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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Dunottar School in Reigate

51 replies

Nbk123 · 02/02/2021 22:15

Hi we have an offer from this school and not much time to accept it. Are there any Dunottar parents out there who would be able to share their thoughts/experience with the school? Thanks

OP posts:
Blankscreen · 08/02/2021 22:15

We are in the same boat.

Really not sure what to do the results do not look great

Mamaof123 · 08/02/2021 22:21

Hi Blankscreen, we are in the same boat and not much time to decide?! Would seriously love some feedback.

Mamaof123 · 08/02/2021 22:25

@Blankscreen are you waiting on other offers too and did you get to visit the school?

Blankscreen · 09/02/2021 08:23

We are waiting for RGS on Friday we've managed to get a 1 day extension from Dunottar

Didn't get to look round either school 😕

What about you?

Mamaof123 · 09/02/2021 09:43

We got to see both and are also waiting on RGS although not very hopeful as I know it’s much harder to get into? We would be moving from London and only received Dunottar offer on Tuesday last week so really haven’t had much time. We emailed them for an extension but haven’t heard back so slightly panicking now and will have to phone them.
We saw both schools and honestly they wed both great. Dunottar had a great feel but I agree with you on the results and that is worrying me. Also I cannot see the 2020 results? Are you local to the area?

LIZS · 09/02/2021 13:36

Bear in mind Dunottar is the far less academically selective of the two so results will be more mixed and has only been operating as coed secondary for about 6/7 years. Sport facilities there are less extensive but RGS playing fields are on a different site.

Blankscreen · 09/02/2021 13:46

Lizs I always see you name on posts about schools local to me.

Do you think Dunottar will still push more able children - i think ds might just miss out on RGS. i've also heard horror stories about pupils being asked to leave RGS if their grades up to scratch which probably accounts for their amazing grades but that puts me off

LIZS · 09/02/2021 13:53

They certainly used to have bright kids achieving good grades and uni places but my dc are beyond that age now so a little out of date. I had heard anecdotally that RGS use more than one exam centre number to publish their stellar results.There is movement towards Reigate College at sixth form for the less academic and more vocationally minded.

BadSkiingMum · 10/02/2021 16:01

We are not too far from there and thinking about senior schools too. Its definitely seen as the 'less academic' option in the Regiate area. Nice place but definitely not to be compared to RGS or Caterham in terms of grades. The website talks a lot about 'added value' but it was quite hard to find a list of results when I last looked...plus you have to go off-site for most of the sports.

If you have bright DC then definitely accept a RGS or Caterham place if you get one, or look at somewhere like City of London Freemen's. Or the Trinity/Whitgift schools if you are moving from London.

There is also Royal Alexandra and Albert in Merstham/Regiate, which has the bonus of being completely free!

Mamaof123 · 10/02/2021 16:27

Thank you @BadSkiingMum we are waiting on RGS but I hear that it’s pretty competitive and they also have their own intake. This has been such an unpredictable year. I also could not see the value added details or the 2020 GCSE results for Dunottar. It could be that as it’s still changing the results will
also improve but I’m really not sure.

MadamFlutterby · 11/02/2021 09:26

I'm a Dunottar parent - couldn't be happier with the education overall and the online provision they have provided during the pandemic.

Mamaof123 · 11/02/2021 10:45

Hi @MadamFlutterby so nice to hear from a Dunottar parent. We have to accept our offer very soon and would really love to know about the school from a parents perspective. Fo you mind if I ask some questions? If not...
Do you feel like your child is being academically stretched? We couldn’t see the 2020 GCSE results on the website so not sure how the school performs? Did you consider other offers at the time?

MadamFlutterby · 11/02/2021 11:51

Academically stretched - yes. Bear in mind also that education is about the whole child, both academically and pastorally. There's no point stretching a child without having the support and encouragement along side. The school does very well on both counts, in my opinion.

Other offers - yes, we had Lingfield and Caterham on the table also. All 3 very different schools, offering different approaches and, obviously, with different commute times.

Mamaof123 · 11/02/2021 12:40

@MadamFlutterby thank you so much for the info. They seem do seem pastorally strong which is what we would like alongside academics. The setting was great and staff friendly. We are waiting on RGS tomorrow but I’m not too sure how that will go. Are you also happy with the school communication to parents? It sounds like you made a good decision!

Mamaof123 · 11/02/2021 12:41

Sorry one last question in the pandemic did they have live lessons? I’ve heard with secondary schools that there is less of the whole class together?

MadamFlutterby · 11/02/2021 12:54

Yes. From the outset of the pandemic they were already set up for remote learning so switching over 100% was immediate..

They have delivered every lesson, everyday and mirroring the normal school day hours - includes am and pm registration. So, the whole class dials into each lesson and have been able to collaborate together. They also have online co-curricular clubs and sporting challenges. Something for everyone. Quite frankly, they have been outstanding during the pandemic and very approachable.

BadSkiingMum · 11/02/2021 13:13

That's good news that they have offered a decent level of support during the pandemic.

I think it all depends on what you are looking for really...The destinations section of the RGS website talks about some quite prestigious universities and they have an 'Oxbridge coordinator', so it is evidently aiming at higher-attaining pupils.

TakeMeToYourLiar · 11/02/2021 13:20

@BadSkiingMum

That's good news that they have offered a decent level of support during the pandemic.

I think it all depends on what you are looking for really...The destinations section of the RGS website talks about some quite prestigious universities and they have an 'Oxbridge coordinator', so it is evidently aiming at higher-attaining pupils.

They do have high achievers but I personally know a child who was forced out for not being clever enough

It really dented their confidence

Mamaof123 · 11/02/2021 13:21

That’s impressive and definitely good for thought. Thank you

Blankscreen · 11/02/2021 13:31

Dunottar have sent an email today saying 20 places left - first come first served......

Mamaof123 · 11/02/2021 13:49

Yes it’s all a bit worrying. We haven’t had to go through this process before but it doesn’t seem usual? Causing me to panic slightly!

LIZS · 11/02/2021 13:51

@Blankscreen

Dunottar have sent an email today saying 20 places left - first come first served......
Shock
LIZS · 11/02/2021 14:05

I'm guessing some will hold places by paying deposit in the hope of getting a St Bedes place though.

lemonadesoda · 11/02/2021 14:22

I'm a Dunottar parent, and have two children there.

Overall, I've been very happy. My children are certainly very happy and engaged there.

I have one academically strong child, who is on track to get top grades across all GCSEs.

I have one academically strong but frankly lazy child, who is doing well. This child is younger child so not at the point of predictions yet, but the school seem to have a measure of him, and do push him.

The strength of the school really though is pastoral. They are very supportive and the children really thrive. The confidence (nice confidence not arrogance) that my children have gained from being there really shows. Co-curricular activities are strong and my children have had a go at everything from robotics to bee keeping to dissection club, as well as the more traditional sports/music etc.

Lockdown learning was full lessons, including co-curriculars from the get set go back in March. I'm really happy with the provision.

It isn't the same as RGS, the results won't be as good as the intake is less selective. But the children are really valued, and everyone is always encouraged to be the best they can possibly be.

It does appear to be getting more and more popular and oversubscribed.

Mamaof123 · 11/02/2021 15:02

@lemonadesoda thank you so much for your input. It sounds like they are able to cater for different types of pupils which is great. I think the GCSE results are also going to get better with time. Is there anything that you don’t like about the school?