Quality of teaching at Esher college

[Vinobianco]

Anyone any guest hand experience ? Yr11 disorganised boy leaving mid range indie to study here - business studies graphic design and psychology- heard great things about the college but also heard for a disorganised boy they might get lost. Looking for reassurance - anyone

First hand not guest !

DS is in yr 13 T at Esher and as disorganised as they come!

The college do expect students to become independent learners but there is a lot of support to achieve this. There is a lot of monitoring and you will be told as soon as there is any concern. DS struggled with one of his subjects last year but this was quickly picked up and there was a lot of intervention from the college to help. His tutor has been great and has always responded quickly to any concerns.

The teaching has been good quality and they do get results. They do expect students to develop independence, which is essential for success at university, but they do offer plenty of support to achieve this.

Thanks on golden pond reassuring to hear

You're welcome @Vinobianco

Would also like to add DS was at a local well regarded private school up to GCSEs and he has found the teaching on the whole to be much better at Esher. The range of subjects available, it being a large dedicated sixth form college, is also a big plus as the smaller sixth form at his previous school did not offer the subject he was most keen to study. His enthusiasm for this subject has been reinforced by great teaching and he has chosen this subject to study at university (fingers crossed! )

I have DS there, and would NOT send him there again. The school is very-hands-off, parent interaction is low-to-zero and drugs (including a 2016 pupil death) available. We complained that their safeguarding was insufficient but got the answer that since they are an academy, then the law does not apply to them. Be aware that the previous college was a 6-form college, the previous-college was a school , and it was that school that got a good OFSTED rating (12 year ago), there as been no OFSTED inspection of this academy at all. Teaching? DS went with 12 good GCSE and prospects of Cambridge, now it is B's and perhaps Leeds or similar. Disappointing, just got to get it over with. Take the advice to go to a school, at least the Education Act can protect you and your dearest.

Surreyparent1 Esher College is NOT a school and never has been. It has always been a sixth form college. Their approach is one of a college. It bridges the gap between school and university. I'm sorry your child doesn't appear to have developed his independence - if it's any consolation he'd have crashed at Oxbridge if thats the case. Maybe he's partying too hard. Maybe he'll pull it together. Most kids manage to.

The student death you refer to was an absolute tragedy - it happened on a Friday evening at a venue many miles away. The college brought in counsellors on the Monday when they shared the news. I'm not sure you say that was the college's fault. Teenagers do stupid things. Ironically the kid that sold her the drugs was permanently excluded from EC a few weeks earlier.

Watching with interest because Ds1 has a place, which is his 2nd choice, after his school 6th form.

Hey there. New to here but watching this chain with interest. DD at Independent quite far (currently 8/9s predicted) so looking for something more local. DD loved the EC show round but we haven’t met any teachers yet. Heard some news about 2019 new entrants coming from Indy schools struggling and the result seem very down last year when you look at A*-B and vs HWS. DD also very disorganised and addicted to social media. Want her to be happy but have heard EC very hands off. They said updates four times a year which seems ok. Really can’t decide