Marylebone Boys' — any experiences?

Pinkglobelamp · 2023-09-16T09:57:41+00:00

Just that, really. Looking at state secondary schools, boys or mixed, in central London (live in zone 1). I know nothing about Marylebone Boys, but it looks good from the results and website. Please could anyone with a child there give some views on the experience? How is it socially, academically, etc.? We're looking for the most nurturing environment for a very shy, quite anxious child, academically highly capable but needs encouragement.

4littlepuddings · 07/10/2023 00:17

Hi
We went to the Marylebone boys open morning this week, my son is in a lovely school that's a feeder school for our local secondary, my daughter is in her last year at the school and has done amazingly well there ,I'm not sure it's the right school for my son though, anyway we looked at Marylebone, It seems like a good school, the headteacher spoke so fondly of the school and pupils, my son is very shy, I like that the school is smaller than other secondary schools, but still not sure where to put as our first choice! Just want somewhere that's right for him where he'll flourish !!🩵

Original poster

Pinkglobelamp · 09/10/2023 19:12

4littlepuddings · 07/10/2023 00:17

Hi
We went to the Marylebone boys open morning this week, my son is in a lovely school that's a feeder school for our local secondary, my daughter is in her last year at the school and has done amazingly well there ,I'm not sure it's the right school for my son though, anyway we looked at Marylebone, It seems like a good school, the headteacher spoke so fondly of the school and pupils, my son is very shy, I like that the school is smaller than other secondary schools, but still not sure where to put as our first choice! Just want somewhere that's right for him where he'll flourish !!🩵

Sounds good. I like the idea of a smaller school, too.

OP posts:

roses2 · 10/10/2023 11:26

We went to the open evening 2 weeks ago.

It definitely felt like family. There was a lot of love between the boys with each other and the relationships with the teachers. The area felt super safe and I have no worries about fighting after school etc. Equipment felt new and modern. They have a wellbeing check on the boys every single morning - it was a very nurturing environment.

But two major points why I discounted it: I did not feel they push the more able kids enough academically. They don't go into sets until Year 9. Also there is no outside space. They are inside from the time they enter to the time they leave including breaktime except for the sports where they go by coach to Regents Park 1-2 times per week.

They are quite under subscribed. So even if you don't put it as first choice and get accepted somewhere else, you can always call them if you change your mind and 99% chance you will get a place.

Original poster

Pinkglobelamp · 13/10/2023 13:29

roses2 · 10/10/2023 11:26

We went to the open evening 2 weeks ago.

It definitely felt like family. There was a lot of love between the boys with each other and the relationships with the teachers. The area felt super safe and I have no worries about fighting after school etc. Equipment felt new and modern. They have a wellbeing check on the boys every single morning - it was a very nurturing environment.

But two major points why I discounted it: I did not feel they push the more able kids enough academically. They don't go into sets until Year 9. Also there is no outside space. They are inside from the time they enter to the time they leave including breaktime except for the sports where they go by coach to Regents Park 1-2 times per week.

They are quite under subscribed. So even if you don't put it as first choice and get accepted somewhere else, you can always call them if you change your mind and 99% chance you will get a place.

Edited

That's interesting. We visited too and liked it. I felt the lack of outside space was an issue, made it feel like being in an office block all day, but on the other hand the teachers said it makes it easier to monitor and prevent bullying in breaks, which is a plus point for us as we have a shy child too.

I feel the same about the pushing academically, but that's balanced by the fact that they do teach Latin and classics (a priority for me) and seem to be strong in maths (a priority for my son).

OP posts:

Original poster

Pinkglobelamp · 13/10/2023 13:30

roses2 · 10/10/2023 11:26

We went to the open evening 2 weeks ago.

It definitely felt like family. There was a lot of love between the boys with each other and the relationships with the teachers. The area felt super safe and I have no worries about fighting after school etc. Equipment felt new and modern. They have a wellbeing check on the boys every single morning - it was a very nurturing environment.

But two major points why I discounted it: I did not feel they push the more able kids enough academically. They don't go into sets until Year 9. Also there is no outside space. They are inside from the time they enter to the time they leave including breaktime except for the sports where they go by coach to Regents Park 1-2 times per week.

They are quite under subscribed. So even if you don't put it as first choice and get accepted somewhere else, you can always call them if you change your mind and 99% chance you will get a place.

Edited

Can you really do that (call the school if you want a place)? I thought it was all allocated by the council?

OP posts:

roses2 · 13/10/2023 14:14

Can you really do that (call the school if you want a place)? I thought it was all allocated by the council?

At some stage the admissions gets passed from the council to the school. Either way if they have open places (which they have had year on year since opening and judging by the turnout on the open evening I suspect they will again this year) then you will get in.

sleepwhenidie · 22/04/2024 15:29

Re-school/council - outside of a main intake eg y7, the school would process the application, though you would have to fill in the application via the council. Ie-ask the school directly about places. They may give an indication about capacity/waiting lists but would also point you to applying via council website. Then once school receives that from the council, the school contacts you and manages from there.