Does anyone have children at Chestnut Grove in south London?

[lalalonglegs]

We are looking at secondary schools for my older daughter. She is academic, quite confident and very talented at art and design. We have visited Chestnut Grove on previous open days and been really impressed by some of the things that it offers but I am not 100% convinced - there has been a very slight undercurrent of bad behaviour when we've visited. I don't know anyone in real life who has children there so can't get a measured view of it. Can anyone give me opinions, good or bad? Alternatives that she is likely to get into are Bolingbroke, Burntwood or Lambeth Academy.

I live very near to the school. I wouldn't send my child there. The kids seem to spend most of their time hanging around the fried chicken shop opposite Sainsbury's. Results are ok from a 5 A*-C perspective but there aren't many getting top grades and a lot of pupils do B-Tech type qualifications, which probably wouldn't suit your daughter if she is academically-mindedz

I know 7 children who attend Chestnut Grove.

One of my friends has 2 children there (y13, y10). She is extremely happy- one is very academic and doing very well, on track for good A2's and gap year followed by good Uni. The other is not as academic but his needs are very well catered for too- doing a combination of GCSE's and vocational courses.

My neighbour has a daughter in y8 - top sets and very happy.

Four of my son's former classmates have just started y7- 3 on language specialism. Early days but so far so good.

We had it as second choice and would have been delighted to get it.

I visited 3 times over 2 years and purposeful learning seemed to be going on, the children seemed very confident and our guides were delightful and candid both years. I asked about bullying, disruption in classes - both happen occasionally but guides felt dealt with very quickly by school.

Look, it's an all ability comprehensive so there will be some bad behaviour and some disengaged children. It is how this is dealt with that is crucial and my friends have all stated that school has and imposes appropriate sanctions.

They have a new Head - long standing former head responsible for the school's change in fortunes left at Easter. The deputy took over so culturally parents are not expecting too much to change.

There is a major building programme scheduled. It is long overdue - the building was quite an issue for my DS who likes light, bright and airy and though the school "old and dingy". This will no doubt cause a degree of disruption.

In common with a lot of schools there was a dip in gcse results this year.

I don't recognise the school that alma describes. I think that was Chestnut Grove of old. It is now heavily over-subscribed and popular with locals and those from further afield too, if the numbers sitting the language and art Aptitude tests are anything to go by.

To be honest, alma, if there's a chicken shop in the vicinity, teenagers will find it .

Interesting that the HT has left, raisin - I thought she was very good when I've been around before but was also impressed by one of the deputies that was in attendance. My daughter would possibly/probably get a place on the art and design specialism. The school did present really well, I liked the children who showed us round and I found the school welcoming and the teachers enthusiastic and energetic but, I don't know, I'm just not 100% convinced. Then again, I'm not by Bolingbroke which is the other likely school for her [confused}.

Anyone else care to share their experiences?

She retired...had been in post a very long time.

Trust your instincts I'd say. If it doesn't feel right for you and yours then it probably isn't. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it though....

Know nothing of Bolingbroke beyond the earlier controversies. Know happy parents and children at both Burntwood and Lambeth Academy.

Good luck! It's a worrying time.

My instincts are that I don't like any of the schools that my daughter can feasibly attend . I have slight misgivings about CG, I am not keen on the HT at Bolingbroke, I don't really want her to go to an all-girls school such as Burntwood and I don't like the fact that there is very little setting in Lambeth Academy. I have two younger children and, given that it's unlikely to get any less competitive to get children into schools over the next few years, I'd like to think I could send her to a school that would be suitable for all of them when the time comes but that may be asking too much. I'm over-thinking it, right?

Are you applying for Graveney? If your dd gets in, so do the rest of your dc ....

I think you have to be in the top 1.5% of scorers to qualify for Graveney - she's bright but not that bright and we haven't had her tutored or anything because I think it is a ridiculous crap shoot. I'd hate to put her through all that pressure and then not get a place.

Are you looking for state secondary schools only?
If so, in addition to Graveney, there is also the Dunraven School in Streatham. Or if you are the religious type, you can try the catholic schools like Bishop Thomas Grant (mixed) or La Retraite (girls only).

A bit further afield, possibly a long shot: Grey Coat Hospital (CoE girls only) in Westminster.

No one in the Burntwood / Bolingbroke area is likely to get into Dunraven on distance! It is a highly oversubscribed school. And BTG and La Retraite require a high religious track record which if the OP had she would be very familiar with those schools! All the catholic families round here have them in their sights. The catchment for Graveney is down to about .4 of a mile or something!

I thought Burntwood had a v good reputation? And that Bolingbroke has promise. But this us not my area. I know a family with an artistic dd at Chestnut Grove and they couldn't be happier .

We've been to see Chestnut Grove and were really struck by the lovely atmosphere - it'll definitely be one of the top on our list! Premises a bit scruffy but new building starts this year apparently to replace a lot of the old school, although that might be a bit disruptive for a year or two. Also new headmaster taking over this year, but he'd worked there for a long time - can't remember how long he said, maybe 16 years? - and he seemed to have a strong vision for the school (I should write the brochure really - honestly, I have no connection with the school!).

I also talked to the daughter of a friend (bright and arty) who had loved it there.

Have to say Graveney still top of our list but it's so difficult to get a place! We still haven't seen it though, so it might all change...

They are very good at staging open evenings. Very good.

I'll PM you.

But a public tip for everyone considering the Art stream; Ask how many of the current GCSE year are the same pupils who started in 2010.

That made me laugh sleeper as I was almost in tears of emotion today at Kingsdale listening to the eulogies from students and parents : )

Watching with interest