Godolphin and Latymer vs Latymer Upper

[barbosska]

The time for accepting the offers is running out and having read the threads and spoken to parents around, we are still undecided on these two schools. DD likes LU, but is OK to go to GL too. Things I’ve heard about LU are rather scary: no pastoral care, children are burnt out by the time they reach A level, some of them took a year off school to rest, weaker and disruptive intake from Latymer Junior etc, drugs are also often mentioned, but apparently it is an issue at all school. Nevertheless, we like co-ed, as DD was on co-ed and likes it better that girls’ only, but this was when she was a child, and we are coming to teenage years soon.

Are there any parents from Latymer Upper on this thread or people with direct experience of it??? Please put my mind at rest. DD prefers the school, but for me it sounds a bigger risk that GL which many people say has a good pastoral care.

We still did not rule out SHHS completely too…

Thank you

My friends whose dds are at Latymer love the school. They like the mixed environment, they were all previously at a single sex prep school, they aren't 'boy crazy' just like having boys in the classroom too. The friend I'm closest to is happy with her DD's tutor (form teacher). The pupils are set for maths & French and the sets are very fluid at this stage (yrs8 & 9). The pupils I know who are at university did take gap years but this was not because they were 'burnt out', they are now all thriving at their universities. There are only 44 from the Prep in the senior school, the majority of pupils in the upper school are new.

If your dd is desperately unhappy at LU I expect she would be able to move to G&L, I think that would be easier than the other way round. I'm not sure why I'm encouraging you to send your dd to LU, I know someone who'd really like a place and is on the waiting list .

OP I have a DS at LU and I don't recognise your description of the school at all! I think pastoral care may have been an issue in the past but LU have recognised this (or that this was the perception) and put a lot of emphasis on it now. The workload is manageable so far and although standards are high the pupils don't seem to feel pressurised. My DS was the only child from his primary school to go there and settled in very quickly. He has friends who came up from the prep and all seem delightful-he certainly hasn't complained about any of them being disruptive (and I don't think that would be tolerated anyway). We're really pleased we chose the school.

I have a DD in LU now in her second year. We also were torn between G&L and LU and eventually went for LU as it had a better reputation for teaching science and maths, and we got a better vibe from the open day though TBH academically they are about on par with each other. We are very happy with the pastoral care and teaching. DD gets on with her work and is doing well but actually, she is not burdened with lots of homework and is easily able to do after-school activities on 3 days of the week . The cohort from the prep generally seem approachable and don't, on the whole , feel they are "entitled" because of coming from the prep. The presence of the boys seems to be a good influence at times- it challenges DD in maths and computing and they are all just "mates" .
Actually -either school is a good choice and she would probably enjoy either but I recommend LU.

I also have a boy at LU, in year 9, and like Marni I don't recognise your description. Any challenging characters are swiftly dealt with as necessary, in my experience. I think the school is great.

Sporting fields are some distance at LU
I spoke to a boy at Lu about the changes once the girls arrived -very noisy was all he said

Both are great choices

I have a DS at LUS.
There was once an incident, something a child said upset DS. The school's swift reaction was outstanding. Form teacher called us to inform us before DS got home. The other child was made to speak to form teacher and then head of year. 24 hours later DS and this child were best of mates again. And that was the end of it. I was very impressed and felt my child was in good hands.
We love the school. It prides itself in providing a rounded education. Lots of schools say the same but then give the children hours of homework so they have no time to pursue any other interests! LUS are clever enough to know they have a bright cohort which doesn't need to be relentlessly grinded and pushed to get those A*s. So far DS is happy and has time for tons of music, reading, sport, hobbies, etc.
Definitely not an exam factory. Challenging in a good way. Very switched on, vibrant. Pace of learning is fast!

I know how hard it is to choose, OP. Good luck to your DD whatever you decide.

Hi. Barbosska. You sent a pm to me asking for thoughts on LU to which i replied on Sunday. It was a fairly lengthy reply so I hope you do read it.... But in brief, our DS year 7 is very happy at the school (after the normal settling in challenges) and we are really glad he/we chose it.

@barbosska what did you decide in the end and how did it go?

JugglingMadly, we've decided on LU.Year 7 was a walk in the park, as was the Year 8. Year 9 was double the amount of work and Y10-11 is a nightmare.

Pastoral care is non existent. It's a hot house, endless HW, tests, exams, weekly tests, topic tests, etc tests. DD is doing well academically and has good friends, but the amount of pressure from the school is enormous and unhealthy. The school management does not care about it and does not do anything despite of complaints. Some teaching is very good, some is horrible.

There is also fierce competition between the students and comments like "I've got 92% and you've got 91% - you are a stupid idiot", are a regular occurence.

I regret sending here there. Having said that, some people are quite happy, but they are in more junior years.

Crikey.

Gosh @barbosska I have a DC at LU and don't recognise anything you are saying about the school. Certainly not the hot house, endless homework and tests bit. My DC is in Y10 and gets minimal homework and has only ever had end of year exams which I have always thought isn't enough! I don't see much pressure at all. In terms of pastoral care being poor and the management not caring what do you mean? What teaching is horrible? I know its a big school and my one complaint would be that they are too easy on the kids e.g they treat them like adults when sometimes they need to be firmer but nevertheless it just doesn't sound like the same school.

@JugglingMadly
Can’t comment on LU but our daughter in Year 7 at G&L is incredibly happy. Please feel free to DM with any questions.

@Bluebottle2 it certainly does sound like a different school, I suppose it all very much depends on the personal experiences.

I am not sure if you have a daughter or son. Certainly mothers of boys often say that their sons hardly spend any time on homework etc.

Yes @barbosska agreed so much depends on personal experience. You made me smile as yes I have one of those sons that 'hardly gets any homework'!!

Gosh, there seems to be an awful lot of LU bashing going on on these threads right now. I've two dc there and am extremely impressed by the school, I don't see them under excessive pressure like I see friends' dc at other schools, they have great friends and have explored extracurricular challenges I'd have never anticipated they'd embrace. The school have been extremely helpful and supportive on pastoral issues. There are some super-rich kids there but they have those at all London private schools

Pastoral care is non existent. It's a hot house, endless HW, tests, exams, weekly tests, topic tests, etc tests. (...) the amount of pressure from the school is enormous and unhealthy. (...)

Do not recognise this at all. My child had half the HW and pressure than any other child I know in a London super academic school and I've known children at St Paul's, G&L, Westminster, CLSG, City boys, Habs... I have a large circle of friends and we discuss our children's workload!

There is also fierce competition between the students and comments like "I've got 92% and you've got 91% - you are a stupid idiot", are a regular occurence.
Again, welcome to a super academic school. This also happens in grammar schools. Girls tend to be more bitchy than boys. Nothing assures you than having chosen a different school your child would be free of this.

I also don't recognise some of the criticisms of LUS here, especially from Barbossca. I would agree that it is a very big school and certainly my child at times in the earlier years felt 'invisible' but they do grow into themselves and are allowed/encouraged to be individuals. I know they have changed some of the pastoral structures, made form groups smaller, introduced assistant heads of year increased the 6th former pastoral groups that run each week with year 7s etc so that may be better.

It is the furthest a school, could get from being a hothouse - the homework often is light, even in GCSEs years. There is only one set of exams per year - and none in year 7 - some schools have exam week every term and are drilled for GCSE. The 6th form is heavy on work but that is to be expected and unlike many schools they do not just focus on the examined courses but have other compulsory electives, community service and so on. Our experience is that LUS is excellent if an issue is brought to their attention; bullying or unpleasantness is always dealt with seriously and effectively. I haven't heard about the comparisons of grades and unpleasant comments you describe. Students do have high aspirations and do put pressure on themselves as is the case in all the academically selective schools. Staff are perhaps less proactive in spotting problems early on or talents to develop than our other children's schools which have smaller year groups. I think it is true that the less confident child may not be encouraged to take part in drama, music etc. I know they have increased drama opportunities to have more informal events. Except for the elite choirs which are for senior students, the choirs are non-auditioned and have no limit to numbers. The opportunities, if the students take them, are fantastic and it is paradise for the child who wants to get involved in everything.

It goes without saying that the curriculum is innovative and prepares young people to be global citizens and flexible to the changes that will face them in the future. The teachers seem very happy and enthusiastic, which I always think is a really good sign.

I am glad to hear that the above respondents' DC are having a great life at LU. I could have said that perhaps my DC is just unlucky, but I know of another child who was at LU from Year 3 who was burnt out by the end of GCSE and had to leave the school, as did a number of students in her year.

My other friend's DD is also very unhappy, although is doing well academically and has good friends, and will move to another school after 3 years at LU.

Five students were expelled from LU for drugs last year and ended up in St Pauls and Westminster. Not sure what message the other students can get from this: deal drugs, you'll get to another good school?

As to Drama - my DC loves drama and auditioned for a number of plays but did not get a role, except for Year 7 play where they all had roles.

The people who have got roles were from Perform, Stagecoach, etc , i.e. with a prior experience. After being turned down in three audition, DC did not want to go through rejection again and has not tried again. So whist LU drama facilities are great, my DC who may not be naturally good at drama but loves is and tried, did not get anywhere.

LU expelled students dealing with drugs. They ended un in St Paul’s and Westminster? LU did the right thing by expelling those students and dealing with problem quickly. If they ended up in these other schools is worrying.

Getting into a top academic school does not guarantee that the kid is going to cope. Some have been overtutored and some are already burnt down when they start the school.

My child has had roles in plays at LU without having attended Stagecoach, Perform or taken any Lamda exams. The only previous experience was primary school plays.

No school is perfect. No school fits everyone.

The truth is that (almost) every independent school in London has taken pupils who have been asked to leave other schools after drugs incidents. I guess that the Heads recognise that these pupils have made a mistake and deserve a second chance, which I would applaud. However, I am sure they are subject to very close scrutiny until they prove themselves. Having seen the upset and damage that these Year 9 pupils caused their families and themselves, I don't think anyone could say they've had an easy ride into another top school. Barbosska, it sounds as if Latymer was not a good fit for you and your DC. This happens at every school, and there are always some children moving in years 7 & 8. I am surprised you didn't move your child. I worry that your venting on these boards could be putting off families who are considering sending their DC to LU, which I think is an excellent school.

LU year 7 and 8 certainly seems to have a high homework burden in our direct experience. We know other parents that agree with that and some that don't agree. Some of it is a matter of subjective opinion or expectation, some of it will be differing teaching styles.

For our part, they rely too heavily on homework compared to our other child in a top school that gets much less but does just as well.

Crikey, it get weirder and weirder. My dc when in yrs 7/8 had very little homework - it seemed a lot in the first half term of year 7 but then the load rapidly went down for both. Hey ho