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Secondary education

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

Kingsley School Bideford

2 replies

devonlife123 · 02/11/2022 11:45

Looking for feedback on this school please. Moving from London to Devon with my two children aged 10 and 15, both very sporty and one is dyslexic.

OP posts:
Elithy · 03/11/2022 04:30

I wouldn’t bother! In fact I would avoid! Judo is supposed to be strong sporting wise but otherwise sport is not good. And don’t be fooled by the fact the school promotes it’s learning support. This can come at extra cost (paying for the cost of a teaching assistant)if an EHCP isn’t in place or while awaiting a decision. The buildings look scruffy and in many cases so do the students.
West Buckland or Shebbear College (if you’re looking to go private) are both worthy of consideration if Bideford is to be your area.

greenmash · 01/07/2024 19:24

Probably a bit late replying now but I sent my son there and would definitely recommend it.

Work has been done to smarten up the buildings So this has improved over the last couple of years.

Importantly Kingsley the only school in the area supporting the students wellbeing. Crucial after COVID and as we are facing a mental health crisis for so many kids now. It is such a relief to find a school that cares and is addressing this in its culture.

The Sen support has been great for my son who is dyslexic. And they arranged extra time for exams.well.

The timetable enables academic work in the morning and lots of sport in the afternoon.

I love the fact that they dont just offer the usual rugby and football that the rest do, but also surf academy which is amazing!, lots of judo, and many outdoor activities and environmental stuff. This seems more inclusive and very forward thinking.

Lots of high functioning neurodiverse kids are there and thriving together and so are more accepting of each other and themselves.

I think since COVID smartness of dress has become less relevant.

The main down side is art. The current art teacher is disinterested and uninspiring. Also no DT. - A huge loss as so many dyslexic kids are very visual.
The music is mediocre. They have a new music teacher who is trying but still has a long way to go. So don't expect too much there. I think they have some very good peripatetic instrumental teachers that come in though.

There are extra costs for many of the activities but that is always the way and can't really be avoided unfortunately.

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