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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Ibstock Place School

44 replies

CoffeeandWalnutCake · 16/02/2022 22:16

Does anyone have any thoughts about Ibstock Place School? It was a bit of a last minute decision to apply, my daughter didn’t think the exam went well, but we have an unexpected place. It’s the most convenient location of our offers so giving it some serious thought. The children all seem beautifully behaved, the school seems calm and has such stunning facilities. But is it a happy place? It’s all a bit too perfect? Any insight or experience appreciated!

OP posts:
Talk4000 · 17/02/2022 10:53

Google Ibstock and Mumsnet together and read some old threads.

Despite all that we'll probably apply as it seems like it's changing. I hope someone can comment positively here with new fresh views as well.

Jenniferleung · 17/02/2022 11:21

@CoffeeandWalnutCake

My DD also got ibstock offer but we decided to turn down because I don't want to put my DD at risk after reading all threads.

What other offers do u have on hand?

Original poster
CoffeeandWalnutCake · 17/02/2022 11:57

@Jenniferleung we have Surbiton and Emanuel WL. Which school are you likely to go for, if you don’t mind me asking?

Like you, I’ve read some old threads, and that is what is concerning me. I’d love to hear positive recent stories. We’re coming from a fairly mixed state school, so Ibstock might be a real shock to the system. That said, previous threads speak positively about the teaching, the other children, the facilities….makes me think that surely the school can’t be that bad?

OP posts:
Jenniferleung · 17/02/2022 13:05

@CoffeeandWalnutCake DD really loves Emanuel and I also feeling the school culture is more down to earth which maybe more comfortable for both me and my DD.

We will likely pick Emanuel.

Jenniferleung · 17/02/2022 14:25

@CoffeeandWalnutCake just received a very positive comment about Emanuel that I would like to share here.

Friend's DD failed to get offer from Emanuel. My friend sent email for feedback. Emanuel replied in details of the performance, gave encouraging and comfort messages etc. My friend was so impressed Emanuel really cared about the students even for those they rejected. U know, there are school either not replied or replied in rude words (don't want to say the school names here).

Original poster
CoffeeandWalnutCake · 17/02/2022 16:24

@Jenniferleung that’s lovely to hear about Emanuel, it did have a nice feel to the school.

OP posts:
Talk4000 · 17/02/2022 19:31

@Jenniferleung congratulations to your DD for her space at Emanuel. We really liked the school too. I'd appreciate knowing more about how much tutoring (if you did any) and what you materials you used to get into Emanuel. We tried at the 10+ in December but we are on the waiting list and I don't imagine it will move much so we will have to try again at 11+. Please do PM if you have any tips and would be happy to share. Thank you :)

Jenniferleung · 18/02/2022 00:32

@Talk4000 yes indeed it is super hard to get a place in Emanuel now. I hear sooooo much positive comment about Emanuel. My DD feels like dream comes true when she received offer.

U really need to be strong at both English and Maths, in addition, the 11+ interview is not as easy as 10+ because there will be a tricky question which totally out of the listed questions. You cannot prepare much about it. But I guess if you have good result in the written papers, you have higher chance to get it.

Yet, Emanuel is getting more and more popular now, whether you can get a place highly depends on your competitors. Anyways, work harder and good luck!

SlightlyJaded · 18/02/2022 00:42

I know lots of kids that went to Ibstock (some of whom have stayed on and are there for sixth form). Most have had a healthy, happy time of it. I know of a couple of kids who have struggled with various issues (drugs/eating disorders). I also know of girls and boys at Putney High/Emmanuel and Godolphin who have had similar problems.

The main Ibstock issues that I know of are all rooted in the fact that previous head was very influential over the way the school was run, cold and had firm favourites - entire families (especially celebrity ones) - which meant others didn't get much of a look in. There was a lot for 'money on show' and not enough strong pastoral care going on. All that is improving quite significantly now that she has left.

The school has beautiful grounds and does well academically. I would not write it off too quickly.

GandTtime · 18/02/2022 19:03

I have dc at Ibstock and we all love it! I would not read too much into the old threads on mumsnet as they are historical and the school is changing lots under new headship.

travelturtle · 18/02/2022 22:00

@Jenniferleung we are also deciding between Emanuel and Ibstock and likely to go for Emanuel as it seems more down to earth and my son LOVED it when we looked round. He hasn’t seen Ibstock yet though (other than during exams!). We are going back to both open days on Thurs. Where would your DD be travelling from?

Jenniferleung · 18/02/2022 23:18

@travelturtle congrats to ur DD! We are from Putney. I think in terms of facilities both are similar. Just my DD loves the vibes in Emanuel. Ibstock is probably not bad but the review of Emanuel is tooooo good that I don't want to miss it and regret at the end.

Groundhogday2021 · 18/02/2022 23:49

I know parents of dc at Emanuel who say it is really ‘chaotic’ but in comparison IPS is much more organised. Horses for courses I suppose.

travelturtle · 19/02/2022 09:54

@Jenniferleung congrats to your DD too! We are Richmond so technically closer to Ibstock but actually the travel time is about the same. Pretty sure we will accept Emanuel unless anything changes dramatically at the open days. My son just loved it.

orangeplum · 19/02/2022 16:13

Totally agree with Gandttime. The historic posts are in the main relating to the old head. The school has changed a lot recently. Lots of new initiatives and actively engaging and listening to views of children, parents and teachers. My DC thriving, doing well academically and sports wise and v happy.

Really recommend keeping an open mind, going to the Open Day and seeing the school for yourself.

orangeplum · 19/02/2022 16:14

I should have said my post above related to Ibstock!

HighRopes · 19/02/2022 16:19

The Head of Dance just left at Christmas. She’s quite famous in the ballet world, which is how I heard about it. If you were looking at IPS because of the superb ballet and other dance provision, I’m not sure what has happened / will happen to that. Which is a shame, as they were becoming a really interesting option for DC not right for vocational school but who wanted on-site, serious amounts of high quality dance tuition, perhaps with a view to potentially auditioning at 16 or other types of careers in dance.

HackettGreen · 20/02/2022 12:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request.

ali40 · 21/02/2022 22:04

Both my dc are at IPS and so happy, the new head was the deputy and so really knows the school well but is certainly making improvements to pastoral care and really listening to parents and childrens ideas.

travelturtle · 25/02/2022 19:25

@Jenniferleung and @CoffeeandWalnutCake how are you getting on with your decisions? We went to the Emanuel and Ibstock open days yesterday and pretty sure we are going to accept Emanuel (my son loved the taster lesson there and is buzzing about the school). Booked into the tour at Emanuel on Monday so my husband can finally see the school but pretty sure that’s our choice. Wondering how others are getting on?

Original poster
CoffeeandWalnutCake · 25/02/2022 19:29

@travelturtle we went to the Ibstock open day yesterday, the new head is far better than the old one, that’s for sure! We really liked it, I think there’s tangible change under the new head, for the better.

OP posts:
travelturtle · 25/02/2022 19:35

Yes agreed. We really liked Ibstock but can only accept one. Their facilities are amazing and we were impressed by all the staff and pupils that we met.

Babymomma47 · 02/03/2022 11:59

I had a very different experience with Emmanuel whilst my son didn’t get a place I sent an email asking for feedback a few weeks ago and have heard nothing back at all which is a shame.

Jenniferleung · 08/03/2022 11:27

@travelturtle sorry for replying late. We ended up choosing St James Senior Girls. We were impressed by the 'personalised' education which is flexible in response of different DD's talent. The extremely good pastoral care is very different from other schools too. I can feel that everyone is whole heartedly into the school. Of course the exam results are so good too.
We gave up Emanuel and Ibstock though we may miss the big pitches yet the money in St James paid for really attentive education that I think more suitable for my DD.

Broccolimagic · 16/03/2022 08:37

@CoffeeandWalnutCake hello - did you go for Ibstock in the end? We have chosen Ibstock and have heard so many good things about it from current parents and children. Hope you found somewhere you are happy with, whatever the decision.

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