Emanuel, Harodian, Ibstock place and Wetherby Senior School

[Defne]

Hello there, may I have your opinions on these senior schools. My son has just got an acceptance from Wetherby senior school to start at Year 7 in Sep 2021. I would be very thankful if you share your experiences about Wetherby, Emanuel, Harodian and Ibstock place .
Many thanks

You've got a bit of a geographical spread there!

Your DS is going to have to make the journey twice a day, so do factor that in. Ibstock is quite awkward on public transport, and the Harrodian not much better. So unless you live in one of the (fairly few) areas that do hook up well, then I'd only choose one of them if there was a very distinct reason to prefer. Because independent travel and mooching around with friends after school is important too.

Emanuel is increasingly popular (active choice, not fallback school these days). Newish head seems to have reassured everyone about academic level, but still a very good all round school. I don't know Wetherby Senior particularly well, bout the only first hand accounts I've heard have been very positive

All good schools, do you have a preference academically or pastoral care?

Daily logistics and proximity to home would be a primary concern for independence and hours commuting depending school extra curricular activities.

Thank you AnotherNewt. We live in Chelsea. We moved from Turkey to London in 2019, I haven’t got much idea about the schools and the system here until coming here. My daughter goes to Queens College which is very close to Wetherby. My son is not a native speaker, he is a very gentle Maths lover sensitive boy. We applied all these four schools based what we hear from other parents. I always heard very good recommendations about Wetherby. Wetherby senior confirmed his place this week, we are hoping to hear back from the rest of them next week about the outcome of his application. I am trying to familiarise myself with the logistics, due to lockdown we couldn’t visit the schools either. I am very impressed by the whole application process and how it is handled so much professionally by Emanuel. So here I am, trying to manoeuvre things around when the whole results come in.

Thank you MrsHGWells. I guess I give a big importance to pastoral care, I would be more than happy to see a satisfied purposeful happy boy at home.

Any thoughts on Wetherby senior? My son got an offer for Y9 entry in 2021. My only concearn is where they stand academically, I see not so great results and where do boys end up, do they have same opportunity for entry at the top universities or 6th form as from other more academically superior schools.

Wetherby fees are much higher than the other schools you mentioned, almost £5,000 a year more than Emanuel and £4,000 more than Ibstock. They are on a par with Westminster and St Paul’s although don’t have anywhere near the same facilities or academic outcomes. I presume because they are part of a private equity group with debt to service.

God, for an awful second I thought this was a Baby Names thread

Harrodian & Ibstock are too far particularly given Hammersmith Bridge is closed. I would not consider those journeys each day.

Though it will a decade to properly fix that bridge, for next term, TFL is planning a ferry service for students to cross the Thames and they building a temporary double-decker crossing within its structure.

Both H & I look like lovely well established schools. If travel is a concern, I would ring them to go over travel arrangements with them.

Certainly not on a par with Westminster and St Paul's!

Any updates on Wetherby Senior?

@Defne did you DS go to Wetherby in the end or a different school? Please could you update us on what the school is like or how things panned out for you. I am interested also in Wetherby, Ibstock, Harrodian and Emanuel.

Hello , yes my son is now at Wetherby Senior School. I am quite impressed with so many things at school. My son also loves school so much. First of all, teachers are amazing, pastoral service is excellent. No tolerance to bullying. Very hands on management and robust IT infrastructure. Parents are well informed all the time and teachers follow up kids performance closely. There are many extracurricular activities which help the kids to motivate about coming school. I am very grateful that I made the right choice.

I really loved the open day at Wetherby. Felt very vibrant, well-resourced, and the staff seemed impressive.
@Defne where do they go at break time? I didn’t see any playground and forgot to ask.

@Defne Hi there, May I please ask what to expect at interview stage for Wetherby senior school? Thanks for your help