Abbey School, Reading

[septembersally]

Anyone with recent experience of the senior school?

I'd be interested to hear recent experience too. A lot of the comments here on MN is old and there have been a lot of changes since then. What do people think these days? What do people think about the new head coming in September?

Yes I have been unable to find any recent comments. The new head has only been at his current school a very short time and I think it is cause for concern that someone jumps ship so quickly. The head of the senior school has not been seen in school since before xmas but there has been no communication with the parents.

sallyseptember are you able to elaborate more on your point about the head of the senior school? I'm not a current parent of this school and don't know anyone who is.

Just that the head of the senior school has not been in school from around the time of the announcement of the new head and no communication has gone to the parents. Now maybe it is a family matter, illness etc but their has been a lack of communication. I think when a Head is leaving and inevitably has an eye on their move abroad it is important to show parents that there is stability in the school.

"there" has been a lack of communication

The good schools guide review of the Abbey School now has the phrase "Leaving at Easter 2020" at the end of the head section. Which head does this refer to? Is this implying the head of the senior school is leaving too? You can read it by going here and clicking on their GSG review:

theabbey.co.uk/admissions

I don't know, one would think it is referring to the main Head but no one has actually said she is leaving at Easter.

The school has made the decision to leave the Teacher's Pension Scheme and I was told 20 staff have handed in their notice. I just checked on the teacher's jobs website and 9 jobs are already advertised. I was looking at this school but won't consider now because of staff turnover - I imagine there will be more staff leaving in the near future. A friend who works at a local boys school said other schools in the area were 'hoovering' up good teachers from the Abbey. I have now decided to ask if a school is leaving the scheme at open days because if this is what happens when they leave then I would rather know upfront.

Looks like a number of private schools will be leaving TPS . schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-62-private-schools-withdrawing-from-teachers-pension-scheme/

We have been considering the senior school for our DD for a while now. However I feel that a change of head is always a point of reflection, especially as he was not in post for long at all in his previous school.I see that Will ale Fleming has posted a video on the school website now. Just concerned that this might be a costly mistake compared to a state grammar school place. Any opinions would be most welcome.

Just come across your message - so hopefully this is still of use...

We have a daughter at The Abbey (and a son at SJB Windsor) and are, frankly, very concerned at the moment.

Seeing the different approaches in lockdown has been revealing. The Abbey approach to lessons and so on has been very off-hand and below that, even, we have seen at friends experienced at some state schools. We have had to chase up reviews and the current teachers just do not seem as engaged. Very little 1-1 and lots of hand outs and few lessons.

A number of teachers - and quite a few who we loved - have left recently.

There seems to be a leadership vacuum at the moment and the 'finance' team have taken over, meaning that revenues are prioritised above education. (An example, the school has absolved itself from refunding the £1000 we have spent on a school trip to Slovakia).

Let's hope the new headmaster brings back the leadership and solves things in the new term.

May I ask windsormum which yr your daughter is in? I have one in YR7 and the home schooling has been good from what I can see but feedback is not as good as I would like. I sometimes feel that the school wants to play down the importance of exams and I am not sure if this new Head will counter that - if anything he will exacerbate it - I am distinctly unimpressed with his CV but time will tell. As one parent said it me “ he needs to prove himself”

I did not like the recently letter we got from the Governors that said “he wants to get to know the school before making major changes”

I thought I'd wait until the new term to see how things have panned out with the new Head and back to school for the girls, although it still might be too early for current parents to tell. Choosing schools is very much 'top of mind' right now as the CAF form has to be in at the end of Oct. And we may be headed for another lockdown.

@windsormum2 how are you finding it? Your previous post has made me consider other schools (private) in our locally which would be in the Ascot area. By all accounts the state grammar we are in secondary catchment for did full on 9-3 lessons during lockdown. so lots of thoughts whirling through my mind right now.

Just wondered if there are any more recent thoughts on this? In particular keen to hear about the extra-curricular side. Other options for us (yr 7 2021 entry) are Kendrick and Queen Anne’s. Seem to be trade offs with each of them, whether on the academic side or music/sport. Gut feel is Queen Anne’s not strong enough academically. Kendrick v academic but seems light on extra-curricular. Abbey probably about the best of both worlds but some concerning comments on here.

Also interested in hearing about the current situation with the school as DD has an offer.

my daughter has joined the Abbey Senior School this year. We have been very impressed with the care and support they have given the girls over a very difficult time. The online teaching has been great and the pastoral support outstanding.
The new head is focused very much on ensuring that the girls achieve and are successful by being happy and confident, without forcing constant academic pressure.
We have been super impressed with and have every confidence in the way the new Head is leading the school.

That’s really helpful, thanks for the reassurance.

My DD has an offer to start Sept 21, which we have accepted. I've heard lots of positive comments about Abbey from people that work at other senior schools. We were impressed chatting to the Headmaster at a virtual open day, seems open and willing to listen to needs, introduce change slowly, rather than make sweeping changes. So if you have questions he's more than happy to answer. I was looking for a school that is academic, but also offers a good range of Sports, Arts, Residential trips and D of E.
DD is at a West Berkshire prep, and is now looking forward to starting in Sept 21 and meeting other new starters.

Hi, we are from Bucks and only recently came across this school . We are looking for 2024 entry and wondering if anyone has more recent experience of the school? I heard the school has changed and has many enrichment opportunities now alongside being academic. I have a very academic girl but equally interested in sports , art and music. The school has a bus service from ours so we will definitely like to explore. Thanks in advance

@MitHolmes did you start in 2024? And how has it gone? Or where else did you consider at the same time? All comments v welcome. Thanks.

Bumping for up to date info 2023 starters/2024 prospective starters. Thank you.

Looks like The Abbey School will be looking for a new head now that Will Le Fleming has been appointed head at the new Thomas's in Richmond opening in September 2025.
https://www.independentschoolparent.com/featured/thomass-college-to-launch/#:~:text=Will%20le%20Fleming%20unveils%20Thomas's,people%20from%2011%20to%2018.

Oh right. That’s good to know. Interesting times, thanks so much.