Luckley House

[SchoolThoughts2023]

Does anyone have any experience of this school? Am conflicted as we went to see it and DD really liked it but it technically doesn’t tick any of our boxes as we wanted a larger, all girls, academic school for DD and it’s a small co-ed school.

So any feedback, particularly around - the academics, what it’s like pastorally, and how well the boys have integrated would be useful.

For context, DD is very bright but not an alpha type and hates the whole bitchy thing that can happen in groups of alphas. She’s currently in a class full of alphas at a small private primary and it’s taken her ages to settle and learn to ignore them. She has finally found some girls that she’s become friends with, but that’s why I’m slightly worried about the whole large academic girls school which might be stuffed full of alphas (and I don’t want her to be miserable….)

Ah. Luckley is a school of non-alpha children, basically. I would say it's predominantly suitable for children who might be overlooked elsewhere. It's a lovely, nurturing, school. It caters to kids across the ability spectrum and does the best for all of them. It's NOT loud, and I would describe the entire ethos as 'nice'. It's just a very nice school which encourages children to be nice.

The boys are fairly well integrated in now- but I'd say they're the male equivalent of the girls: nice.

@Curioushorse

Ah. Luckley is a school of non-alpha children, basically. I would say it's predominantly suitable for children who might be overlooked elsewhere. It's a lovely, nurturing, school. It caters to kids across the ability spectrum and does the best for all of them. It's NOT loud, and I would describe the entire ethos as 'nice'. It's just a very nice school which encourages children to be nice.

The boys are fairly well integrated in now- but I'd say they're the male equivalent of the girls: nice.

Thanks! Do you know what the general thoughts are around the new Head? And, as you confirmed, it looks like it does get good results for the bright kids even though there is a spectrum of abilities. Do they encourage the kids to be ambitious?

Hullo! So I think people are happy with the new head- but it's still fairly early days, and the previous head was much beloved.

I think brighter kids are definitely encouraged and pushed- they sent kids to Oxbridge last year. But obviously very academic kids push each other. In a smaller, mixed ability environment, you're not going to get a high pressure situation where loads of top ability kids are battling against each other at the top end. You should choose a different school if you want that.

But I think it does encourage children to be ambitious in loads of other ways and at loads of different levels. Some of the weaker students go off to do very impressive things for their ability level- and in sporting terms I know they've had several kids who represent Team GB for different things.

It’s very nurturing and friendly. The co Ed has been a great success, it’s very popular locally. The girls and boys are encouraged not only to do their best academically, but also to think what they can give back. The art/drama/music departments are very active and everyone is encouraged to have a go at different things. Loads of extra curricular activities too.
Ive had dc’s at a couple of other schools, and this one is lovely, has definitely been my favourite.
6th form is also excellent, they support students with an EPQ, and are really good at helping them through the whole ucas experience.