Dunottar School in Reigate

[Nbk123]

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

[quote Mamaof123]@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?[/quote]
I don't think there's anything specific that I don't like tbh. Where there have been any concerns, the school is very quick to respond.

It's a small school, so generally things like sports teams don't tend to be league topping. That said, it means there's more opportunities for the average to good sports people to get the chance to represent the school. They're big on inclusivity.

I haven't doubted that it was the right choice for our children, but of course its all individual. I think my high achiever would have put an awful lot of academic pressure on herself at somewhere like RGS, but she's really blossomed in confidence and self esteem at Dunottar. She also loves things like sport and music which she's only fairly averagely good at really, she'd never have been picked for sports teams/solos at somewhere like RGS, but at Dunottar she does. My younger would probably have either not got a place at RGS or been kicked out, as he really is quite lazy, despite being naturally bright. Dunottar keep gently prodding him along! It's the best approach for him, because if you push too hard he shuts down.

I'm 99% sure we'll be keeping ours on at Sixth Form, despite having the very good (free!) option of Reigate College!

I echo everything @lemonadesoda says, for what it's worth.

We really are pleased with our Dunottar journey - it has been really positive for our teen.

We had the opportunity to attend a nearer school but ultimately left it to our teen to decide where to go - no doubt the choice made was a good fit.

BTW it was hinted up thread that Reigate College for 6th form is an option for the less academically minded - I have to disagree as I personally know several children who have have gone on to do degrees at uni and now teach/are something in the City etc. Likewise, for those for children I know who have stayed on for 6th form at Dunottar.

Of course, Dunottar now have their super new 6th form block - United Learning are really invested in Dunottar. All good improvements.

@MadamFlutterby I think that was my comment, in relation to those who stay on or leave RGS at 16. The initial 11+ intake at coed Dunottar is probably only just sixth form.

Thank you so much ladies, it’s definitely so useful hearing from parents. Some hard decisions to make and spaces going as I type I’m sure. I’m not too hopeful on an RGS place and I also hear the current year 6 of RSM was the bulge year so possible less spaces. Glad it’s all worked out for DC, the 11+ process has been testing.

Doesn’t it seem shocking to set the deadline for acceptance before the nearest rival school has even made its offers?

Isn’t it standard for the local independents to set the deadline a couple of days after the state allocations come out so people can make their choices based on full info.

I just think setting the deadline sooner, and then pressuring people by saying only 20 places left, doesn’t put them in a good light. Okay, so some people will pay up and later decline when they get the offer they really want. And they will also bad-mouth the school for forcing them to pay a deposit in the way they did when other schools set a deadline that lets them choose carefully.

Do they do this because they fear they aren’t top choice? Do they think that if people feel pressured to accept and then get the offer they really wanted, they will just stick with D as they have paid the deposit. I really don’t get the thinking behind it or it as a PR policy either.

We were confused by it @WombatChocolate as it meant that they only had to wait 2 days for the other offers. Perhaps they want to be the school of choice rather than the second option. My DH doesn’t want to be pressured or pushed and with us all working and home schooling we need a chance to talk it over without feeling rushed. I understand they have a waiting list so would like to get to those children too, it is a lovely school so I think they should have no problem really

We’ve also got a Dunottar offer. The original deadline was 3rd March (2 days after state schools) so it’s weird that they seem to have different deadlines for different people. Anyway we got the 20 places left, first come, first served email today so will see what happens. Also waiting on RGS tomorrow...

@WombatChocolate

Doesn’t it seem shocking to set the deadline for acceptance before the nearest rival school has even made its offers?

Isn’t it standard for the local independents to set the deadline a couple of days after the state allocations come out so people can make their choices based on full info.

I just think setting the deadline sooner, and then pressuring people by saying only 20 places left, doesn’t put them in a good light. Okay, so some people will pay up and later decline when they get the offer they really want. And they will also bad-mouth the school for forcing them to pay a deposit in the way they did when other schools set a deadline that lets them choose carefully.

Do they do this because they fear they aren’t top choice? Do they think that if people feel pressured to accept and then get the offer they really wanted, they will just stick with D as they have paid the deposit. I really don’t get the thinking behind it or it as a PR policy either.

Agree, it does pile on the pressure and smacks a bit of desperation.

Ahh, you see, I see that from a totally different perspective.

They are just communicating how many spaces are left. Certainly no desperation, merely factual that 60 spaces have already been secured. If you are seriously considering the school, wouldn't you rather know?

Imo, and certainly from my personal experience from my teens entry cohort a few years back now, there will always be a proportion of parents hedging their bets right up to the wire.

It works both ways.

Yes, but why give an acceptance deadline that is before other schools have made their offers? What if people are waiting to hear if they have a place at Reigate Grammar or Caterham, or at St Bedes or Reigate School?

The point is, that the other schools allow everyone to have all their offers before choosing.

I think they will come unstuck they gave such an early acceptance that people will risk £750 just to secure a place.

If you are looking at spending £150k on secondary school fees £750 is neother here nor there .

I'm pretty sure when ours had offers we didn't have to respond until after the state school places were announced.

Dunottar has been increasing in popularity year on year, so I wonder if they realise they've actually over-offered this year, with a higher rate of people taking up places? It's a pretty small school so I'm not sure they'd be able to accommodate a bulge year on site.

Presumably with 20 places left, they'll be in an "exploding offers" situation, which, as a parent, I wouldn't like. I'm not sure what else they can do once all their places are filled though. I imagine it results from a surge in popularity, rather than desperation. It's surely actually not in their interests to bring the deadline forward, as it's likely to encourage more people that would be unlikely to get other offers to panic accept and bring the overall academic level of the intake down.

I think the fact you have to accept before national offer day is completely shocking! That is definitely a new development this year as have been in receipt of offers in previous years for both my children. 5 years ago and 2 years ago the letters arrived on the same day as RGS and Caterham which is today (Friday of half term) and acceptance was March.
The new Head is desperate to be the school of choice in Reigate and really doesn't understand the local dynamics at all. Yes the pastoral may be good, but it doesn't detract from the lower academics or the high SEN ratios. He put me off my second child going there, with his hard sell and inability to accept that Dunottar was not at the same level as RGS or Caterham. You have to be honest and realistic about positioning to ensure you can provide differentiation for the teaching.
He was pushing the message so hard about university of choice for the leavers - then you dig and find out that there was 1 Russell group and a year group of 8 at U6th!

I will correct myself. 2 years ago the letter came out earlier than other schools but still had the acceptance dat in line with national offer day.

It ended with them withdrawing offers today. Hope everyone that was waiting on offers got places that they wanted.

So do the remainder form a waiting list?

@Mamaof123
What, so they sent an email saying that the offers had expired? What happens now...all seems a bit odd.

Yes I think if people are still interesting they can go on a waiting list in case anyone pulls out. I guess they are becoming more popular but we really weren’t expecting that. This year has certainly been tough

Hope you got the offer you wanted @Mamaof123

Namechanged for this as slightly controversial. We chose not to send our children there last year. They work hard to sell the school but their music, language and sport offerings are at best mediocre and IMO laying on niche clubs doesn't do enough to justify the fees. We know a good 30 or so of the children that went on to there, some trends - neurotic parents, children who like being centre of attention but lack self-confidence - potential disaster. Friends of ours also chose not to send their younger child there (older DC already attends) and instead sent them to a state school not too far away. Ultimately it depends what you're looking for for your fees - if it's a certain type of cohort then I would research carefully because you may not get that there, if it's academic excellence then it won't happen, if it's great lunchtime clubs then you're onto a winner. I'd just caution you that they're in growth / sales mode.

Thank you @Bellie99 and @Didcot27 I think it’s too late for us anyway but we have an offer from another school that we now prefer. We didn’t get RGS, which was a shame as we thought ds interview and assessments went well so perhaps they went on CATS more this year, which weren’t so high in our case.

@Mamaof123 pleased to hear that you are happy with the offer you have got, @Didcot27 I think you are spot on with your observation. The hard sell was reason I didn't choose Dunottar for my youngest.
It's good that there are a range of schools in the area to suit everyone by the sounds of it!

Avoid Dunottar at all cost. Caused immeasurable damage to our child through doing little about bullying. Some good staff - some terrible, but some staff outright abusive who have NO place in education. Our child suffered a breakdown as a result of teacher intimidation. We are not the only parents to withdraw their children from this school.

My child has thrived at Dunottar - full year group, no leavers - a positive experience for us.

We withdrew too. Look very carefully if you’re considering Dunottar. There are some amazing teachers but there are several that shouldn’t be in a classroom and clearly don’t like being around children