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Secondary education

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Original poster

Emanuel school recent experience

69 replies

ash86i · 23/02/2023 14:17

DC (and us parents) are deciding between 3 schools after his 11+. Our top choice at the moment is Emanuel. We like the grounds, the location and the recent A levels, GCSE results and university places. My only reservation is that DC is quite academic and has strong maths, english, science... however not very sporty or into theatre/drama, as in will take part but not passionate about the latters. I would love to hear from parents with DC currently in Emanuel or who have chosen it over others, specially in terms of academic stimulation and challenging in core subjects. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
ash86i · 02/03/2023 14:14

Thanks for sharing @NNat it does seem that the school looks for a range of kids with different abilities.

However I don't think one isolated example should be used to reflect on the school as a whole, FWIW I have heard from parents currently at one of the boys schools you mentionned about instances of bullying (some racism based) and theft but wouldn't judge the whole school based of that if it has been addressed.

OP posts:
HawaiiWake · 02/03/2023 14:40

@NNat , a kid is expelled or not, about to be expelled sounds like rumours. We heard so many stories about difficult kids in all the top secondary schools that it started to sound like a casting for Lord of the Flies. As another MN mentioned it is how the school response and handle it all.

Chelseacoffee · 02/03/2023 17:30

There are hundreds of children in each school, and I am sure there will be isolated incidents everywhere.

Nina11 · 02/03/2023 17:39

Actually that’s my observation too. Highly sporty but problematic kids got to the school but high achievers didn’t.

Original poster
ash86i · 02/03/2023 18:26

@Nina11 I can only speak from my own experience, my child is not highly sporty and definitely not problematic! The only other child from DC’s school who was offered a firm place is similar and both are in top sets of Maths and English currently at school.

OP posts:
Chelseacoffee · 02/03/2023 19:51

my DC and couple of the kids who got in a couple of years ago from our prep are definitely not problematic too. In fact, most of my DC’s friends are either exceptional in sport or drama, or very good in Maths/English. The overwhelming majority are exceptionally nice and well behaved, and very interesting to talk to!

Edwina83 · 02/03/2023 20:38

I also have a child at the school and don't recognise being low achieving and problematic as selection criteria for being offered a place.

The children(several) from my child's primary who were offered places were almost entirely the children you'd expect based on academics. However, like with other schools, i'm sure children who are exceptional at music/drama/sport are looked favourably on.

HarryBurns · 02/03/2023 21:11

@ash86i congratulations to your DS.

I have a DD in year 11 at Emanuel. She was neither top academically at her prep school nor a sports star. She has loved her time at Emanuel so far. Her academics have improved far beyond our expectations. She plays several sports on various team levels and has really enjoyed all. She has been involved in lots of drama productions which have been a highlight for her.

Two girls in her year group (that I know of) applied to Kings for 6th form and both received offers. One has accepted & the other decided to stay at Emanuel.

I think that similar to all these schools, some teachers are exceptional, many are solid and there is the odd tricky one. I have DCs at other London independent schools and have the same experience.

I know that lots of people have a negative view of Emanuel due to its past reputation/lack of academic prestige, in particular those parents who remember it when they were at school. Some people almost seem irritated by the fact that it has become more popular in recent years and seem very dubious about its greatly improved academic results. There is further suspicion that not everyone who gets offered places at what are considered to be 'more academic schools' gets offered a place at Emanuel at 11+.

I think its true that they possibly take a wider range of academic abilities than some of the other SW schools (although I think its narrowing each year) but there is no doubt in my mind that any student who is academically able and wants to succeed will be supported on every level. They had I believe 11 Oxbridge offers & several Ivy League offers last year.

Although, we picked the school because we particularly liked the fact that it had a slightly wider range of abilities, a sibling policy and the culture seemed quite relaxed and cheerful.

JuliasBiscuit · 02/03/2023 22:05

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Original poster
ash86i · 03/03/2023 08:13

@HarryBurns thanks for your detailed feedback. It’s great to hear your DD is doing so well. Good luck to her for the rest.

OP posts:
Pigeon25 · 03/03/2023 10:33

HarryBurns · 02/03/2023 21:11

@ash86i congratulations to your DS.

I have a DD in year 11 at Emanuel. She was neither top academically at her prep school nor a sports star. She has loved her time at Emanuel so far. Her academics have improved far beyond our expectations. She plays several sports on various team levels and has really enjoyed all. She has been involved in lots of drama productions which have been a highlight for her.

Two girls in her year group (that I know of) applied to Kings for 6th form and both received offers. One has accepted & the other decided to stay at Emanuel.

I think that similar to all these schools, some teachers are exceptional, many are solid and there is the odd tricky one. I have DCs at other London independent schools and have the same experience.

I know that lots of people have a negative view of Emanuel due to its past reputation/lack of academic prestige, in particular those parents who remember it when they were at school. Some people almost seem irritated by the fact that it has become more popular in recent years and seem very dubious about its greatly improved academic results. There is further suspicion that not everyone who gets offered places at what are considered to be 'more academic schools' gets offered a place at Emanuel at 11+.

I think its true that they possibly take a wider range of academic abilities than some of the other SW schools (although I think its narrowing each year) but there is no doubt in my mind that any student who is academically able and wants to succeed will be supported on every level. They had I believe 11 Oxbridge offers & several Ivy League offers last year.

Although, we picked the school because we particularly liked the fact that it had a slightly wider range of abilities, a sibling policy and the culture seemed quite relaxed and cheerful.

Our DD just went through 11+ and we accepted the Emanuel offer this week. Her CATS were in the range of 125-135 depending on subject.

Twickmum1 · 03/03/2023 10:40

My DCs CATs range from 124 to 137 and didn’t get an offer. We were very disappointed as it was our first choice. But we have accepted KGS.

JuliasBiscuit · 03/03/2023 11:27

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Yarnie · 03/03/2023 11:52

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We have accepted my son’s offer from Emanuel. His CATS were 131-141 across the different areas.

JuliasBiscuit · 03/03/2023 12:04

This reply has been withdrawn

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AnotherNewt · 03/03/2023 12:39

I think you'd be OK on 122 if sibling or scoring a co-curricular scholarship. I think it's one of the good things about Emanuel is that it isn't only the top academic scores that get offers - top set DC are indistinguishable from other schools, but there's more variety in the school body as a whole. But it's not a shoe-in - siblings and scholars still have to reach the pass mark, and that has been rising (and some siblings don't get in)

Performance and required entrance scores have been creeping up since the early 20-teens and have really shot up since 2017 when new headmaster arrived.

Original poster
ash86i · 03/03/2023 14:41

@JuliasBiscuit DC’s was 130 on the dot with higher scores in verbal/quantitative than spatial/nonverbal.

I think DCs with lower CAT scores will probably have strong drama or sports to back that up..

OP posts:
JuliasBiscuit · 03/03/2023 14:59

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Chelseacoffee · 03/03/2023 15:02

There is no 13 plus as far as I know. However, it’s worth joining the wait list. A couple of children moved as their families moved etc last year and new kids joined.

alltheleaves · 03/03/2023 15:44

No 13+ anymore but there are occasional places because of children leaving.

Londonsummer · 03/03/2023 16:53

We picked Emanuel too with 130+ CAT average and turned down LU. There is definitely a buzz about it and going from strength to strength. We look forward to being part of the journey.

For anyone who did not get an offer, your DCs are super-bright and will do really well at your chosen schools. They are all so lucky to have such wonderful alternatives and I am sure they will make the best of the opportunities that await them.

Otterhound · 03/03/2023 18:19

May not be relevant right now but last year 17 pupils did further maths A level.
17 students got A*
its a great school and if you are gifted you will not be let down.
lets face if you want to get your kids into Oxford or Cambridge these days send them to the worst comprehensive you can find and pay for private tutoring

knopka · 04/03/2023 15:05

Anecdotal but both of our DSs who were offered had mean CAT4 scores above 130, highest being 141 in verbal for both.

Aelgomum · 01/10/2023 09:40

This is great feedback, have the same philosophy about schools and dont get bogged down by leavers/ranking etc. My son is not overly academic (whatever that means at 9!) but really into sports and unique personality that I want embraced. Good to hear the school is well~rounded and balanced
. Many thanks for the post.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 01/10/2023 12:28

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They definitely had a 13+ entry option a few years ago as I have friends whose DS sat for that and a scholarship. They were offered a place but ultimately went elsewhere with a bigger scholarship.

It wasn't an occasional place situation either as there were a sizeable bunch at the scholarship test from what friend recounted.