Royal Russell Croydon

[bcplfan]

Anyone with a dc at Royal Russell who could share their views/experiences? Thanks.

I don't have a child there but my DD was offered a place two years ago. Our impressions of the school were largely positive it caters for parents who work long hours so they have extensive after-school support. That goes some way to explaining why the fees are eye-wateringly expensive. The common room system feels very Enid Blyton in a good way. The school is not known for being particularly academic and we found the language provision a bit limited (it might have changed). The buildings and grounds are lovely. We thought the habit of staff dressing in academic robes for entrance exam day a bit unnecessarily pretentious. I believe there is a new head so my impressions might now be out of date.

DH went there. He loved it but says it's not for everyone - some kids just didn't fit in/feel at home. He boarded. He had a lot of structure to his day & did a lot of schoolwork & study outside 'normal' hours but also had lots of opportunity for sport. Got fantastic GCSE & A levels even though before that school (he went in at age 14) he struggled a bit academically.

He says that in his day they had a lot of foreign students, many with English as a 2nd language and so the general level of academic achievement wasn't that high. Also lots of dch of diplomats etc. Lots of Arabs who were brilliant at Maths.

How is Royal Russell doing under the new head? Any changes? (Senior school)