Ibstock Place School

[givemesomewineplease]

Can anyone give me some up to date experience of this school? I've heard lots of pros and cons but things may have changed so any current parents' view would be appreciated. Need to decide whether to apply for 11+. For an academically capable girl, so I'm especially wondering how strong the teaching is and how nice the environment is.

SHS may be too far for @givemesomewineplease if she is Hammersmith way. The sports grounds are Hinchley Wood (HW) & Rowing in Teddington & you have to collect directly from both for sports clubs. (There is a late school bus to train station from HW). The rowing is fantastic but needs a lot of parental driving.

I have a child at IPS and he is incredibly happy there and settled in really well. I don't think the homework is excessive, probably an hour a night, currently..... You may find it a bit of a shock if you come from a primary school where/if there wasn't much h/w but we were from a prep so used to h/w. My other older DC at a different indie school probably had about the same.
The teachers are very good and inspiring from what I can see. I also agree that bright children in all west London indies will be supported to achieve their potential and the schools are set up for this in terms of setting etc.
I would choose the school your child likes as they will achieve their academic potential at almost any indie school. Also think about their confidence in terms of whether being lower down in a highly academically selective school or further up in a less highly selective school will impact them.

I think that's a very good point about confidence, some children become very anxious if they're lower down than they are used to.

We are considering Ibstock for our dd and were hoping to hear from current parents on the following:

• How long are the lessons?
• The number of drama productions per year and how hard/easy is it to get in?
• Does the school provide any support for mild dyslexia?
• Are the teachers nice, supportive and approachable?
• Are there lower level sports teams?
• Is there a tennis club?

Would also really appreciate any other information on the school that you think could help us make a decision.

Hi I have a D.C. at IPS and hope to answer some but not all of your questions

• lessons are generally ana hour long with 4 in morning then lunch and two in afternoon. 0835 - 1255 (mid morning break) then 1 hour 5 mins for lunch/ clubs then two lessons in afternoon
• drama - not sure as D.C. not really into drama
• dyslexia - not sure as D.C. doesn't have dyslexia but know a friend of his has dyspraxia and uses laptop for this
• overall we have found teachers to be amazing and supportive
• there are lots of sports teams and very inclusive. My D.C. is very sporty and in top team but there are lots of lower level teams too. Look at the school sports website as this shows the teams
• no idea about tennis as my D.C. doesn't play.

Overall my D.C. is very happy there.

DiHappy- I have a DC at Ibstock and might be able to answer a few more of your questions.

There is a tennis club every Wednesday after school at Sheen Lawn Tennis Club. Competition matches in the Summer Term, either at Sheen or Barn Elms.

Drama is exceptional at IPS! If your dc is really into it then there are lots of ways to get involved either on stage or backstage. The facilities are very professional so even those who just want to do some technical theatre can have a go! Drama club Senior 7-9 every week (but might clash with tennis)!

There are 2 drama productions every year. Lower school in July and Upper school in December. Also House Drama competition in Spring Term. Not sure how easy/difficult it is to get a part but anyone is able to audition. Upper school production has lots of drama scholars taking main roles I would say.

I don’t know much about SEN provision for mild dyslexia but I’ve heard it’s very good.

Lots of teams in sports throughout the year groups. Girls may choose between netball or hockey in Senior 8, so they focus either on one sport only or can do both. Cricket and athletics in the Summer Term. Swimming and water polo also on offer.

Plenty of co-curricular clubs at lunchtime and after school. Subject ‘clinics’ also on offer and are amazing! The teachers who run these are very dedicated to their subjects and everyone is welcome. It allows kids who might find a particular subject topic more difficult to understand during lessons to have some individual help with it.

We have found the teachers to be very approachable and hard working. Tutor groups comprise of Senior 7-10 and each have an academic and pastoral tutor in charge. These remain the same throughout those 4 years, so you can build up a good rapport. I have always had excellent contact with the school and the tutors are quick to respond to all inquiries. Tutor groups meet every day for registration and have at least 20 mins together before first lesson begins.

Overall we have had a very enjoyable experience at IPS and our dc is extremely happy there.

Good luck with your decision making!

Thank you lovethecrown, that’s very helpful!
Which year is you dc in?
Would you say they get a lot of homework in years 7 and 8?
Do they have to study a lot during holidays? I don’t mind the homework during term time but would prefer dd not having to study too much during holidays.

Would also really appreciate it if any other parents could help with the questions above?

Thank you dear mumsnetters!

GrandTtime, thank you so much, really appreciate all the information!!
It’s great to hear that you DC is very happy, that’s the most important thing.

So helpful to know that they have tennis. How do they get to the Sheen Lawn Tennis Club? And do they compete with other schools? And do you know, by any chance, what level the girls should be at to get into the team?

My daughter has no drama experience but has been showing a lot of interest lately. This is something she is really looking forward to at a secondary school. At my other dc’s school it is very hard to get through the auditions unfortunately and I am
worried that it might be the case here as well. Has you dc had any experience with school productions?

Subject clinics sound great! Do you know if it’s very common for students to attend/drop-in if they have questions? Has your dc done this?

A huge thanks again for your help!!

DiHappy I’m afraid I don’t know how they get to Sheen Lawn for tennis club! They do play competitively though, in the Summer Term only, with other schools. I would imagine you would need to play at a club/be a fairly competent player to be good enough for teams.

Drama auditions are open to everyone but I think if your dd is keen then that would show during lessons/club. My dc hasn’t been on stage for any productions but has helped with lighting/backstage etc and has really enjoyed it. Easier to get a role in the Lower school production apparently as the Upper school play is more of a serious production. Head of Drama teacher is amazing! I am always floored by the quality of the Upper school shows each year!

As for subject clinics, they are on after school (1 hour) or at lunchtime (20-30mins). Pupils can stay for as long as they want so if they have their questions answered they can leave at any point. It’s totally drop in and yes my dc has been to them, especially in the run up to exams! Some teachers ask pupils to attend (if they know they are struggling with a particular topic) but they are open to everyone also.

Hope this helps!

Many thanks for all the info - so helpful! Greatly appreciate it.

One more question to current parents: is there an entrepreneurship program? And if yes, in which years? I know some schools have it and children really enjoy and learn so much from this type of projects.

Ibstock, for some reason, seems like a bit of a mystery school in terms of their ethos, culture, their approach to creativity, critical thinking and changing demand for skills due to new technologies. Most schools of a similar size spoke about adjusting their approach to the changing environment based on their research and contact with some large employers. I wonder how much work is being done by Ibstock on this front. Would be great if anyone could shed some light on this? Also, do you you know if they invite any interesting and inspiring speakers?

We have been a at Ibstock since kindergarten (Child now going into year 5) and although our child is very happy there I have huge reservations about the school. Pastoral care is lacking and the Headmistress who has been there for 19 years is very strict (either her way or the highway.) The junior school has had 4 heads of prep in 8 years and the current head left mid academic year (May 2020) which is highly unusual... communications is poor overall and there seems to be a lack of consistency in policy through the years. In my experience staff turnaround is huge, they have a reputation for underpaying their teachers and relying on very young, recently qualified staff at the junior school. The senior school is no different in terms of communications and they also recently had a massive exodus of teachers. I would love to move my child from there and wish I had never signed up however I feel my options are limited...

Familymummy, thanks for sharing its great to see mums from the actual school given their real experience, lots of families from sheen trying hard to get their families in and disappointed that their kid didn't make it into the recent 11+ exams. The head won't stay for ever and ever school has its pitfalls not sure any private school is prefect. I hope you all the best and I'm sure you've given your child the best opportunities in life.

I have friends who’s kids are very happy there. They however have a reputation for not supporting SEN very much. One friend with a dyslexic son moved him. I think they are very clear about their stance so if you’re daughter would need to be fine without extra help.

Hi. Can anyone please give some up to date information on Ibstock Place Primary school. I am planning to apply for my child's admission in Year 4. So would like to know pros and cons of the school. I found school gives excessive amount of homework. Do the students need tutor at home for completing them or the school help students to complete their homework? Any suggestion / your experience is much appreciated.

Music department very good, Head of Music delightful

My DC joined Ibstock prep this year. We’ve found it to be friendly and welcoming, she has settled in really well and is very happy so far. Pastoral care is good - we have had a call with her teacher within the first week to check in. Homework is set to be 30 mins max in an evening - definitely not excessive Or too stressful in my view. The school seem to have responded to the Covid measures very sensibly and pragmatically.

Targeting Ibstock, very probably. It's not well served by public transport at all. But I don't know how you could reach parents/older pupils effectively without separate advertising as a school friendly service (for which people would excoect the driver to be DBS checked)