Ibstock Place vs Emanuel?

[westwood]

Hi all. Sorry to add another variation on a theme, but I would welcome any thoughts from those who have gone before!
My DS has got places at Emanuel and Ibstock, and we don't know which way to jump. He performs above average at school, (state primary) but only just. Both schools seem good to me, so it's a good problem to have, but I've got no idea which would be better.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Which school is nearer? For the next few years you may be ferrying him to friends at weekends, and/or picking up after evening concerts/plays etc. Which school does he prefer? Academically there doesn't seem much between them - from what I hear they are both becoming more academically demanding schools than in the past.

We have the same "problem"!

Ibstock is nearer though. I just dont know which one to go for either.

whichever is nearer/has the easiest journey - there's very little to choose between them otherwise - both co-ed, similar level academically, similar facilities, both do well by the majority of their pupils - I don't know if fees are set at a similar level so that might be a consideration, but really it's whichever would make your life and your dc's life easier

Another consideration is the sibling policy. Emanuel has one, but Ibstock doesnt!

Yes I agree, go for the one that has an easier journey for the child. Also for you if you suddenly have to turn up to pick up injured child, or watch a match etc.

I'd go for the one nearest to you too. Both quite similar though I preferred Emanuel. Ibstock is changing from quite laid back academically but that could be true of Emanuel now given the huge increase in those who sat 11+ this year.

Ibstock under a Head who took over in 2000, has been aiming to move away from being the less academic school where you send your arty DC, to competing with the more academic schools for a few years now, so that there have been some refugees amongst DDs peers, both those who are bright who have found the resulting cramming and pressurising of a not so selective intake for exams not very stimulating and those with Specific Learning Difficulties who have not found the support in place they needed, effectively excluding them. They do not have a Learning Support Unit, or permanent learning support teachers, something more selective schools do have. It may be the Head has now got where she wants to go in terms of intake etc but there have certainly been casualties along the way.

Ds was offered a place at both; if we'd had to choose between the two it would have been Emanuel, for the reasons Copthall has stated. It was made pretty clear that any extra support would have to be paid for, and a friend was told that they don't 'do' dyslexia. Having said that we know people with children there who are happy with it.

I would add that though prospective parents might not think Dyslexia or other Specific Learning Difficulties are an issue for them, other schools, even the most selective, will early on do testing to highlight the possibility that any pupils have any specific learning difficulties and will continue to look out for warning signs. They find that by the time of GCSEs around 10% of their intake will have had a diagnosis. Specific Learning Difficulties are not just difficulties with reading, writing and spelling but also processing and other difficulties which may not be apparent until working at a higher level, and occur in 10% of the population regardless of their level of ability. Providing the right support is given then pupils will go on to have outstanding results in exams and schools are therefore increasingly aware of the need to have in place strategies for providing support with, at least, a full time member of specialist staff responsible for developing strategy and implementing it and when best practise, study skills centres like that at Hampton www.hamptonschool.org.uk/The-School/Academic/Learning-Support.aspx and Latymer www.latymer-upper.org/learning-support.html When you visit a school that has good learning support provision they will show a real enthusiasm for supporting pupils with SpLDs recognising they have strengths as well as weaknesses and can make a positive contribution to the classroom as well as be enabled to do well academically.

Charging extra for a course that aim to equip students with study skills strategies, and having to pay for the external assessments with Educational Psychologists that would not be unusual though.

My heart says Emanuel.
But ds can walk to Ibstock in less than 15 minutes. Cycle in 5.

I do however think that he could benefit greatly from

1. The nurturing element and pastoral care of Emanuel
2. The Christian ethos

Have been lurking on this thread out of interest even though I have several years before having to worry about it all . No direct experience but certainly at DC's small friendly SW London primary, Emmanuel seems to be far more popular than Ibstock Place despite lots of offers at both and IP being much nearer.

We thought Ibstock ticked so many boxes for us last year, being co-ed with great emphasis on arts and music and probably the loveliest campus around, but we were horrified by the way the head teacher spoke to the children and parents on the interview day. She was very patronising and put us off completely. Of the many places offered to children from our primary school only 1 accepted the place.

Same quandary!Ds offered a place in both schools.both are equidistant to us.attended emanuel open morning today.
Met the headmaster and the head of year.Both showed interest in Ds; asking him questions.Liked the headmaster vision for school.Seemed that emanuel is better in pastoral care.
That's said; couple of kids down our street go to ibstock.Well rounded, friendly,delightful kids.Friends with Ds as well.Still he prefered emanuel
Today's open morning seemed to convince him even more.

That is true swpurple, despite off-putting head and general change in direction, the kids I know who go to Ibstock and whom I met when looking around are really nice, really friendly and laid-back and they love the place. It's hard when it's your nearest school (as it is for us) and it is a fab campus (though I wondered if I'd wandered into a 5* hotel at times - all those enormous vases of flowers on very shiny, nice tables). The very reason I didn't sit DS for it so I wouldn't have a dilemma. That and head's outdated attitude to SEN.

Castle, agree with the '5 star hotel'.The fresh flowers had the wow factor!DD; who is in Y8 from local GDST school, was suitably impressed.Dragged her along to open days.wanted her views as well.
Finally opted for Emanuel for DS.seemed better fit for him.

Ask the Y11's why so many of them want to leave Ibstock rather than stay on for 6th form - I hear lots of negative things from those that have been there for a few years - quite an eye opener

can I ask what current feelings are of parents with dcs at both Emanuel / Ibstock ? I have heard such mixed things about both, but from an academic point of view they seem pretty much on a par.

My gut feeling says Emanuel but my ds says he prefers Ibstock (possibly because Emanuel don't play footie!).

any thoughts would be much appreciated.

BUMP

I'm certain football has been / is being introduced to Emanuel

Football also quite high up in DS's decision making factors !!!

I was told at the open day that boys indeed start playing football but from September 2020. From my discussion at the open day I think they are really trying to invest in more sports but it will all take a bit of time... think Rugby is still the main boys sport at ES.

We didn’t apply to Ibstock this time around, put off by having to take 2 languages to GCSE and the smugness around their Christian ethos. Friends at Emanuel love it although describe it fondly as ‘chaotic’