Aldenham School reviews please--

8 replies

Nandinia · 15/05/2018 10:00

Dear mums,
My son is in Year9 here at St Albans and he is extremely sensitive and has to deal with a lot of bullying at his school. It has hurt his self esteem and he is very unhappy and wants to change school. I am looking at going the independent school route where he will feel safer. He is not very sporty due to foot issues and not overly academic but very clever. Any advice on Aldenham school or any other school I can possibly look into for him please ? Thanks a bunch

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LAK11 · 15/05/2018 14:14

My son is just finishing at Aldenham. They are very good with dealing with any bullying issues. The school is not high flying academic - they try to find each pupil's strengths and build on them, be it Maths, Drama or Music etc. There is an open day on 16 June - look at their website and book a place. We have been very happy there. The students are very confident - even the ones who were timid when they joined in Y7. Good luck!

Original poster

Nandinia · 15/05/2018 14:42

Thanks so much for your message LAK11. Very reassuring to hear this from you as I am looking for a school which will work on opening up his strengths rather than harking on his weakness. He has been called for an interview and tour this Friday and written test subsequently. Any tips you may have to share please ? Thanks a bunch and best wishes for your son's future.

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Original poster

Nandinia · 15/05/2018 14:42

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Fortheloveofscience · 15/05/2018 14:49

I don’t have personal experience, but everything I’ve heard about it is in line with what LAK says. I’ve heard some cruel jibes about it being for boys who aren’t bright enough to go to HABS across the road, but in reality it feels like they just have very different ethoses (ethi?!).

LAK11 · 15/05/2018 15:08

Nandinia - the interview we had was with Mr Fowler (Headmaster) and it was very relaxed (Y7 entry). Hopefully your son will be given a tour by a pupil and so can ask lots of questions. The facilities are pretty good and they offer lots of educational trips. During GCSE and A level lead up they offered extra study sessions at weekends. We even had one on Good Friday. The jibes about it being for less bright boys are common. Aldenham treats each student as an individual, not as part of an exam factory. I really hope your son likes it. Let us know how you get on. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Original poster

Nandinia · 15/05/2018 15:31

FortheLoveofscience and LAK11, I hear you. What I am looking at is my son feeling happy and developing a good self-esteem. I am OK if the school is not very academic and , infact, it works better for him. He is very passionate about the things which interests him, but I am see him losing interest as he is always upset when back from school. Thanks so much for your valuable inputs. I am hoping he likes the school and is given an offer.

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Mary19 · 15/05/2018 19:00

Others to consider
St Chris in Letchworth. Has school buses. Slightly alternative ethos
Sherradswood in Welwyn. If you want somewhere very small.
Mill Hill in Mill Hill

Original poster

Nandinia · 16/05/2018 09:31

Mary19, thanks. I will be looking into these too. Though, from the Mill Hills parents forum I learnt they are struggling with good teachers this year. Still worth a look I suppose. Any idea about St Columbas here in St Albans ? Thanks.

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