Kings College Wimbledon - So Disappointed

[Iamnotsoexcited]

My son did incredibly well in his CAT scores (average of 131) so we decided to look at Kings in Wimbledon given its incredible reputation.

We were so disappointed in the school on the tour that we actually left before the Deputy Head could speak. Our overall impression was that:

1. There were no displays/artwork/celebrations of the kids in the corridors. As a result the school felt like a functional building not a celebration of the individuals, almost factory like.

2. The Design Technology Lab resembled that of an underfunded 1970s comprehensive. Engineering and technology are the future, to deny this just seems ignorant. It feels like they are creating children for the finance jobs of today which will not be the roles of the future.

3)An almost claustrophobic air in the classrooms up to GCSE, kids tightly bunched in with no space between desks which were arranged haphazardly. It would not be working environment an adult would thrive in, so I am not sure a child would.

Overall, it had an aggressive feel about the place which I was so surprised about. The sixth form centre, with its low ceilings and lack of space, was the worst. The bell went and shutters went down on the cafe loudly, straight away, as though the staff had had enough and were done. This is at odds with other schools which are creating open coffee shops all day to allow for kids to collaborate together in a positive environment.

I put emphasis on academic achievement, but I was shocked at how negatively I felt about the school. From my son's prep school I know other parents are feeling the same way as me. I am wondering if Kings will be a bit like Blockbuster the video store, riding high until one day because it fails to keep pace with the times, will just lose its shine completely?

What do you think?

Thanks @Elij00, agree that an average of 137 is just non-sensical.

I’ve been trying to work out why this particular misconception winds me up as much as it does. And I think it’s this: on MN as well as more widely, there is often criticism that the pupils at some private schools are arrogant and entitled. Unfortunately, for some pupils at some schools this may be justified. If the parents and pupils at these schools believe their kids are all super highly gifted rather than “just” very bright (not to mention very fortunate to have parents who can afford to, and want to, pay for private education) then this feeds this arrogance and sense of superiority.

@
11Plus2022

No worries. I won't get too worked about it tbh as Mumsnet is an echo chamber. If you simply get your info about the UK educational system from Mumsnet, you'd think the majority of us attend Independent schools and we all know that's not the case. Heck even amongst State schools, you'd think Grammar schools are the most popular school of choice going by Mumsnet and again we know that's not the case.

With regards to arrogance and entitlement, thankfully it's only an incredibly small minority that feel that way but you can definitely sense it even here on Mumsnet. That's why you have posters saying their kids places at Top Unis are being taken by State kids as if the Ultra Bright kids can only be found at the Highly Academic schools.

Isn't it also based around their extra-curricula activities too?

For instance a boy with 128 and who is playing for Chelsea youth football squad might be given a place because of course, he's going to be in the A team and contribute something to the school outside of academic success.

At 128, that child is going to more than capable of getting 7,8 and 9s come GCSEs etc.

I think the conversation misses the point that there are surely some who are accepted with slightly lower points but who offer something else?

Music, drama, art - there are other aspects to a boy than just his CATs surely?

Fascinating thread. My views are based in my experience as a lecturer and admissions tutor in an upper level but non-elite Russell Group STEM School.

So I understand the value of IT etc for all. But @Cheshirewife is correct that in the RG at least Maths, FM, Physics, other sciences and intellectually demanding subjects are more valued A Levels. CS and Engineering are taught fresh at uni within a much more sophisticated intellectual framework. We can provide the content to students who are ready for it.

Stumbled on this thread today. I just want to say that I disagree that you don't choose the school your DC go to. No you don't choose how well they do on the day but you do choose which schools/exams they sit. From visiting to choose a prep school, I discarded some schools because they weren't a good fit or I wasn't happy with them on some things. I'm sure I'll have to cast my net much wider for the 11+ but I'm also sure that there are schools I will discard and DC will not sit their exam.