Newstead Wood School, Bromley

[JuliesMum]

My daughter is in Year 4 and we're beginning to think about some possible secondary options to visit during Year 5. We live in Bromley. I am a teacher, although I teach in Croydon so I know more about Croydon schools than Bromley ones.

We're hopefully in the catchment area for Langley Park which I've heard very positive things about. I think dd would get on very well there. She's fairly easy going and enthusiastic about things but knows her mind at the same time. However she is doing well in her class and has good levels so I'm wondering about the grammar school, Newstead Wood. I'd be interested to hear thoughts on this school because I've heard mixed reports on it, particularly about pastoral care and behaviour management. Reading between the lines in the last 2 Ofsteds I'm wondering if some parents aren't always as happy as the inspectors seem to be. Does anyone have any views?

[mhello7]

Hi,
Please could you tell me what is the best travel option from Catford to Newisead Wood Grammar School?

[Astronotus]

Welcome to MN, your first post. Your DD recently joined the school, as in last Sept? Interesting that you have resurrected a zombie post to give such an incredibly positive post. To banish unfavourable or mixed posts it's best to let it die. Now everyone will read the whole thread, which is not all favourable.

[PotatoPotahto]

My daughter recently joined the community of Newstead Wood School, and she is extremely pleased with the high standards of both the schoolwork and caring. Most of the teachers there dedicate themselves to helping the students to the furthest possible extent, by paying close attention to each individual, and providing advice and a helping hand when needed. In her opinion, Newstead Wood can make anyone feel at home and she thouroughly recommends it to anyone considering.

[PettsWoodParadise]

DD = Dear Daughter
DS = Dear Son
Etc

See this thread which is very comprehensive about all the acronyms
www.mumsnet.com/info/acronyms

[Bazwoman]

Thanks again Pettswoodparadise. I think it's crazy early as well but many people in my situation are already talking about this (one of my friend's still hasn't given birth yet)! I just need to trust my instincts.

Btw: what does dd stand for? Probably a stupid question

[PettsWoodParadise]

P.s congratulations to all those who sat the test last month and who got their letters with the results today. Whatever the result your DDs have worked hard. If anyone needs help deciphering a result either pop over to the elevenplusforum or post here and I’ll be happy to help.

[PettsWoodParadise]

None of the schools except perhaps Braeside teach the eleven plus. Some independents will post their leaver destinations but they often charge even more for eleven plus tutor groups after school. State schools aren’t allowed to prep for the eleven plus. Schools like Bickley Park (a boys one) tend to teach the common entrance for top selective indies. It is impossible to know at 9 months if a school like NW would suit your DD. The main defining factor is parental input. We home familiarised despite DD being in a selective independent prep school. Most even at Indies will have tutors if they are aiming for selective independents or grammars. One thing for for certain is that in Orpington you have a huge choice of secondary schools. Depending on where you are it may be the same for primary too. When the time comes take a look and see which suits your DD the most.

[Bazwoman]

Thanks Pettswoodparadise! I guess the reason why I'm posting on this thread is because some local mums are telling me in order to get into a good secondary (say Nw) I already need to start thinking about the best primary? All a bit of minefield sadly!

[PettsWoodParadise]

Hi Bazwoman and welcome to the area. I think you need to start your own thread either in the primary school area or on the local board rather than on an existing thread, appreciate it can be confusing if you are new to MN. It is a bit early as schools can change and you don't yet really know what sort of school your DD will suit yet. Start with the booklet that Bromley produces www.bromley.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/3171/applying_for_a_school_place_2018.pdf that includes last distance offered for schools that use that as a criteria. This can of course all change depending on how many houses they build near a particular school, the birth rate for your year, how many families with children the same school year as your DD want the same school as you want.

For Independent schools for girls in the area there are the selective single sex ones like Bromley High and then the non-selective co-ed ones like Babington (co-ed in Primary, then later all girls) and Farringtons. Some go all the way through like Bromley High is 4-18, some specialise in getting their pupils into selective schools at aged 11 like Braeside.

[Bazwoman]

Hello there. I'm a bit of an inexperienced user of Mumsnet, so apologies in advance if this message appears 5 times. This seems like an old thread, but am hopeful it can get picked up again. I'm a new mother to a beautiful 9 month old girl that's just moved into the Orpington area. I know this seems wildly premature, but you wouldn't believe how many other parents are asking me about schools already (I just went to my local - decisions were much easier in the 80s!). Can anyone give me any advice on primaries? What are the best ones (state or fee paying) are better in the area?

[sobz70]

Same situation here! DD has been offered NW and she also wants to go there and rates it above all other schools. However due to everything I am hearing about - I get more and more confused everyday. Anymore NW parents willing to share their thoughts? I hope I won't regret choosing Newstead over Townley.

[PettsWoodParadise]

Yes they have an interim head, he is on his second year. There is a national shortage of Headteachers but the governors are not about to take just anybody, that is part of why the previous head left and the school had a bit of a hard year while she was in post. It is good she left. The interim head is doing a really great job. Lessons well learned by the Governors.

It isn't hard to be in if you don't have much money. Yes like all state schools they will ask for voluntary contributions. Yes there are optional school trips but no different from any other state school from what I can tell. The blazers start from £29 and they have a second hand uniform sale. The PE kit is annoyingly embroidered so that is hard to get second hand unless you are keen on unpicking an embroidered on name! For those on FSM they operate a card system and those on FSM have an identical card that gets topped up so there is no way of them being identified unless the child volunteers the information. Financially they are in better shape now following a £1m capital grant for rooves and windows. All schools are struggling but NW does have a great couple of groups that raise funds. Yes they spend more on teachers than most schools but that helps make the class sizes smaller and also fewer inexperienced teachers. If you want glossy then NW certainly isn't the school. Ultimately we let DD decide, I loved Tonbridge but she preferred NW. She identified with the girls and she is so much happier than when a junior school, she says no one is too cliquey and they all seem really supportive of each other. I know that may change as more hormones kick in going up the school but that is how it is now. I did like Townley too, especially the head (that could change!) and their computing but DD just didn't 'get' the girls who she met showing her round so it ended up being more subjective for her which we were happy with as ultimately if she feels content with the choice she is more invested in making it work out.

[nunuche01]

thank you so much for taking the time to reply PettsWoodParadise. I am glad to hear that your daughter is enjoying being at NW. To answer your questions, my daughter rates NW above everything else. She just loved it whereas I was not impressed at all. Distance to the school is not relevant right now to us, as we are planning on moving closer to whichever school she is given in March to avoid long commute for DD

You mentioned something interesting on your post : the lack of permanent head(?); I also read that they are struggling financially. How is it impacting students?

Someone mentioned above that it is a difficult school to be in if you are not well off and that worries me too

Sorry for all these questions. I find the UK education system a bit confusing.

[PettsWoodParadise]

No NW is not that bad. It won't suit every girl, just like every school. It did have a bad head for a short while but that head is now gone. I too had my concerns. I read so much stuff it did my head in. DD is happy, doing well and no regrets about the decision. Which school is nesrest to you and which did your DD like best? DD didn't like the compulsory dance at Townley but we loved the facilities and computing. We also liked the fact the class sizes at NW would be about five pupils fewer per class than at Townley. For us the journey made it simpler too as NW is so much closer.

[nunuche01]

Hello everyone. I know this thread is old, but I am in a dilemma here and hope someone with a DC at Newstead Wood can enlighten me.
My daughter absolutely loves NW and should normally be offered a place there in March. She wants me to put NW as her first choice and Townley as second.
I am reading not very good things about NW, and it seems like every parent and teacher at DD's school has some kind of horror story to tell me about NW. To the point that I have been trying really hard to sway my DD's decision to put it as first choice, to no avail. She absolutely won't budge .

My question is : is NW really that bad? poor pastoral care? bullying? bad teachers?too much pressure put on the girls? unhealthy competition?

I do not want to take away from my daughter her right to choose her own school, but I am terrified it might be the wrong school for her.

I have 2 days to change her mind or leave things as they are. Please kindly advise

[HardcoreLadyType]

I posted on this thread a few years ago under a different name. My DD has now moved to a different sixth form.

She was happy there in the earlier years, but there have obviously been some pastoral disasters in recent years, which did affect her.

Hopefully lessons have been learned, but if I had DDs at the school, I would watch this aspect like a hawk!

[PettsWoodParadise]

I realise this old thread has just been redirected but seeing as it has so would say that DD is loving this school. The quality of the teachers is ace. The thought that goes into the curriculum and activities around it excellent. Pastoral care is strong and the balance between academic and non-academic subjects very good. The ethos is about parents, governors and students all pulling together and I can't fault the school to date (DD only started in September). It is so much better than the selective and oversubscribed independent school DD was in previously to aid some sort of comparison.

[gilmoregir1]

I am a bit late to the table but i would disagree because my DD goes there and we have found the pastoral care there to be good! She has loved it and would go there again over another school if she had the choice!

[Petrasmumma]

Mixed view on NWS. The teaching/support varies wildly, the class sizes have increased and the pastoral care is non existent. Having said that, if your dd is motivated and capable, being surrounded by similar girls is enormously valuable.

[ellewhite]

There is no bullying at Newstead and if there was ... I doubt anyone believes this (sorry). Every school deals with bullying at one point or another.

It's honourable you want to defend your school and I am glad to hear you like it, however it isn't suitable for everyone and some merely do not take the entry test out of choice.

I visited the school on open day and was very disappointed with the facilities, work on display and overall atmosphere. Even some teachers were honest enough to confirm, it's simply overcrowded.

No one can guarantee a child will be happy at any school. I believe as parents we do our very best to achieve this, but sadly one never has ‘the guarantee’ as this depends on numerous factors beyond our control. My DD will not be going to NW and frankly I’m very happy about our choice.

[BLBMM]

Thanks you so much for giving me lots of infos.

[fuzzpig]

I went there, started in 1998. Academically, I loved it, and I am sure I was happier than I would've been at a comprehensive, being a very geeky, academic type. I loved the work, the challenge and the high standards.

Pastorally I was not so happy. It is a very difficult school to be in if you are not well off financially or if you have any problem at all TBH. You get a narrow view of life, I think, it is a bit of a bubble. I left in yr10 after a breakdown, with the feeling that they only really cared if you were a normal happy girl. There were a few teachers who weren't like that, some of whom I am still in touch with.

I think had I been a normal happy girl without a lot of shit to deal with at home, I would've been fine there, and in some ways I'd love to send my own DD there in the future, but having seen the 'darker' side of it, I don't think I could.

I am sad that I have this view of it as I do think in most ways it is a very good school.

I know this is an old thread but if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

[BLBMM]

How many schools shall I put on the application for secondary form? Good reasons for Grammar Schools, Coloma or Langley Park for Gils. Many thanks

[zamantha]

When I saw the queue for the test, I thought my Dd didn't have a chance in hell. She is now very happy there. My DD was affected by prestige of place at first - think some parents are too. It honestly seems, once there, a very ordinary school with girls who simply passed the test on the day. But they do have so many enrichment activities that make it quite exciting.