St Dunstan’s College or Kingsdale Foundation School

[carrie4825]

We live Sydenham and both st Dunstan’s and kingsdale are fairly easy to get to. We are in a fortunate position where our daughter has gotten a place in St dunstan’s college (independent school) but has also a place at Kingsdale. I know the pros of an independent school but what are the cons, if any. She also has a younger sibling we need to consider.

I would disagree - my DD is a current student and I don't recognise anything you have written.

None of DD's teachers have left in the 2 years she's been there, no sharing of classrooms or being taught in the dining hall.

Can't fault the comms, the music provision or the academic teaching - DD is high ability but with SEN so not completely straight forward. Honestly can't think of anything I would criticise.

I find it a little odd that your only posts seem to be the same thing on this school including posts that are years old?

The last two years have been blighted by Covid and talking to friends with children at other schools, the provision at KFS seems to have been considerably better than most - especially the extra curricular provision and online learning.

I've just asked DD about classes sharing and classes in the dining hall as she has never seen this at all, even when a lot of staff were off with Covid. Some of her classes only have 10 students so doesn't seem as if there are massive space issues.

Not every school will suit every child, but I can only give an honest assessment of how we have found it. I'm not one of those parents who leaves their kids to get on with things and have no problem being 'THAT' parent if needed. I'm quite sure that there will be things that will eventually annoy me, but so far either we've been incredibly lucky or everything seems to be working pretty well.

I meant to reply on this thread and did that one by accident. I was just trying to be honest and helpful as a fellow mother

We chose Kingsdale in the end. Financially the better option and our youngest stands a good chance on getting in as a sibling so they'll benefit from their art provisions. Our eldest is very academic and has just received the maths scholarship as well as being on the gifted and talented programme for sports. It seems a good allrounder school for both of them.

I know people have very different opinions on the same schools and it depends on their own child's experience and friendship groups. We are hoping all will go well in September.

Sounds like a wise choice. A lot of kids at my eldest primary have gone on to Kingsdale and everyone is super happy with it.

We are over the moon with Kingsdale, and so are parents around me. A lot of criticism comes from parents who didn't get in ..but ' heard' things..