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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Lady Margaret School, Parsons Green

34 replies

cathywood68 · 16/01/2018 08:06

I've applied for a place for my 15 year old daughter at this school and all looked very positive until I read the reviews on Google. There were several very negative reviews calling the school racist and bullying. It's hard to know if this is accurate or it is some sort of vendetta against the school. Any experiences anyone has of the school would be very welcome!

OP posts:
helloallllllll · 16/01/2018 08:48

No direct experience but know lots of happy parents there and would certainly consider for DD when the time comes.
I've seen those review too. I was looking at the PTA minutes a while ago for a particular reason and they happened to be mentioned in there and they thought it was some sort of vendetta.

Original poster
cathywood68 · 16/01/2018 08:56

Thank you. In fact we are moving from France which makes it difficult to really know what a school is like. In fact my daughter is not religious but can tolerate a religious school. I'm hoping it's not too heavy on the preaching.

OP posts:
helloallllllll · 16/01/2018 09:03

Don't think it is- more of a gentle c of e ethos. Certainly the girls I know ( who will have got in in church places) are not super religious.
It is very highly sought after, won't be perfect as no school is but I really wouldn't have any major worries.

Original poster
Cathywood68 · 16/01/2018 09:10

Thanks once again.

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Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 16/01/2018 09:11

It's a fabulous school.

Original poster
Cathywood68 · 16/01/2018 09:43

Nice to hear. Thanks.

OP posts:
RaindropsAndSparkles · 19/01/2018 20:48

It had a head from 2008-2015 who was not in sympathy with the historical ethos of the school and together with a dysfunctional governong body a great deal of damage was done.

The new head I gather is turning the school round again and applying sanctions where they need to be applied

LarkDescending · 19/01/2018 21:20

The 15 yr old I know there (cousin's DD) has been very happy throughout, with a lovely group of friends.

Original poster
Cathywood68 · 22/01/2018 08:02

Thank you for your help. We will certainly accept an offer of a place now.

OP posts:
SquirmOfEels · 22/01/2018 08:05

I know one family who have three DDs who went/are going there. They have all been very happy with it AFAIK.

Two things I remember - a) they are very strict about uniform etc and b) you have to be seriously observant to qualify (all faith places?).

They didn't say anything about 'how religious' the school is, but pretty much the whole places shares the same faith-based world picture, or at least is totally familiar with it and comfortable around it.

Original poster
Cathywood68 · 23/01/2018 08:12

I am not very clear about what the ethos of the school is and how recent changes affect that. It appears from their website that they welcome girls of no religion (like my daughter). There was a post on here which seems to have gone which I thought might suggest otherwise. Also I'm wondering what 'sanctions' were applied. I realise it's difficult to be too explicit on here, but it has all left me confused!

OP posts:
helloallllllll · 23/01/2018 08:25

Their intake at year 7 is around half church places and half non church. Most of the people I know there have 'church' places as where we live they wouldn't get in on the open places. Basically this means they probably went to a church primary school and continue to go to church fairly regularly but in general the c of e churches round here are pretty liberal, open minded etc.
I really wouldn't worry about the religious aspect or general ethos.

Original poster
Cathywood68 · 23/01/2018 08:28

Thanks once again for the reassurance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cathywood68 · 23/01/2018 08:30

Is there a general consensus about whether Lady Margaret or Graveney is better school?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cathywood68 · 23/01/2018 08:31

Or any personal opinions?

OP posts:
helloallllllll · 23/01/2018 08:34

I will try and send you a message!

Original poster
Cathywood68 · 23/01/2018 08:39

Thanks.

OP posts:
SlackPanther · 19/02/2018 16:50

Do you meet the entry criteria for either school? How have you applied from outside the country? It is very unlikely that anyone could compare the two schools as they are miles apart!

Graveney is a very good school, London has loads of very good secondary schools.

itschilly · 19/02/2018 16:58

Graveney is in Wandsworth and lots of people from wandsworth go to LMS so there will definitely be people who at least have some second hand knowledge of both schools. I think the OP is looking at sixth forms so will have slightly different entrance requirements anyway.

SlackPanther · 19/02/2018 18:47

Oh, yes, my mistake, she said 15 year old.

testbunny · 08/03/2018 12:40

Hello

Resurrecting this thread with the hope that current parents can tell me a bit more about the school. I have a few specific questions about the academics that would really help:

  • how have the funding cuts affected the school? I see from the website that they don't set in Maths and English until Yr8. Not sure whether this is a recent thing, but also that they have the same group of girls are in the same set for Maths and English when they get to Year 8
  • are the sciences all taught in one lesson? are they set?
  • how is bad / distracting behaviour in class dealt with nowadays?
  • is it cool to learn, and not just amongst the quiet, clever, studious girls!
  • what is the policy on phones / social media?

Anything else I should know??

Thank you!

sanam2010 · 09/03/2018 10:54

bumping this as I have the same questions as testbunny.

Celeriacacaca · 09/03/2018 22:26

Current parent of y10. Very happy with the school. DD has thrived here academically and socially. As it’s a smaller school the girls seem to know others in different years, and they look out for each other. Poor behaviour is dealt with firmly but not boot camp style like other DC’s school.

New head is now making her mark to steer it even more academically. She seems good. DD says it’s very uncool not to study- and just said why wouldn’t you want to work! She has a lovely time, great social life but works hard and has time for sport, debating and other activities. Girls are allowed phones but not to use them at school.

Haven’t seen evidence of impact of cuts. Very strong PTA and this provides funding for other opportunities.

Even before DD started I was impressed by the young women I met who were at the school and I continue to be impressed with the girls who are there now.

testbunny · 10/03/2018 12:56

Thank you! Very positive response. I

sanam2010 · 11/03/2018 16:02

Celeriacacaca, that sounds very good! Could you share a bit about your DD's experience in year 7? How does it work in the first year when they are not set for Maths or English? Would the more advanced children learn anything new in that year? How do they make sure the kids progress in a class of 30 who are probably ranging from level3/4 to level 6 when they start?