City of London Freemen's School (CLFS)

[AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye]

Seeking views (ideally from direct experience) on CLFS. We are SW London and it is one of the schools on our radar for 11+ (2023 entry). Academic results seem outstanding but I am really interested on pastoral care (for a down-to-earth and sociable but also slightly anxious DD) and also sports, art, and music provision. Many thanks in advance.

Our DD has received an offer and it is one are seriously considering. Also impressed by open day, friendly staff and pupils.

That’s great! Is that for y6?

I did go to the open day and the HM was talking almost only about pastoral care (and almost everyone fell half asleep). So that quite likely had been an issue in the past, and the emphasis on this meant this issue must have been dealt with. I have a friend whose DD is there and she loves the school and nothing negative reported.

It’s so good to finally hear some positive feedback, after all previous threads about this school. DS is so excited about the offer and I would be relieved to know if those cases were indeed a matter of the past! From what @AC7001 says it sounds like school has taken note and made some good changes for better pastoral care 👍

I agree that it appears they have learnt from past incidents and the emphasis on pastoral care is strong. No school will be perfect, but listening, responding and learning is a key trait of leadership.
It would be interesting to hear from other current parents whether they are experiencing that shift.

my DS just been offered a place and we are interested although not first choice. we are v local abd know lots of v v happy kids there. I am unnerved by the comments. I will be raising this with them tbh but the parents i know with kids there from yr 7 to yr 12 have no complaints at all. it is for academically robust kids without a doubt and those who are competitive and like a challenge.

We know lots of parents with kids at CLFS, often with 2/3/4 kids there, who are very happy with it. Agree it’s best suited to naturally academic and robust but suspect you could say that about most selective indies. I think they have learned from previous experience and made an effort to change the culture.

I would say robust, independent, resilient types will do best. I don’t believe the issues raised are anything to do with academic failure - it’s about pastoral care. My impression is the selection is pretty sound on the academic front. There are happy children there for sure and some not so happy and it’s knowing in the latter situation that children are looked after. I have pretty happy kids there but I am aware of those who are not. Possibly there is a shift to a more pastoral approach which would be excellent. The ethos is there in theory and it sounds like the words are going in the right direction but is it translating on the ground? - I don’t know. Maybe others can say.

Unfortunately some of the blame for this is on parents who tutor like crazy and to get their children in schools that aren’t really right for them. I know people who have done this, went against prep schools advice/recommendations and then are annoyed when a year or so later they have an unhappy child - this happens at other local schools too, I have a pal at RGS with a child in exactly this position. It makes it difficult for the child, the school and the parents.

I also think parents, current and prospective, should be asking loudly and frequently about these things - approach to bullying, pastoral support etc. that is most likely how change on the ground will happen.

I do think a change of headteacher would do CLFS the world of good, when even the pupils know about your sex life and are laughing at you, it’s surely time to move on!

Sorry to hear about your experience, it does seem like bullying is something they have failed to tackle properly on more than once occasion and glad your DC is thriving at a new school. We are lucky to be an area with so many good options.

@Motherofkitteys How recently were you there? This is definitely making me worry and rethink.

I'm glad to hear life is better elsewhere. Can you share what other schools you considered. A nice stable head is not easy to find. We are keen on St John's but their head has been ousted, I believe for similar behaviour to what has been mentioned here. We are also keen on Epsom, but their head is new this year so unknown.

My DC was bullied horrendously, both physically and verbally. We went in to see both heads and assorted teachers numerous times and little or nothing was done, even when I had written evidence of the little shits bullying my DC, and even when my DC was the victim of quite serious physical violence, which in the real world would quite possibly have led to criminal charges. My DC was diagnosed with PTSD and the CLFS experience has left lasting damage to our family. From the parents I know with children still there, nothing has changed - I heard of a really horrendous incident last year (won't divulge details). I would give my right arm not to have sent my DC there - it is a decision I will regret to my dying day. I too was extremely impressed by the open day and the talk of pastoral care - but that is all it is - talk. A lot of children left after the fifth form this year and didn't go into the sixth form, which is quite telling. I wish you all luck with your choice.

If the rumours are true, it's not just the senior school headmaster who has had, ahem, an unfortunate dalliance. All this talk of robust types is all very well but do you want your child to be a bully? What if something happens and your child has an unexpected vulnerability? This "I'm alright Jack" attitude won't help you when your child has their possessions stolen, is mocked by a teacher in front of the class for having a stutter, is physically assaulted, is given a nickname by a teacher they don't like, is ignored, or told they are ugly or fat. Or when they go to the staff for help and are ignored or not helped or, worse still, victimised by the staff as a result. A leopard cannot change its spots.

@Motherofkitteys @Epwell
Thank you for your candid feedback, definitely hoping that when most schools offer in February, we have other options.

We're doing 11plus. We have some interviews lined up in the new year but nothing else we did has offers out yet. Also a couple of neighbouring schools that we like have their exams in January.

We have time to wait for all the information, it is just hard waiting. Thankfully all schools seem to ask for 11plus decisions in early March. Most will offer in early February and then allow you to revisit before the decision deadline.