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Secondary education

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Original poster

I'm a weeny bit cross that there hasn't been a SW/W London Independent schools thread this yr.

999 replies

SonorousBip · 03/01/2015 21:46

Every blinking year there is one - and I read, and nod, and note. Sometimes they go on for months and pages. But this year, when I'm actually doing it - pah, not a sausage.

If anyone wants to do a last minute SPGS/Latymer/Godolphin/ KGS/LEH/WHS/PHS thread, please do! (disclaimer - I'm not doing all of those.). But views welcome. Because I've got several days to form my final views Smile

OP posts:
KingscoteStaff · 09/01/2015 16:24

mertonmama, you can join me at Cafe Rouge or Gails Bakery, in between dog walking in the park!

mertonmama · 09/01/2015 16:49

Kingscote - but how we will know each other? Will you be wearing a red carnation and carrying a copy of The Times? GB sounds tempting, would a pastry be justified do you think?

Poisonwoodlife · 09/01/2015 17:01

Where'sthebeach Yes it is quite beyond me why the Head at Ibstock would decide to make her school pretty much the only indie that doesn't proactively support those with Learning Difficulties, when more academic schools realised long ago that bright dyslexics are perfectly capable of keeping up and getting good results. It makes you worry about the soundness of the other educational strategies compared to the other schools. The last Head at KGS used to post long essays on the latest educational developments and how KGS was responding, including applying teaching methods that work for Dyslexics based on the latest research that shows they work for the other pupils too.

farewell Believe me some of the alpha tiger mothers looked down on the Lions as if they were donkeys..........

minoula · 09/01/2015 18:50

Poisonwood. I would second your comments about Ibstock not supporting learning diffs. I know two teachers from the Senior School who are quite clear that this is the case. Mind you, if it is results that parents want, this is a school definitely on the upward push. Their GCSE and A Level results last year were the same as KGS - and their A Levels better than Putney High by quite a way!

I know about 5 children who started into year 7 this Sept. They do tests in the first few days (!) and are then streamed for certain subjects. The homework they receive is at least double what my son gets at Latymer (where they are not streamed until well into Year 8 and do all subjects together as a form).

By not embracing learning difficulties though, can the school ever be among those which claim to be at the forefront of education? They are missing out on so many gifted children with so much to offer. Maybe the head should go to the lecture at Latymer next week, open to all teachers, pupils and parents, entitled "Dyslexia and the Creative Mind".

Bobisyouraunt · 09/01/2015 18:58

My DD did the Dolphin Exam this morning, and says she was thinking the whole way through, how much she wants to go there. Eeekkk.

Poisonwoodlife · 09/01/2015 19:27

minoula I think parents should be a little wary of comparing those A level results, their sixth form is less than half the size of KGS and whilst small sixth form subject groups might be good for spoonfeeding exam passing strategies, perhaps not quite as good for stimulating discussion and actually educating pupils in subject specific skills and preparing them for university. You wonder with such focus on an upward trajectory in results whether the individual pupils come first. A school like KGS has a long stable history of an ethos that encourages individual potential, rather than having done a U turn in terms of ethos and ambitions relatively recently.......

I do know plenty of pupils who are happy and have done well at Ibstock, as I said we are surrounded by good schools that will be the right environment for some pupils, but the fact that Ibstock are focused on preparing them to get good results, perhaps, because of the intake, in a way you might regard as spoon feeding, is acknowledged. Comparing it to KGS just because it has achieved comparable results just doesn't wash.

Poisonwoodlife · 09/01/2015 19:32

And yes Latymer is a centre of excellence for supporting Learning Difficulties, and appreciates what they bring to a school community, we didn't try for it because I didn't think my DD was streetwise enough but then her year at LU were a lovely bunch and we had to contend with madams that self styled themselves da snake gang (hissing at anyone who sat in their seats in the sixth form common room) elsewhere. So we have envied both the peer group and learning support from afar.

wheresthebeach · 09/01/2015 20:09

Oh Good Grief...rather wish we'd gone for LU now. Had the same logic as you Poison. Dyslexic DD not savey enough. Hmmm..

wheresthebeach · 09/01/2015 20:10

And 'da snake gang'? Hissing at everyone? That's pretty hideous yet absurd at the same time.

minoula · 09/01/2015 20:34

I'm just disappointed that we can't consider Ibstock for twins, one of whom is dyslexic. They could have walked there - a big plus in my book!

No school is perfect of course --its all horses for courses. And yes Latymer is a big school with a fast pace where they are pretty much treated as adults from day one and parents only really get to hear about what's going on if your child decides to fill you in! I think its fair when you say there is a fairly "savvy" element there and this would obviously not suit everyone. But maybe this is true of all schools.

wheresthebeach · 09/01/2015 20:56

We're close to Ibstock too. Great grounds, perfect location, co-ed, great facilities...shame about the attitude to dyslexic kids! Must be awful for any diagnosed while there...Sad

DarkBlueEyes · 09/01/2015 21:30

Wish me luck ladies. St Catherine's tomorrow. It's our current favourite.

Why is there not a praying smilie?

wheresthebeach · 09/01/2015 22:17

Please tell me stories of DD's not sleeping the night before exams but still doing fine.

DD STILL awake.

Arggg

Poisonwoodlife · 09/01/2015 22:46

where'sthebeach Not only can I tell you those tales but I can also tell you about a night at the beginning of the week when DD 250 miles away reading English somewhere very well regarded, actually top of some league tables, for English rang me at least 5 times between 1 and 5.30 am. I fully expect her to have done well as usual because she was up all night before getting 100% in AS level Philosophy exams that were on the same day and with extra time (and her problems are severe enough to still get extra time), she had 6 hours of exams with a 15 min break. I don't think I have ever sat an exam with more than 2 hours asleep (apart from the 11 + which I didn't even know I had taken, the news I was going to the superselective Grammar School was similarly a mystery). If anyone thinks she is mollycoddled I have of course not heard a peep since but exams for those with learning difficulties are a perfect storm..........

wheresthebeach · 09/01/2015 22:56

Thank poison - exam stress on top of dyslexia stress is a killer. She does the nightmare thing too (every night for the last week).

Off to peek again...

Poisonwoodlife · 09/01/2015 23:27

*wheresthebeach" Yes also to the nightmares, it is awful to see them go through this, but I can only say that the schools know the signs and adrenaline is a wonderful thing..........

wheresthebeach · 10/01/2015 10:18

Here's hoping her brain is switched to the 'on' position!

mertonmama · 10/01/2015 10:28

All very calm and well organised at JAGS drop off this AM. DD also has a disturbed night - think the wind and coughing DS1 didn't help.

Good luck everyone for exams today.

amidaiwish · 10/01/2015 11:40

Good luck to all those sitting St Catherine's Twickenham and SWPS today!
mertonmama your post about Kingston made me laugh. Whilst dd was sitting KGS on Thursday I found myself buying new make up and underwear. Those things you never have time for when dashing into Kingston. Not to mention what I are and drank. Having to kill nearly 4 hours was not good for my wallet. Really should have gone home or even to the gym.

Original poster
SonorousBip · 10/01/2015 13:28

Lol - I bought a new pair of trousers, a jumper and a pair of boots plus some make up while DD was doing the KGS exam plus a couple of cups of coffee and took her for lunch afterwards! To be fair, it was all stuff I needed and it was mostly a planned session. Also I knew the retail opportunities weren't quite as good with Godolphin.

Dd is running a "biscuit index". Godolphin currently in the lead with kitkats...

OP posts:
amidaiwish · 10/01/2015 13:35
Grin Surbiton wins for dd, smartie cookies! KGS fails on the refreshment front!
mertonmama · 10/01/2015 13:46

On the 'biscuit index' PHS had an excellent selection of biscuit AND cake on offer for the interview day.

amidaiwish · 10/01/2015 13:51

Surbiton had pastries, biscuits, juice, water, tea & coffee for us parents waiting. Very nice Smile

emptycoffeepot · 10/01/2015 15:09

DS did KGS, Hampton and St George's. Stronger at maths, NVR, VR than English. Hampton hardest, especially maths. Fine with KGS maths and VR, though found English harder. Found St George's fine, especially lunch! Has passed Tiffin and SGS. Dreading an interview if it happens. Good luck all.

Poisonwoodlife · 10/01/2015 15:32

When one of my DDs did the KGS exam a few years ago I ended up waiting with a man who was a refugee from Somalia. He was stood outside with a toddler and asked me where the nearest park was so I took him round the back. It turned out his bright son's teacher had entered him for the exam for a bursary place and paid the registration and for their travel. His wife had been killed in the war in Somalia. It certainly put it all in perspective.........