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Secondary education

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Original poster

Marylebone boys academy, any insights?

35 replies

Ceilingplaits · 22/02/2023 12:22

I noticed we might live near enough to apply, but I know nothing about it except from its website.

Anyone whose children go there, or anyone who worked there?

I'd like an idea of what it's like academically: do they give enough to push children to achieve highly? I'd also like to know what they're like for behaviour and rowdiness, pastoral care, etc. as DC is shy.

Thanks.

OP posts:
AnnaPascoe · 02/03/2023 16:15

As parents it was a priviledge for our son to have attended Marylebone Boys School where he was so happy.
We truly appreciate the leadership of Mr Ardron, the Headteacher.
His vision wisdom and passion for MBS and the positivity and motivation of all staff members for students to strive for success daily clearly shows on results day!
Regular contact with form tutors and weekly newsletters keeping parents updated and informed is great...........

Marisquita · 02/03/2023 16:44

“Near enough to apply” - I don’t think it’s ever been oversubscribed, has it? Certainly when I visited for a potential application by DS (current Y6) we were told that any boy who applied would get in. Perhaps you meant near enough to be convenient. We didn’t apply, but you should find that they offer plenty of opportunities for visits in advance of applications.

OMVM2 · 30/03/2023 11:29

Amazing school - my son loves it, he’s in year 9. Doing really well academically and he’s being pushed. He’s in set 1 and finds it enough challenging to keep his interests going. Curriculum is great too. Traditional with Latin but with added modern elements. Music very much promoted with a lot of boys in jazz band, choir etc. Lots of after school clubs like debate, DofE, photography, wide sports choice, cooking, and lots lots more. Every boy needs to sign up for at least one a term / 3 a year.
No bullying or very rare and nipped in a bud immediately. Great pastoral care.
it is on a strict side but that keeps the boys in check.
I do think the school doesn’t get the credit they deserve. They moved location a few years ago hence the under subscription and I think it is still in its establishing stage.
I am sure it will be oversubscribed in the coming years.
I also think primary school parents see no outside space as an issue but the school has rooftop football pitch and they do PE in Regent’s Park which is amazing for boys. My son never even once complained about the lack of playground, they get too old for that in secondary.
Location is great - encourages professional behaviour school puts so much emphasis on. I also find lack of housing estates on the door step a good thing as kids don’t tend to hang out around school and disburse/ go home which stops potential issues arising like bullying etc.
Let me know if you need any more info, happy to connect!

Pinkglobelamp · 16/09/2023 11:04

OMVM2 · 30/03/2023 11:29

Amazing school - my son loves it, he’s in year 9. Doing really well academically and he’s being pushed. He’s in set 1 and finds it enough challenging to keep his interests going. Curriculum is great too. Traditional with Latin but with added modern elements. Music very much promoted with a lot of boys in jazz band, choir etc. Lots of after school clubs like debate, DofE, photography, wide sports choice, cooking, and lots lots more. Every boy needs to sign up for at least one a term / 3 a year.
No bullying or very rare and nipped in a bud immediately. Great pastoral care.
it is on a strict side but that keeps the boys in check.
I do think the school doesn’t get the credit they deserve. They moved location a few years ago hence the under subscription and I think it is still in its establishing stage.
I am sure it will be oversubscribed in the coming years.
I also think primary school parents see no outside space as an issue but the school has rooftop football pitch and they do PE in Regent’s Park which is amazing for boys. My son never even once complained about the lack of playground, they get too old for that in secondary.
Location is great - encourages professional behaviour school puts so much emphasis on. I also find lack of housing estates on the door step a good thing as kids don’t tend to hang out around school and disburse/ go home which stops potential issues arising like bullying etc.
Let me know if you need any more info, happy to connect!

Just saw this after I started my own thread asking about Marylebone Boys'.
This sounds good!

How strict is strict? I'm in two minds because my son's on the one hand very quiet and overly well-behaved, on the other hand anxious about rules in case he gets into trouble!

Martinisarebetterdirty · 16/09/2023 11:22

I don’t have DSs who attend but I work next door to this school, the behaviour of the boys when they are around Paddington is excellent. They all look smart and are respectful, really impressive.

roses2 · 16/09/2023 12:52

They are under subscribed so distance doesn’t matter. It’s not a well performing school though, their results are below average:

https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/school/140884/marylebone-boys'-school/secondary

CultureShockInTheSameCountryIsReal · 16/09/2023 13:46

Theses results are not below average, these results are amazing compared to other parts of the country - trust me on that one.

Just wanted to say, also looking at this school and wondering what people thought of it - behaviour, whether the kids are happy, teaching standards, communications with home etc.

Pinkglobelamp · 16/09/2023 14:13

roses2 · 16/09/2023 12:52

They are under subscribed so distance doesn’t matter. It’s not a well performing school though, their results are below average:

https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/school/140884/marylebone-boys'-school/secondary

I looked and their GCSE results seemed well above average. Am I misreading the info?

Pinkglobelamp · 16/09/2023 14:52

AnnaPascoe · 02/03/2023 16:15

As parents it was a priviledge for our son to have attended Marylebone Boys School where he was so happy.
We truly appreciate the leadership of Mr Ardron, the Headteacher.
His vision wisdom and passion for MBS and the positivity and motivation of all staff members for students to strive for success daily clearly shows on results day!
Regular contact with form tutors and weekly newsletters keeping parents updated and informed is great...........

That sounds hopeful! Any ideas what the school's like in terms of bullying, noisiness, etc. (for a very shy child)?

OMVM2 · 16/09/2023 16:03

It’s strict in a positive way - boys know they can’t bend the rules. Hardly any disruption in class. And because it’s small, compared to some schools, boys are treated and seen as individuals. They have open evenings soon - worth going to take a look!

OMVM2 · 16/09/2023 17:54

I actually moved my son from another school due to bullying and couldn’t be much happier. He’s in year 10 now and none of the nasty stuff he experienced in the other school ever took place here. They are very efficient when it comes to dealing with bullying if it even happens, that’s what I heard from other parents too.
As for noisiness - he’s in set 1 in most subjects and says there is no disruption. I assume it can get noisy during breaks but that’s expected with boys that age - we know a few shy boys and they are perfectly happy in the school. Hope this helps!

Pinkglobelamp · 16/09/2023 18:07

OMVM2 · 16/09/2023 17:54

I actually moved my son from another school due to bullying and couldn’t be much happier. He’s in year 10 now and none of the nasty stuff he experienced in the other school ever took place here. They are very efficient when it comes to dealing with bullying if it even happens, that’s what I heard from other parents too.
As for noisiness - he’s in set 1 in most subjects and says there is no disruption. I assume it can get noisy during breaks but that’s expected with boys that age - we know a few shy boys and they are perfectly happy in the school. Hope this helps!

That's really good to hear — thank you!
I've booked an open morning visit to have a look.

CultureShockInTheSameCountryIsReal · 16/09/2023 18:44

OMVM2 · 16/09/2023 16:03

It’s strict in a positive way - boys know they can’t bend the rules. Hardly any disruption in class. And because it’s small, compared to some schools, boys are treated and seen as individuals. They have open evenings soon - worth going to take a look!

I’m ok with strict in a positive way, it has lots of benefits and makes a better learning environment, but does this include things like detentions for a top button undone? That’s something I’m not a fan of.

OMVM2 · 16/09/2023 21:15

Oh no no - it’s not for silly things like that, though they’re expected to have their shirt tucked in at all times. Punctuality is important so they get detention if late. Professional look and behaviour is expected. Homework done on time etc. The only thing my son considers as silly is getting detention for forgetting your lanyard 🙄

Pinkglobelamp · 16/09/2023 23:06

Detention for shirt coming untucked sounds extreme!
I wonder if it's a trade-off: perhaps the only way a school achieves an acceptable environment is by enforcing strict rules.

OMVM2 · 17/09/2023 03:19

Yes, that would be extreme - I didn’t mean they get detention for untucked shirt but that they’re expected to have it tucked in. Rules are similar to every other school, it’s the fact that they are consequently expected to adhere to them is what keeps boys in check.
you’ll probably get a good feel for how the school operates on the open day, it’s a quiet and studious school.

Pinkglobelamp · 17/09/2023 09:21

OMVM2 · 17/09/2023 03:19

Yes, that would be extreme - I didn’t mean they get detention for untucked shirt but that they’re expected to have it tucked in. Rules are similar to every other school, it’s the fact that they are consequently expected to adhere to them is what keeps boys in check.
you’ll probably get a good feel for how the school operates on the open day, it’s a quiet and studious school.

😆 that's a relief. Yes, I'll definitely visit. Thank you so much for your input, it's really helpful hearing how parents have found it.

CultureShockInTheSameCountryIsReal · 17/09/2023 12:47

What’s the significance of the lanyards/why so important?

Pinkglobelamp · 18/09/2023 22:59

I was wondering that too. Passes to get into the school?

OMVM2 · 19/09/2023 08:18

Yes it’s a pass and also it holds a card that they record their points in.

CultureShockInTheSameCountryIsReal · 19/09/2023 08:33

Thank you. We are defiantly going for a look.

Wolvesart · 19/09/2023 08:55

OMVM2 · 16/09/2023 21:15

Oh no no - it’s not for silly things like that, though they’re expected to have their shirt tucked in at all times. Punctuality is important so they get detention if late. Professional look and behaviour is expected. Homework done on time etc. The only thing my son considers as silly is getting detention for forgetting your lanyard 🙄

Even the local sixth form college has sanctions for forgetting lanyards as it’s deemed a safeguarding issue

roses2 · 19/09/2023 19:13

Pinkglobelamp · 16/09/2023 14:13

I looked and their GCSE results seemed well above average. Am I misreading the info?

Show quote history

They perform below the LEA average. What am I missing? There are other schools in the area that perform better.

https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/school/140884/marylebone-boys'-school/secondary

Marylebone boys academy, any insights?
Pinkglobelamp · 19/09/2023 20:25

roses2 · 19/09/2023 19:13

They perform below the LEA average. What am I missing? There are other schools in the area that perform better.

https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/school/140884/marylebone-boys'-school/secondary

Show quote history

There are none we'd have any chance of getting into, though, as we're not that close.

Pinkglobelamp · 19/09/2023 20:27

roses2 · 19/09/2023 19:13

They perform below the LEA average. What am I missing? There are other schools in the area that perform better.

https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/school/140884/marylebone-boys'-school/secondary

Show quote history

They're below the LEA average, but quite a way above England's average.