Tiffin School open evening

[12345change]

Went to this yesterday - wondering what people think of the school. Aware of it's reputation for academic excellence - but the buildings and grounds seemed a bit tired and scruffy. Would be interested in others view on this school.

If your child goes there you will be regularly asked for donations to help with various projects to improve the facilities. The modern blocks have been built on the back of this.

It's a very old state school. If you want something newer, you'll obviously need to go private or choose a younger school. Tiffin Girls is more modern, but only because it burned down a few years ago and had to be rebuilt.

I think that it is embarassing that the teachers' provision was not marked by OFSTED as Outstanding as the boys that attend this school are. Average provision to supersmart boys. They deserve better.
The fact that grammars are getting less money per pupil than other state schools is also sad.

@TheShorestAnswerIsDoing , but the management of Tiffin boys - SLT and governing board - hadn't adapted the curriculum to meet the new framework that Ofsted inspects using which is why it was rated good. It's nothing to do with the ability range of the students and why all parents should view an ofsted rating with caution.

@paleontologi yes I got that impression they would be asking for money. Thanks for confirming this.

@TheShorestAnswerIsDoing I think the Ofsted inspection is a fair reflection from what I can see... they appear to be coasting a bit and relying on the reputation of academic excellence. Lots of excuses of why they didn't get outstanding from where I'm sitting. I did like the new head teacher and his focus on happy pupils. But building and grounds massive disappointment other state schools in Kingston like TKA outshine Tiffin and the progress 8 is score is much better.

Also Sutton Grammar was downgraded to Good.
Probably there are quite a few state schools with better provision in Richmond and Kingston

@TheShorestAnswerIsDoing that is interesting about Sutton Grammar. Yes you are probably right - lots of state secondary schools in Kingston and Richmond are doing very well and you could argue are better - especially when you look at the progress 8 scores.

Tired & scruffy doesn't bother me. The quality of teaching does

Yes quite.. but I would question the quality of the teaching given how smart these boys are when they enter the school.. I would guess they would do just as well anywhere. Hence, why the progress 8 is a bit rubbish at 0.47 compared to local authority for state schools which is 0.5!!

I don't think it's unusual for a selective school to have lower progress scores.

The cohorts are already very smart so there is less room for progression.

@henrypenry maybe not but it does make me question the quality of teaching - are they relying on the smart boys to do it themselves are they really being stretched and challenged etc. Also all quality of resources does matter - which means update to date buildings and smartboards..I saw lots of old classrooms and technology when looking round yesterday. I have come away feeling very underwhelmed.

I also wouldn't chose a school on an Ofsted report alone. But it's your choice & your opinion that matters.

@henrypenry I also would not chose a school based just on Ofsted. But I am left wondering how many people would really choose Tiffin if it wasn't for the status and prestige of having a child there - rather than whether it is the right for their child.

I think you can say that about dozens of schools particularly private ones.

A lot of people choose a school for the other pupils that attend (or to avoid some). Hence the large private provision in wealthy South West London. Tiffin's entrance exams are a filter.

" I am left wondering how many people would really choose Tiffin if it wasn't for the status and prestige of having a child there"

What makes Tiffin boys prestige? It is fully academic selective school but the GCSE results in the past 10 years are not as good as a lot of other grammar and private schools in London? Either the catchment and other Schools nearby filter out some students during intake or the school itself is not adding value?

@PreplexJ good questions.. I am not sure whether the school adds value. They claimed they did during the open event yesterday but gave no actual evidence of this.

@PreplexJ I guess it's the prestige of getting into a super selective school when the vast majority don't get a higher enough score?

As a PP said, grammar schools act as a social filter as parents seek a "better" peer group for their DC. You have to be very focused on education and usually wealthy enough to afford a tutor to get in.

We know the difficulty of getting into the school for 11+ can be a good predictor of the public exam league table of the School in 5 years time - However based on Tiffin school results it seems that the school has less correlation to competitiveness to get in compared to other grammar/private school in London.

The difficulty of getting into school does not equates to the quality of education. At best it probably can be perceived as a downside limiting filter.

@PreplexJ I would agree - which is why I question whether they add value at all. Definitely has made me seriously consider whether this is the right school for my child.

Ok. Basing on what criteria would you select school?
Internet is full of comments about poor pastoral care in both Tiffins and mental health not addressed

@PreplexJ

The difficulty of getting into school does not equates to the quality of education. At best it probably can be perceived as a downside limiting filter.

You are absolutely right here.

Tiffin School is planning to reinstate their fame and they have allocated the budget for the effective marketing
https://www.totaljobs.com/job/marketing-communications-manager/tiffin-boys-school-job100471918

🙃