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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

St. James boys school ashford

27 replies

TinTan1 · 04/03/2014 20:45

I'm going to see this school, as an option for my son who is very sporty and academically average but keen. Can anyone tell me about this school? I hear mixed views

OP posts:
Lemony1 · 05/03/2014 21:26

I know there was an enquiry into historic abuse at the school which you might want to look into. Also check out its connections with the School of Economic Science.

gingerbeard · 06/03/2014 09:35

I think the key word here is "historic" - sadly St James are not exactly alone in this. We looked at the school for our DS, who is now going to a school nearer to us. I work in education, and I was impressed by the school and the boys. Coincidentally, we now know two families with sons there who are very happy and settled. St James and St James girls schools both seem a good choice for children who are not hugely academic, but will thrive with a little less pressure. It is vegetarian, and they do mediation. But then so did I 30 years ago at my state Grammar - only it was called "clear you mind" time then! Go and make up your own mind. It's definitely worth a look.

Eastpoint · 07/03/2014 06:49

My friend's son is there. She & he are very happy with the school, he is in the cadets which he really enjoys, plays rugby, has been in the plays etc. They offer a BTEC in business in the 6th form which gives less academic boys a way of getting to a good university. Boys travel from a wide area, there is a coach from Hammersmith & Chiswick iirc, boys also live in Putney, Richmond & Kew.

matilde · 07/03/2014 10:35

It always makes me smile when anyone asks about St James and one of the first things people say is about historic abuse - a long long long time ago apparently and nothing at all to do with the school now. Go see the school, talk to people who have boys at the school etc. My son is now in Year 9 there and he loves it. He is very sporty too and is in lots of the school teams, he was academically average too but St James has been the making of him - he is doing extremely well there. The kids are all lovely as are the teachers, the facilities there are fantastic too and money being spent to make it even better. My boy is happy and confident when friends of his elsewhere aren't so happy and a big part of that has to be the school. In fact, the only thing he doesn't like about the school is the lunch....but I hear that across all schools to be honest. Good luck with your search.

Original poster
TinTan1 · 07/03/2014 20:20

Thank you everyone for your comments. V helpful and reassuring. I read somewhere that majority of staff are SES ...does this matter? I really loved it but can't quite commit and I'm not sure why.. I think Ill go again with DH this time.

OP posts:
Eghamite · 07/03/2014 20:55

The meditating is simply standing behind their chairs at the start of every lesson for a few moments to reflect on what is to come. It's fairly healthy. The students can choose their own thoughts, and some may include Christian prayer. Nothing is imposed apart from the actual silence.

muckleflugga · 04/04/2014 15:02

I would endorse what Matilde has said. My DS is in yr 10 and has thrived there. It's a lovely nurturing environment. He loves the sport, cadets and the school trips. His friends who are not so sporty enjoy the drama activities. He's not keen on the lunches but its not that much of an issue.

QualityControl · 05/04/2014 22:31

I have heard negative things about pastoral care when DC don't settle in well.

cazzer2362 · 24/06/2014 10:19

Many thanks for the info on the St James Senior boys School thread, I have found the feedback most useful. I am considering the school for my son who is currently in year 5 but wanted to find out more about mumsnet's experience of the pastoral care as my son is dyspraxic (fighting hard against his challenges though) He needs a nurturing environment although he is actually very academic and competitive. I read one comment but would be interested to find out a bit more.
I felt that St James had such and environment when I visited the school but I am still on the fence after a recent experience. Would love to hear from anyone who has similar challenges. Thanks

Elibean · 24/06/2014 17:47

I have a friend whose ds (who had a few pastoral issues) has been very happy there, in spite of struggling academically. He's a much more confident person than he used to be, lovely lad.

That said, we looked at St James girls' for my dd (Y5) and in spite of lots of positives, I had a sort of uncomfortable feeling about it. Not on hearsay, or gossip, just my own instincts. I don't think it would be right for my dd, so we've taken it off the list.

Original poster
TinTan1 · 25/06/2014 07:14

Elibean.. This is how I felt, DS offered a place... I declined on a gut feel.

OP posts:
CaringParent111 · 08/07/2015 12:53

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Sammy8 · 06/02/2019 20:03

Hello all! I'm looking at St James for my son. I like that they are vegetarian and the meditation is very good idea. Does anyone know what the 11+ assessments are like? I'm worried he may nor get through the English assessment? Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Yoghurtpeanutsx · 06/02/2019 21:08

My DS is in his final year at St James Senior Boys. The meditation is fine but be warned the vegetarian lunch offering is not all its cracked up to be!! My son hates it and is comes home starving every day. Despite changing caterers a couple of times during his time there, they never get it right in his opinion (and he is not a fussy eater). Re. the 11+ assessments, I am not sure if anything has changed since DS did it but they interview all applicants and are genuinely very interested in the individual & not just the results.

pucela74happysun · 07/02/2019 12:19

Very interested in knowing more about this school!. Any current parents out there could share their opinions please?
My DS has an offer to start in Sep19 and debating between our local very strict school or St James Senior. He is academically average, but loves his football (but open to more sports), musical, arty and very interested in computers.
I understand IT facilities are not that modern? same as internet connection?
Thank you!

Yoghurtpeanutsx · 07/02/2019 13:02

Internet connection is fine and IT facilities no better or worse that other schools - certainly don't let that put you off!!! A good school for an academically average child IMO.

averythinline · 07/02/2019 13:21

I wasnt sure about it originally as was not thinking all boys but my DS loves it....cadets/teachers ...and even the food -
it seems quite simple food to me but he does say some others dont like it ...
most of the teaching seems good and some really inspiring DS mixed profile brightness and really doesnt react well to stress/pressure in other 11+ and didnt do well in one of the entrance papers but the teacher interviewing and him chatted away so they do really seem to be about the child as a character as much as results...they have some great opportunities and he is happy and not stressed

they really do seem to think about education in its widest sense....

averythinline · 07/02/2019 13:25

my DS likes sports ish bit not great at it and they have got him so fit...and hes tried new stuff...and has even enjoyed rugby (hadnt played before)
one of his friend is really into football and they do football teams but the main winter sport is rugby so its twice a week in winter terms....his football loving friend has picked that up well...i get the feeling the sports coaching is very good.

Boysarefab · 10/02/2019 16:29

My DS goes to St James and he is very happy there. He likes the food and there are a lot of food options. Although I am sure there are some that don’t (possibly because it has the vegetarian tag rather than the food!)
In my experience the teachers and teaching is excellent. I think they get the boys achieving their potential. Maths, English and languages are set. They have a boy going to Cambridge this year and many go to RG universities. They interview all boys at selection and it isn’t all about the academics. I have no concerns on the academic side, in fact I think they do incredibly well as they don’t only select the top 5%. If you look for example at their A level results, 67% of boys who took maths got an A*/A (Hampton was 72%).
Main sports are rugby, hockey, cricket. Football more recently introduced I think.
Overall we have been very happy as DS is happy!

pucela74happysun · 11/02/2019 13:55

Thank you for your replies and for taking the time! Really appreciate current parents opinions.
Would you think the boys live locally, or mostly come by train from other places? Would you say is diverse?
Do yours do any music?

Yoghurtpeanutsx · 11/02/2019 14:29

I may be wrong but my impression is that a lot of boys come by train from South West London. The train service is generally excellent believe it or not. My son has taken the 20 minute journey from Putney for the past 6 years and its nearly always been on time and any disruption has been minimal. No music for us except choir in the early years.

pucela74happysun · 11/02/2019 17:57

Great to hear that! We're also in Putney. I take it there will be a few boys taking the same trains everyday?

Yoghurtpeanutsx · 11/02/2019 20:31

Yes probably half a dozen or so in Putney and then a lot more get on in Richmond & Twickenham.

Boysarefab · 12/02/2019 00:06

Lots of boys (if not most) get the train (school is about a two minute walk from station). School understands if train is late (not often) so are the boys..... my son goes on train which is packed with SJ boys.
We don’t do any music so can’t comment on that.

crocusdaffodil · 10/06/2019 19:37

We are looking at this school for our son who is currently in y5, he is fairly able academically though not sporty. He liked the school as he picked up that it was perhaps less pressured than others (he went to an open morning.) He is into music and drama and computers so would be great to know if anyone has experience of that side of it? We are also possibly looking at music scholarships.

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