City of London Freemen's Ashtead

[racingheart]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone has children at this school or knows much about it (Yr 7 onwards.) Looked at it today and although it doesn't seem very pushy and academic they got more people into Oxbridge this year than Hampton did. Lots of Russell group and strong art/drama colleges too, so it seems like a real possibility for all-rounders. I liked that it's co-ed - the first we've looked at. But...they had no work on display so it was very hard to gauge what the children were up to day by day.

The area is very pushy though! Private tuition here and there...Their policy of no one is on a pedestal conflicts with the reality of many chldren walking around with badges (mostly sports related).

Heard it is a wonderful school and is for all-rounders. I guess the oxbridge applicants are just some of the very intelligent ones which there would be in any all-rounder school. However, a friend of mine who has a dyslexic dd says it is amazing in boosting her confidence and she is really happy . I think it is the sort of school that is just very welcoming and anyone can come providing they are going to try.

Thanks for replies. Not much we can do about the area, pastoral, that;s where we live. I see what you mean about the badges and the blazers, but we were struck by how happy and confident all the children seemed to be.
Fleet that's good to know. It ties in with what we thought.

I'm not sure it's quite right for our children, but am still perplexed by how Hampton which is far harder to get into and seems far more academic, has such similar uni achievements from their pupils.

I meant pushy in a good way. Parents are involved with their children and help them to achieve wherever they go...I am questioning the value added by the school. I have friends who have children there, they use a lot of tutors...!!

Do they? That's very telling. I don't mind tutoring to supplement state education but for private...I think not. That's really helpful. Thank you.
You seem to know the area - where do you think is worth a look? We are going for RGS and Hampton but want a good fall back if the boys don't make the grade for these.

I am not surprised about them getting more pupils into Oxbridge than Hampton as I have several friends with children there and it appears to be a very pushy school. I was impressed when I went to look at it a few years ago but, in retrospect, am glad that my dcs are not there. As far as I know, it is quite competitive to get in to.

The most unpleasant child in my ds's year left to go there which puts me off straight away !

I had no idea. It has a reputation for being laid back and arty.

Would be interested in the reasons why people decide to use tutors AND pay fees? Is it because a school isn't good enough, to keep up with the pace (e.g. pushy school) or to try to get the very top grades? Or a combination / other reasons?

To get the top grades. It's not because you pay the fees that you get a better education, it all depends on the school and the teacher. there are some bad teachers in the private sector....Some schools teache to the test, a lot of reviews before the tests....All the tricks....

teach