Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

[swanriver]

Did anyone find this school put too much pressure on their child? Or was it just right? It is clearly a wonderful school. But my child is average. I don't want him to struggle with the homework or/and have battles/tears over it, if the school expects more than he can give.

Any thoughts?

My understanding (my cousin's son goes there)is that it very much designed to cater for a wide range of ability. They stream, so if you're kid is super-bright, they can handle that but, similarly, if they are average or need help, they can do that too. I think it has a nurturing ethos. My cousin seems very happy with it.

Did you see the article in today's Evening Standard?
Its not related to pressure on the children, but all the shenanigans and politics around admissions.
I don't think the pressure is that hard but the discipline imho is wayyyy over the top.

read article typical Standard stuff to be taken with a pinch of s.

My ds started year 1 this September. He is streamed into the top set and I think actually enjoys the challenge. The standard of his work had dramatically improved and he is shining in subjects where we thought he was lacking. He's re-started a musical instrument and joined a choir and played rugby for the 1st time. The school takes a good proportion of statemented children and are taught in smaller classes than average. It is truely comprehensive (although the Diocese wants to make it exculsively a rich-persons school with lower standards). Given the overall outstanding results, I recommend for any academic level. DS also thinks that the school meals are must better than primary school.

I've had children at the school on and off for years. It is not the right school for everyone, but I do not know of any school which is. My eldest was really unhappy; my second and third children have been very happy there. It would be a bad idea to go there if you don't like extreme pickiness over school uniform, haircuts etc. I admit there are lots of things I would like to change at the school, but there is much good there,and the Diocese is behaving monstrously in trying to put in its own Director of Education as a governor, and wants the school to scrap its admissions system in a way which will make it impossible for anyone, Catholic or not, to get a place unless they can afford to live in Kensington and Chelsea! As xmb53 says, a rich-persons school with lower standards.