South West London Secondary Schools, I am stumped.

[QuintessentialShadows]

My mind is spinning with the schools "of choice", and I am hoping somebody with actual knowledge will tell me a little bit:

St Celia
Ashcroft Technology College
John Bosco College

Christs

Gunnersbury Catholic school for boys

Wimbledon College

Kingston Grammar
Ibstock Place
Emanuel School
Kings College Wimbledon

I have a spread sheet, and I am trying to jot down important info, and plan visits. But I just feel that my mind has frozen, and I reach for coffee and chocolate, and neither help....

[QuintessentialShadows]

And we were really impressed with Christs today.

[florenceuk]

QS did you look at Kingston Grammar (sorry we just seem to be following you around) - we liked it, a good all-round school with what looked like good academics, sport not really a consideration for us though unlike some mothers of boys. The co-ed thing possibly a distraction judging from the amount of giggling going on in classes. We met friends there looking for their children - in the limited time available they had looked at the music, drama, arts and the gym - we had looked at science, classics, history and geography. Which says something about what people focus on!

[ChippyMinton]

QS I have PM'ed you

[QuintessentialShadows]

Florence, by some twist of fate, we missed it.

We were due to go on Thursday, but because the boys had done such sterling home work, we decided to go to the skate park first. Well, bad move as a boy on a bmx bike collided in ds2 on his skateboard, and he hurt his fingers so badly he thought three were broken. He is not usually one to cry, but was inconsolable. So, we decided to go Saturday.
We just wanted to view Ibstock first. I had a really bad fall on the way back to the car and badly sprained my ankle.
We are obviously meant to stay away from Kingston Grammar... But we know a friends daughter is happy there.

Thanks Chippy, I got it.

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

So, I understand the newly appointed head of St Richard Reynolds in Twickenham is Christs current HT?

How will this affect Christs?? Does anybody know who the new head will be at Christs?

[greengrape]

How interesting! But he's been there a good few years - time for a fresh face?

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

Well, he turned Christs around, and he has experience working in other Catholic Secondary as deputy, so I think, in my very modest humble opinion, that he is a good choice for the new head. But, I am keen to know who will be the new head at Christs!

[greengrape]

He's done a good job although it had already been on the way up for a couple of years when he started. The school has also benefited from a new primary virtually next door feeding in a lot of its pupils. There'll be a few new challenges for the next head - more competition from neighbouring schools, increasing to 150 pupils, establishing a new sixth form.

[therugratref]

I am also an Emanuel parent. My Ds started in the Hill form, he has blossomed at Emanuel. He went in doubting himself and shy, he now has many friends, is achieving well and adores his school

[castlesintheair]

How funny about Richard Burke becoming the new Catholic Secondary Head! I only said that might be the case today. I don't think he's that impressive actually. I think the main reason for the improvement in Christ's is increase in local children going there and yes, greengrape, the number of children (although not actually that many) going there from Marshgate has made a difference. Once I hear who the new head is at Christ's I will let you know!

therugratref, that is good to hear about Emanuel. It is on DS's list.

[laughtergoodmedicine]

quintessential sounds an interesting child. Hope you get the right school

[SweetSkull]

I know it's a dread thread but I'm happy to read good feedback about St. Cecilia.
We live near by, we fit the faith criteria (I think), and my DC is into arts and music.
Anyone can comment on sports there please?
TIA

[SweetSkull]

DEAD thread, not dread...

[Londonlady48]

St Cs - there are sports teams at the school there is certainly a football and netball team. A fair few pupils take GCSE P.E and the P.E staff are very nice and enthusiastic. GCSE Dance is also a popular option and not just for the non academic. Provision is on a par with most London comps, i.e pretty average. As you know the school has no grounds to speak of which hampers things although some pupils go to Barn Elms for after school stuff. In short I think it is fair to say that sports are not a strong point for the school but there is provision. Same story at Ashcroft I believe.
Wimbledon College is the best place for sports in the area but it is Catholic and boys. It has superb facilities and academically it does very well.

[LostinLondon]

Have you heard of the new secondary opening in Fulham for boys? Looks really good on paper - only opening on a temporary site but went to the Open Day last week and the sport in particular looks really good. The Headmaster seemed very impressive.

[jokebook]

LostinLondon Where is it opening? Is this Fulham Boys School? I think the proposed site is currently a primary school and they are fighting back as they have been threatened with closure and merger with another nearby primary school, thus freeing up their site for Fulham Boys School. I had heard they were planning to become an academy in order to stay open under a different non LEA guise. This means FBS will need to find another site which may not be easy in this borough. Maybe probe this when you are investigating FBS. Otherwise I agree that the proposals look good on paper.

[SweetSkull]

Thanks for answering about sports as St Cs.

I have a girl (Y2) who is very active and fit but not necessarily 'into' any particular sport a part from swimming, jogging or riding her bike, so I think we can cover these outside the school, can't we?

She is more into arts (painting/drawing) and says she wants to be a book illustrator and paint pictures etc.

She is also good at Drama.

I don't think we will be able to afford Private by the time she is going secondary school and I am not sure if she will be academic enough for grammar (I have a meeting with SENCO tomorrow as she is probably 'slightly' dyslexic - her teacher's words-), however I don't have a clue about grammar schools, dyslexia, or even secondary schools things at all...that is why I am here.

oh and how do pupils get to Barn Elms?

[Leinster1]

QS, is there any chance you could send your spreadsheet? We're just about to move back to SW London from overseas and could do with as much help as possible! No problem if you'd rather not. Cheers.

[Emilie1]

Hello,

Could anyone recommend an English and Math tutor for Hampton School?

Please feel free to PM me.

Thank you very much

Emilie

[nocampinghere]

your ds is at the Mall. do you really think you need tutoring to get into Hampton from the Mall?

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

Emilie, The Mall is an academic nut house with very close links to Hampton and usually gets in excess of 20 offers. Last year 13 went to Hampton with 7 academic scholarships and the 8 who went to St Pauls and KCS would have received offers as well (and possibly the boarders) making a total of at least 21 offers from 30 odd boys. If he needs tutoring to get in from The Mall it is not the right school.

Have you looked at St Georges? Reeds? Epsom College? St Johns? Is boarding an option? I am sure you want your DS to be happy so find the right school for him.