Graveney school

[Feelingthestrain]

Is anyone out there with positives or negatives about Graveney. I know how oversubscribed it is, but would love to hear the experiences of those of you who's dc's are there. Many thanks.

[TootAndCommon]

The places based on the test are very hotly contested, and yes, I imagine that the difference between 96% and 98% is a matter of luck on the day. A friend's child scored 96% and was not admitted.

But there's no harm in trying for Graveney, is there?

Where do you live, TheWomanOnTheBus? (roughly).

Dunraven's results this year (improving steadily every year) put it in the top 10% of banded comps in the country. The catchment spreads to about a mile, I think.

[TheWomanOnTheBus]

Thanks TootAndCommon. There is indeed no harm in trying. In Clapham, so Dunraven is a non-starter on distance.

Any views on whether the Bond papers on VR / NVR are a fair approximation of the secretive Wandworth tests? (Or any other brand of papers?)

[AnyoneButLulu]

Does anyone have any feedback on whether Graveney is particularly good for science?

DD is sufficiently academic that I think it's worth her doing the test, but it's all about the maths/science for her, and most of the local schools' specialities are more arty (for what that's worth).

[TootAndCommon]

I don't know the details of the Wandsworth Test, but friends have been downloading something called CAT papers, I think? They sound very similiar to the Bonds papers.

[Isabella2012]

I know some parents at the school and from what I gather, although the 'reputation' is of a high standard, the teaching standards and health and safety within the school leaves a lot to be desired. The immediate area is fairly affluent and due to their selective admissions procedures, the children that attend are relatively bright anyway. A number of the children receive private tuition which shouldn't really be required if standards are apparently high. I have heard that the management don't respond well to reports of bullying and have in fact tried to ignore such reports instead of resolving such issues. It sounds that the more vulnerable children are not sufficiently supported and have even suffered unnecessarily due to their lack of pastoral care. From other parents reports within the area, there are other high schools where the teaching, management and pastoral care is of a much higher standard.

[ancientandmodern]

I'm intrigued by the Graveney 4 tier system, with a separate arrangement for 'special needs'. does this mean that any student classed as having special needs is automatically in that group, even if for example they did score 98% in the Wandsworth test and would therefore normally be in the extended or upper tiers?

[KandyBarr]

Isabella I'm surprised to hear that. My DSS is at Graveney and the pastoral care has been top notch, in our experience. I've not known of anyone receiving private tuition, either, but obvs that's just within the people we know.

ancient I don't know, I'm afraid. I do know there is some movement between the streams, however.

[animula]

I think the NVR and VR are multiple choice and very similar to the old NFER tests. Yes, Bond will do for familiarisation but won't hurt to get a range of these things -- doing the multiple choice ones closer to the exam, perhaps.

I don't think there's a real chance of being in support if a child scores 98%, unless they have serious difficulties that inhibit learning and require extra support.

Just want to say that I live near the school and what has impressed me most is the behaviour coming out of school - which is good.

[DemRed]

Hi All, I need some advice .
Before two days my DS received selective place offer for Graveney School. Now we have to make choice between Ashcroft Technical Academy (Putney) and Graveney School (Tooting).
I am happy for my DS but confused at the moment.
Which one is better one in long term.
What do you think ?
Thank you.

[Doingmybestmum]

My DS is doing A Levels at Graveney, and my DS went to Bristol after Graveney, where she is predicted a First. The school offers children from every background and of every ability the chance to be their best: academically, socially and emotionally. It is not perfect, but its as close as I've come across (both mine had bad experiences at two other secondaries - neither Ashcroft - before they went to Graveney). The Head is retiring this year, but the management team is very strong. Non-religious and co-ed throughout really helps. Particularly recommend for children with emotional issues. I hope you are lucky enough to get a place.

[TestTubeTeen]

I didn't know the Head was retiring.

Do you know if Head of Sixth Form will stay the same? (Heading for sixth form.....)

[Doingmybestmum]

I don't know tbh but as we haven't been told that anyone else is leaving I can't see any big changes. Mr Stapleton will still be there.

[Stircrazyschoolmum]

Interesting to hear the head is retiring, we went to an open day last year and loved everything about it apart from the head who seemed quite old fashioned and lacking in dynamism. Is there any understanding of who will take over?

[PressTheButton]

I believe the type of tests they use are the GL tests, a little different than Bond. You can buy them in Amazon, WH Smith, etc.

And there is room for some mistakes... we have only found out my DS scored quite high on them (high enough to have been offered a place, historically speaking), which kinda caught me by surprise, since although he's quite good with Maths, he rarely scored 100% when we practiced in the summer.

So don't assume anything and give it a try.

[Skullbiker]

I posted several months ago about the constant bullying of my teenage niece who has attended the school for the last few years . Always the same bullies . School does not back up its promises to act and the zero tolerance they constantly cite is just sound bite for the sake of the marketing of the school . Having being threatened by one of the group and implied he had a knife in his hand in pocket my niece was terrified and when questioned by the school the ( stupid) boy responded “ didn’t pretend I had a knife - it was a gun “ - oh duh . The school made all the noises of dealing with it but did not do as required and involve the outside authorities as required ( “keep it in house” ) . Now 2 weeks later the “ ringleader” and her little gang are back to bullying my niece - both direct and insidious. ( and probably others). My niece has been further victimised by having to stay off school in the past at the schools suggestion and her parents are now at their wits end as their school loving , happy child, is now miserable, sleeps all the time and hates school.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO GRAVENEY unless you are prepared for inaction by the school on their marketing claim of zero tolerance on bullying

[Skullbiker]

Do not trust the Graveney promise.
I posted several months ago about the constant bullying of my teenage niece who has attended the school for the last few years . Always the same bullies . School does not back up its promises to act and the zero tolerance they constantly cite is just sound bite for the sake of the marketing of the school . Having being threatened by one of the group and implied he had a knife in his hand in pocket my niece was terrified and when questioned by the school the ( stupid) boy responded “ didn’t pretend I had a knife - it was a gun “ - oh duh . The school made all the noises of dealing with it but did not do as required and involve the outside authorities as required ( “keep it in house” ) . Now 2 weeks later the “ ringleader” and her little gang are back to bullying my niece - both direct and insidious. ( and probably others). My niece has been further victimised by having to stay off school in the past at the schools suggestion and her parents are now at their wits end as their school loving , happy child, is now miserable, sleeps all the time and hates school.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO GRAVENEY unless you are prepared for inaction by the school on their marketing claim of zero tolerance on bullying