Feedback needed from Ibstock Place parents

[notatigermum999]

My great friend is trying to decide between IP and Emanuel for her DD. She likes them both but her DD is more keen on IP. Her main worry about the school is the homework which on the website says is usually 1 3/4 hours a night and at open days the kids have said the same. This would be on top of 45 min commute each way. Is the homework this heavy in Year 7? How do the kids handle it?

I have not got a child at the school but been told by several parents and a tutor I consulted when we were thinking of applying that the homework load is very heavy compared to other schools.

My DC have various friends who go to that school and they do complain that the homework is a lot and it's every night by the sound of it.

I have a DD at Ibstock in Yr8.

It is a fantastic school and getting better every year, take a look at their latest ISA schools report (Nov/Dec15). You can't really compare it to Emmanuel, it is a step up (look at the results)

There is a lot of homework but no more than LEH or PHS. I would say it varies between about 45 to 90 mins a day.

My youngest DS is also about to start Yr7 in Sept16, we have turned down LU for Ibstock.

Another vote for Ibstock. My nephew is there and loves it - the children seem really happy and well balanced. If you are clever, you can go onto Oxbridge/Russell group universities, but at Ibstock it sees everyone is valued. There is also a thriving PTA which is an advantage for new parents. My own DC is at LU and I wonder if I should have chosen IPS as it seems a kinder school. The music and drama departments are fantastic and the new theatre is an amazing asset to the school. I think the homework is a bit of a red herring. DN had quite a lot in Year 7, but actually seemed to have slightly less in Year 8 and now in Year 9 compares with LU and Hampton.

A few friends of my DC are in Y7 at Ibstock and have all complained about it being very strict. I wouldn't have described it as kinder than LU at all but thats just based on their experience so far.

I have a very happy DD in Y9, homework is not a problem. We are delighted with the school as are most of the parents know. I always find it amusing to read what non-parents claim it is like.

It probably appears strict compared with state primary school, but the homework and "rules" are no stricter than most preps in my sister's experience. The Head is strict but that's only been an advantage for my nephew and his friends who know where they stand, and how far they can push things. My own DC has been at Latymer for a couple of years (being deliberately vague here) and has been subject of fairly low level bullying at different times, as have several other children in the same year. My nephew who is a very similar personality has had none of this. I wonder if the apparent strictness has something to do with this, or whether it's just a different culture (or whether my child has just been unlucky in his year group).

Ibstock Place don't seem to have exam results on their website (sorry if I missed something obvious) and as they are 0% for GCSE on the Dept of Ed website, I assume it's IGCSE.

For A level, the difference (rounded) in points score per entry is 4, and per pupil is 6.

I'd say that means there is nothing really between them in terms of selectivity (7 years ago) and academic level. There's not enough published data to see if there are any big differences in Value Added.

Emanuel has also just been re inspected. I couldn't find the report on the school website, but it is up on the ISI's here

Ibstock 6th form is very new and will only be running at full capacity from I think this year, there were only about 50 there last year so not really relevant yet.
Ibstock Igcse results last year were 48% A and 79% A/A combined which is virtually identical to the previous years. Emanuel was 28% A, 64% A and A combined. But you aren't really comparing an apple with an apple because Emanuel has a sibling policy which means it's results will never be as strong as a 100% selective schoo.
There is a huge amount of value added at Ibstock and some incredible teaching and I am very happy with it. I can't comment on Emanuel because I don't have a child there.

Thank you for your posts. As always, the mumsnet community adds value when your RL network doesn't extend as far as you would like! Personally, I think IP and Emanuel are both great schools, as well they should be given how much it costs to go to those schools and all the independent (ie fee paying)) schools that are being being discussed in many of these forums. We are very privileged although it often times doesn't feel that way!!

How is your journey to Ibstock vs Emannuel? Would that aid your decision?

I was just wondering how the decision making was going, now that deadlines are kicking in.

(BTW nuename I meant added value in the academic sense, and that cannot be demonstrated as there is no reliable standardised baseline on entry).

Hello,

Could anyone recommend an English and Maths tutor for Hampton School?

Please feel free to PM me.

Thank you very much

Emilie

Hi everyone

I'm really confused and seeking advice from experienced mums who have sent their children to ibstock. Many people have stated that there is no pastoral care that if you're not academic you're basically not supported is this true? I have a child whom I would like to send to ibstock too as it looks great it's 8 mins away but I'm certainly not going to pay 18k a year and hire extra tutors and have her unhappy about the support given. I would much appreciate your views thank you

nerbek - Did you ever get an answer or DM after your post? I am equally interested if IPS have shifted their (formerly) Froebel focus slightly away from the children, and onto results?

Actually no Im keen to find out too from the people who go there