The Cedars School, Croydon

[schoolsdontyerlovethem]

Just wondering how parents at the newly opened Cedars School are finding it? Particularly interested in how they are finding the quality of teaching, range of subjects/extra curriculum activities?

[ChesterBelloc]

@Margaret10, I'm sure the school will be happy to fully inform you as to their current GCSE provision, and plans for further expansion in the future - especially as I think you're a current parent?

Their teachers are in no different a position to every GCSE teacher in the country, all of whom are having to learn/deliver new syllabi 'on their feet', thanks to Mr. Gove.

[SUPERBETA]

We are Brazilian and we live in Brazil. My 14 year old son is studying at an Opus Dei school for boys only in São Paulo. We want him to go to exchange and who knows how to continue his studies in England. We have total confidence in the members of Opus Dei. My son told me that all of them are of better quality and they only seek the good of people. The school he studies in São Paulo is still small and everyone knows each other - it's a real family. The mentoring system is exceptional because in addition to the tutors talking to students about all issues - academic or otherwise - they tell parents the truth about their children - positive and negative aspects.
We are in contact with THE CEDARS SCHOOL for him to go study in September of this year -2018. He will be staying at the home of a school teacher who has a little older son. Me and a half husband are excited but afraid!
I would like to know: 1- Is there bullyng in school - are students from other countries well accepted? 2- Does the school have a strong academic level? Does anyone have 13, 14 or 15 year olds at school? How many students does each class have?

[SUPERBETA]

We are Brazilian and we live in Brazil. My 14 year old son is studying at an Opus Dei school for boys only in São Paulo. We want him to go to exchange and who knows how to continue his studies in England. We have total confidence in the members of Opus Dei. My son told me that all of them are of better quality and they only seek the good of people. The school he studies in São Paulo is still small and everyone knows each other - it's a real family. The mentoring system is exceptional because in addition to the tutors talking to students about all issues - academic or otherwise - they tell parents the truth about their children - positive and negative aspects.
We are in contact with THE CEDARS SCHOOL for him to go study in September of this year -2018. He will be staying at the home of a school teacher who has a little older son. Me and a half husband are excited but afraid!
I would like to know: 1- Is there bullyng in school - are students from other countries well accepted? 2- Does the school have a strong academic level? Does anyone have 13, 14 or 15 year olds at school? How many students does each class have?

[10Children]

Hi Superbeta. Great to know that your son will be coming to The Cedars for the year from Brazil. We have had many pupils from overseas ever since the school started so all the boys are very used to them and accept them totally. They make some very good strong friendships, many of which carry on after they leave.

If there is any bullying then I am sure it is dealt with very promptly and professionally and certainly will not be tolerated. I haven't heard of any myself. The school does have a high academic level - it's first set of public exam results last year were very strong and we are currently waiting for this year's results. The teaching faculty is very experienced.

My son is just 16 and has been there since the school started in 2013. We are very happy with it. Class sizes differ slightly depending on the year but are generally on average around 18 I believe. Higher up the school this is slightly dependent on which subjects are chosen for GCSE so many classes are smaller than this.

I hope this has helped you. It is a tough thing letting your child go to school so far away for a year. Our eldest son did the same and whilst we missed him greatly and he took a while to settle, it was one of the best things we did. He now sees it as a turning point in his life.
Best of luck

[Montimeow]

Have read all these comments with interest.
Just waiting on an interview date for our son and us.
Does anyone have any interview tips or can remember the type of questions asked?
We all loved the school each time we have visited for open days, exams and sports assessments. We know they take all aspects into account when offering so want to be as prepared as possible for the interview.
Also anyone know how generous they are with sports scholarship discounts? There is no indication anywhere as to how much you might likely get off fees?
Any information would be gratefully received.

[ChesterBelloc]

Hi there. Our son started at The Cedars this September. As far as I remember, there weren't really formal 'interviews', just an informal chat with the Headmaster (for parents), and a senior member of staff (for our son). There is also the separate entrance exam (English and Maths).

I think their main concern is to establish that prospective parents understand what kind of school it is, what its main aims are, and that this is what they want for their child - as it's crucial that parents and school are on the same page.

I can't give you any information regarding sports scholarships, but I think academic scholarships usually go up to 20%. Perhaps you could ring the school and ask the secretary there if she could give you a rough idea, or signpost you to someone who can..?

Good luck! It's a lovely school.

[Montimeow]

Thanks for the info
We had our interview on Thursday evening. Seemed to go very well! You were right very informal, we were interviewed by the assistant head who really just chatted to us about the school and what we wanted for our son. Our son was interviewed by a senior teacher who asked him the usual questions what’s your favourite subject, what do you read, and do you know the school motto (which thankfully I had made sure he did!) just have to wait now for that hopefully offer arriving on the mat on Valentine’s Day!!!

[Leatherdead]

Cedars is an excellent school. Its reputation is on the rise and the school is starting to turn the heads of Catholic parents as far afield as mid-Surrey, despite some excellent local state secondary alternatives (St Andrews, St Bede's).

[ChesterBelloc]

Glad it went well, Monti. Best of luck!

[Montimeow]

Our son has been offered a place for September 19 with a 20% sports scholarship. We are all delighted 😁

[ChesterBelloc]

Congrats to your son, Monti!

Maybe we'll meet in September

[DivM]

My son has got selected in both Royal Russell and Cedars, he is more inclined to go to RS. Any suggestion or connects to parents whose children goes to these schools will be very helpful?

[ChesterBelloc]

Hi DivM, I'm a parent there; I've just posted on your other thread.