Royal Russell School, near Croydon

[BadSkiingMum]

We are interested in Royal Russell school, possibly for 13+ entry. I have read old threads but I am wondering if any current or recent parents would be willing to share their impressions?

Child is age 10. They are average ability but a hard worker. Possibility of some SEND, so looking for good pastoral care and support. They are not sporty but do play a musical instrument, at about Grade 2 standard.

I have heard/seen something on here about behaviour, so I wondered if that is still an issue?

Their open day last year clashed with the open day of several other schools so I haven't been able to get there yet. They also have a slightly odd policy of not doing tours for those not in the year of entry!

Thanks.

Bump

@ExamEntranceMum

Hi - do you have any impressions or whispers on the grapevine?

DC’s good friend goes and likes it very much.. Good option if child is not as academic as easier to get in. Seems to be good with SEN. I went on an open day and liked it . Downside is travel if not local but it seems to be a lovely school.

Thanks, that is really helpful.

Any insight regarding music?

We’ve only been to an open day and then on a tour on a normal school day, but compared to other schools we visited (about 10 in total) , RR was the only where all pupils got on with work. I didn’t see any low level disruption or pupils siting at the back and staring into space. There seemed to be plenty of music opportunities and high proportion of pupils playing instrument (vast majority in the Prep department but not sure about the older ones).

Sorry , don’t know too much about music provision . Hopefully they will run Open Days in Autumn.

Hi there - my kids go here and both love it. It is has a broader academic ability intake than other nearby indies, which some parents can get snooty about...but is the reason why many others choose it. Can’t be doing with hot houses - so yesteryear!
The school also takes safeguarding and pupil wellbeing very seriously.

Pupils are supported to the best of their attainment ability and enjoy a well rounded, co-educational experience. The academic kids do just as well as if they went to grammars, no pupil is ‘dumbed down’!

Football and netball are the main sports and school is also great for kids who love drama.

There’s a number of developments going on, modernised science block and new girls and boys boarding/day houses. Physically, I think it’s one of the nicest schools in London and the only one with its own proper cross country course. The canteen also serves the nicest food (according to the kids!).

They have smallest year groups of all the indie schools nearby - partic compared to Trinity and Whitgift. About 100 at 11+ and then an additional 30 or so at 13+ (I think).

I’d definitely check out the next open day.

Message me if you have any specific queries. 👍🏽

Ps - I‘ve not heard anything about RRS Pupils with any bad behaviour issues. I’m sure like any school there’s individual level incidents but not at a school-level reputation. Quite the opposite I’d say. The alpha male aggression is toned down by the presence of alpha females! 😂😂

Thanks so much @Ratrace123, really helpful. Definitely not after a hothouse here, more of a walled-garden with the right kind of nurture!

Do a lot of pupils arrive by public transport, or do the majority come by school bus? Is there any option of commuting parents parking on-site for access to East Croydon? There are no buses from our direction unfortunately.

Most Kids come in by public transport and you’d have to ask the school about official school bus routes. I do know that kids travel in from a wide range of areas and make it work. Coombe Lane tram is right outside the school with key interchanges to trains and tubes along the way.
Kids travel in groups and become public transport savvy very quickly. By the time they’re in secondary school / travelling on public transport is not scary, but I appreciate it feels daunting when looking at age 10.

Parents living in the same area also tend to car pool for late pick ups. Sixth formers can drive to school and leave their car there.

Parents are not allowed to leave car on school site but there is a small public car park nearby at Lloyd Park (which has a tram stop).

This thread is from 2020. Does anyone know of a more recent thread. My son who lives in Tooting Bec got a 2024 spot and I had some basic questions about the bus for at least the 1st year and over experience at the school. Thank you.

I know a family with a son in Y7 at Royal Russel. They chose the school because they wanted a nurturing environment, and also one which offers strong academic support without being too pressured. So far, they're very happy. (And it matters to you, I know they have football teams because my son's school sometimes have fixtures against RR.) Sorry I don't know much more than this. Commenting mainly to bump your post!

Thank you @TimeRider. Very much appreciated

My son’s also got a place @NKM7 , was just scouting Mumsnet for a thread like this! We’re dithering only because he can stay in his current school until Y8 and he’s a bit worried about leaving early. We’re also SE London so would also have the commute. However, we really liked the school! We thought the Head was great and loved the grounds. The vibes would really suit him - academic but not hot-housing with lots of extracurricular/ pastoral care. Obviously, this is just from a couple of visits so any first hand information would be great.

Hello.

Yes we are not that close in south London. Our son would take a bus to school. Likely 45 minutes. Does make me hesitant such a long journey. However we loved the head and the family feel of the school. Just hard to find people around us who are sending kids to the school to hear what they think personally. I was hoping to find some personal experiences on here but most threads talking about Trinity and Whitgift.

I personally don’t agree with academic overkill at this age which I think RR appears 2 balance quite well. I felt that way on their tours. I’m trying to find a school that can balance strong academic performance but also want kids to be kids. Plenty of time for academic pressure in college or university. I felt the head wanted that as well. I’m American and this school felt the most like an American school where they would push each child individually to be the best of who they are not as a whole group helping a school move up a leader board. Of course Americans also don’t put secondary schools on CVs and therefore post secondary experience no one will ever ask my son where he went to school. I want him to have the best overall school experience, have fantastic memories of having fun! That being said he is on the waitlist for Trinity and if that is lifted it’s the school I think my husband and son will pick which is the opposite of RR. 🤣 Bit of a plot twist if he has a spot at both.

Hello

My 2 DCs are now in sixth form having joined in Y7. I am very happy with choosing RRS over any of the nearby indies or grammar. Over the past 6-7 years I have seen my DCs flourish into two very different learners, equally supported by the school. And they’ve been member of various sports teams, gone on school trips, undertaken various charity challenges, were educated through Covid, and had lovely friendships with their co-Ed classmates.

The school is ‘different by design’ and in sixth form they offer National Diploma (BTech) alongside A levels - Russell Group universities accept both. Of course results matter as no independent school tolerates laziness and low grades - but it’s not just the straight A* students who are deified. If your child is in the top 5% academically at 11+ they will stay on that trajectory in RRS and not be ‘dumbed down’ (as I absurdly heard from a competitive mum once). If they need more learning support to meet their learning groove - the school will also help, but they expect effort and application from the pupil. A life lesson!

Of course no school is perfect - and I know some parents who have had a different experience, but I personally have not had been involved in dramas. The Head is a legend. He knows the name of every single pupil and is a visible leader to pupils and parents.

I haven’t been on this site for years but still get alerts. Hope this is helpful as I don’t think RRS parents tend to comment as readily as other nearby indie school parents (🤷‍♀️). Pls msg me if queries.

This was amazing to hear from a parent who has gone through to sixth form. Sounds like Royal Russell is an amazing school. Absolutely love hearing about the experience with the head master because that’s how he comes across in the open days. Thank you so much for taking the time. It’s been very hard to find conversations and the time you took to comment back is very much appreciated as it’s a big decision. Thank you!!!

No worries and please feel free to message me if you have any other queries. I remember trawling through mumsnet years ago and it’s knee deep with Trinity and Whitgift chat but virtually nothing on RRS or they are dated views.
They are all great schools - and ultimately depends on your child!