Marylebone boys academy, any insights?

[Ceilingplaits]

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.

I am surprised at the positive comments on this thread. On the local facebook page (I am local to this school), the comments are not very complementary.

Considering the school my DS was meant to be going to has 5+ GCSEs - 29% and the other is 16%, im really not put off by those results. I do appreciate I’m looking at it from a really low baseline though.

Good shout about Facebook. I didn’t even think about that, I’ll be checking those comments out and seeing if it’s anything that will concern us. Thanks.

Oh would be interesting to see and read! What group is that?

The LEA and national averages will include girls and mixed schools. I think the national average for all boys at state schools is around 47% (can’t remember exactly) so 63% seems good for a boys school. I went to look around for my DS a couple of years ago and the head spoke about looking at the GCSE results in that context. (I quite liked the school BTW, but chose somewhere more local for DS in the end).

That's a really great point about mixed schools vs boys only - thank you!

What's the local Facebook page called?

Maida Vale Parents

Just thought I'd come on this old thread to say we've found MBS brilliant so far. We were so worried about DS coping at secondary school, but he's had no problems at all, really loves it. Says staff and other boys are so friendly. I've found the teachers so helpful with any questions. It's been good academically too so far. DS is quite high academically, was bored at primary school, top in SATS, so has enjoyed learning Latin and more challenging maths as well as the practical things (MBS has lots of clubs like crafting/DT, pottery, as well as sports).

Just wanted to recommend the school as it's quite new and I think people don't know about it so much. There's not much good choice for boys where we live, so this has been such a good experience.

Thank you for sharing your experience. What is SEN provision like? Do they use lots of sanctions ? Where do they do sports/games?

I haven't experience of the SEN provision, although I noticed they have that and welfare/wellbeing support available and staff seem very open to being contacted and discussing students' needs.

They have an ethos of focusing on rewards and understanding rather than punishment, so although they have quite a strict-seeming system of detentions and sanctions to ensure things are kept in order, it's done in a friendly and communicative way, if that makes sense. A very nurturing feel, fostering responsibility rather than antagonism.

Sports so far have been in two gyms in the school. They have P.E. twice a week and there are after school sports clubs also. The main drawback of this school is no outdoor space apart from the sports pitch on the roof.

Otherwise, it's been great.