Fresham Heights School - any feedback much appreciated

[Aza9]

Hi there, I am thinking of FH for my son to go in Year 9. He really likes creative stuff and music technology. He gets average grades but i am having him tested for possible dyslexia. To be honest he hasn't had a great time at school as he is an individual and not fitting in that well with the crowd. I have been to the open day at FH and liked it but saw a lot of children sitting around on phones which put me off a bit. I wonder how strict they are with certain behaviours? What is the vibe like at the school - is it inclusive, cliquey, cool groups…??? I think he might respond well to calling the teachers first names and the small and personal feel - but how does this work in reality? Any feedback greatly appreciated.

My DS1 went to look round, he liked it. He did the taster day which he really enjoyed, he likedthe other children were enthusiastic and nice. In one lesson the teacher set some work, left the classroom and left them to do the work. He said that people were listening to music on their iPods. I think the accepted norm is that kids have to be quite self motivated, otherwise they can coast.

DS1 is quirky, bright but has not had a good time at school up to now. At his state secondary he gets picked on and has no sense of 'cool'

We do like the vibe at FH and for our son we believe the overpowering positivity will work for him.

Thanks Moid1, appreciate your comments. Interesting what you say.
Sounds like the overwhelming positivity is something to think about as i am very keen on that! Can you explain more where you saw this? was it the fact that every child is valued, they are encouraged in what they are good at and the whole ethos of the school is positive? Thank you.

The children we saw, who admittedly were those wheeled out at the open day were very positive and different. One was very quirky but obviously felt it was ok to express his individuality. One girl said that she came to FH because she really wanted to do drama but discovered that there was some REALLY passionate dramatists and discovered a passion for an academic subject. We liked that the school had enabled her and not pushed her into a route.
Although it would be naive to suggest that there was no bullying you did get the feeling that there was so much 'expression' going on that it was not an environment where it would take root.
Science is valued which we liked as well as that is DS1's passion.

I note your comment re the phones, I think that it is quite liaisse faire, with a great deal of trust being placed in the kids to do the right thing. Which is great if your kid is like that and will rise to the challenge. For instance our DS2 would just coast and it is not the right environment for him.

My DS1 is at a state secondary which is cliquey with 'cool' groups. He did not get that feeling at FH.

I am going to get my DS to do a taster day as that is the obvious next step. It's good to hear your DS1 didn't get the cliquey feeling at FH. As you say the fact that individuality and passions are celebrated means the children must be used to expression and quirkiness. My DS is at a private school but it is very cliquey and cool groups and he is excluded, i guess because he doesn't fit the mould. Do you know what pass mark they are looking for in the January entrance exams? How selective are they - I heard they were oversubscribed 4-1 or maybe that was for 6th form?

Are you looking for year 9 or year 10 in September?

This year they said they were full in year 7 and year 8 and had some spaces in year 9. So fine if you are looking for year 10, but maybe trickier if looking for year 9 in September if you see what I mean.

It's not academically very selective and maybe not to hard to get into. Maybe families and kids self select. Think they are looking for enthusasism to take advantage of the opportunities.

Good luck

Thanks Moid1 really appreciate your comments.