes to get a good education for free. (While it lasts.)

MrsGhoulOfGhostbourne · 21/10/2010 10:54

Aaah, yes, a leftie in the vein of Tony Bliar - ie 'free education, but only in a school where the riff-raff are selected out, not any old non-selective free school, that'll do for everyone else, but not my kids who are special...'

DancingHippoOnAcid · 21/10/2010 11:12

Cristina - don't think I have commented in particular about Tiffin Boys - certainly didn't mean to as I don't know anything about it. I think I may have made some general comments about people keeping an open mind, but couldn't comment further as far as TB is concerned.

Sutton Grammar too far away for comfortable commute every day. Why go through all that when we have a great school that DD can walk to?

MrsGhoul - you do have a point, but I have no problem in sending DD to a non selective school as long as they have streaming so she is working with DCs at a similar level to herself. Not prepared to sacrifice her education on the altar of mixed ability classes. Been there, done that. That does not mean that she needs to go to a school that has completely excluded all but those of top ability, though.

deaddei · 21/10/2010 15:20

DHOA- you may have seen me on the prospective parents evening while you were queuing for Mrs C's epic talk.

Your dd will be very happy there, as mine is.
Is she at CHS or cc?

willow · 21/10/2010 15:57

Mrs G - ouch!

CristinaTheAstonishing · 21/10/2010 19:46

MrsGhoul - am I supposed to feel embarrassed or something? I would like my kids to get a good education, free if possible. For the time being it still is. I don't really care what type of leftie you think that makes me. If I had £18,000 pa x 3 (3 kids) my options would be wider.

DHOA - I thought it was strange that you were commenting on a school that your DD could not even contemplate as she's the wrong sex! Must have been a misunderstanding then.

Diki · 21/10/2010 21:34

Hi can anyone give me some comparison between Tiffin Girls and Nonsuch.
Nonsuch seemed friendlier and happier school to me but then an open evening is not sufficient to judge. If anyone has a daughter at Tiffin can they share their experience.
I can't decide which one to put as the first preference (DD passed Nonsuch with a good result)

DancingHippoOnAcid · 21/10/2010 23:26

Deaddei - she is at the moment at LEH juniors but paying for the senior school is looking like it will be a stretch and am seriously questioning the need to scrimp and save for it when there is a very good school so close and free.

She would be very happy at both schools I am sure, but going to CGS would relieve such a lot of financial pressure.

DancingHippoOnAcid · 21/10/2010 23:29

Cristina - yes my comments have been solely re Tiffin Girls - not sure DD would go for the uniform at Tiffin Boys! Smile

Have no direct experience of Tiffin Boys but friends who are considering it for their DS say it is quite different to the Girls school. Not sure in what way though!

Vega · 02/11/2010 16:30

I know I'm a bit late to this thread but as an ex-Tiffin Girl I'd be happy to answer any questions about the school - I was there for seven years, left two years ago and have a sister in Year 13 so I should probably be able to help with most things.

FWIW I was determined to hate it for the first year or so (and did a damn good job Grin), loved most of my time there so much that you couldn't have paid me to leave and by my last year was sick of some of the ridiculous rules and the way some of the senior staff - by no means all - seemed to treat the place like an exam factory once we got to our A-level years. I think there are possibly some misconceptions about attitude of the place etc - personally I made some great friends, had several brilliant teachers (some of whom I'm still in contact with) and for most of my time there didn't feel it was particularly pressurised or exam-obsessed at all, though obviously I can't compare it with other schools. I genuinely think I wouldn't have got as much out of my education anywhere else, but I realise it will suit some people more than others and it's not going to be the place for everyone.

Anyway, as I said I'm happy to answer any questions. I hope some of the stuff I've said is useful and I'm not just rambling on to myself Blush

DancingHippoOnAcid · 03/11/2010 09:32

Vega - thanks for your well balanced views.

Exactly what I have always said. it suits some DDs but not others.

It's a shame that the total lack of catchment area makes it such a stressful bunfight for those who would be suited there.

I am sure the admissions process has put off a lot who would have thrived there.

Wilferbell · 03/11/2010 21:04

My DD started at Tiffin Girls this term. I found the crowds at open evening really off-putting, but we did get a chance to speak to some of the teachers who all made a very positive impression. DD and DH also did the school tour during the open day.

There's an awful lot of hype and mystique surrounding the exam which is really unhelpful. Any parent who has a bit of time and confidence can help their child practise and prepare for the test. All the material you need is easily available in the public domain and it's simply not true that you have to fork out £££ for several years with a specialist tutor to have any chance of success. I find this myth really depressing. It seems to have led a huge and expensive tutoring industry, and this must put off lots of parents who quite rightly fear the cost and pressure of intensive tutoring.

I have certain reservations about some aspects of the school, but DD is really happy and is thriving academically.

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