William Ellis — what's it like?

[Pinkglobelamp]

I'm asking about all the schools on my list, really.

William Ellis sounds interesting because it seems parents say good things about it, yet it had the recent Ofsted downgrading.

How is it for behaviour, bullying, noise, etc.? Pastoral care?

Academically not so good?

I have a DS there.
Plus points:
Very warm friendly atmosphere
Kids generally seem supportive of each other
Great pastoral care
Most teachers seem to really care about the pupils (and really “get” them).
Individual teachers have always been very responsive.

Amazing location on the Heath (which they use a lot)
The school does a lot of work around toxic masculinity, everyday sexism etc.
I really like the new headmistress.

Minus points:
Academics not the strongest, though are improving. They are above average nationally and (I think) for Camden. But if academics is the most important, it’s probably not for you.
Think quiet kids in the middle can get a bit lost (but perhaps same in most comps). You just have to be alert to that I think.
School communication with parents (particularly with assessments, how kids doing academically etc) was poor. But they know that and are improving. We now get more regular feedback etc.

I am not sure behaviour wise. I think there could be some low level disruption in certain classes, but I know my DS feels safe there and he hasn’t observed any bullying. Fights are very rare (according to my DS). I thought the Ofsted report was unfair about the behaviour issue. They may have a point about the lack of assessments etc and that is being worked on. Parents generally seem happy and supportive of school. I don’t have regrets. Happy to answer more questions here or via PM.

Thank you, that's really helpful and it's great to hear positives. We met the head last year at a secondary school event and she seemed excellent. We're just concerned about disruptive behaviour/bullying etc. as yes, quiet son, good academically if he gets the encouragement, but not confident without it.

Sounds similar to my DS! I haven’t heard of any bullying, but then you often don’t, unless your child is involved. However school has always been very responsive with me in respect of any individual concerns I raised. The school tends to mix all the classes around. So my DS has his form, then four different classes for lessons, with different boys in each. I got impression that one of those classes was more disruptive than the others last year. But they have mixed them up again this year and I think it’s better now.

That's interesting, the mixing classes. How does that work wrt friendships etc.?
And are they streamed/in sets?

Because it is quite a small school, I think the idea is that they mix them up as much as possible so all the boys get to know each other. To widen friendship pool I suppose. They are set in maths and languages from Year 8 (with top sets studying an extra language).

I also really rate the headmistress - she’s great and very open and responsive. So when there are issues (as there will be in any school), the school seems to respond and intervene swiftly. The school is smaller than others and that means that the teachers really do know all the kids.

The parents association is v welcoming and active and building a stronger school community.

That sounds good. It's hard to tell these things without knowing parents or children there. Thank you!

One more question! Do they have many clubs? After school and lunchtime?

Some other schools we've looked at have really good after school provision and do Latin, Greek, pottery, whatever.

We're pretty much agreed about putting W.E. first choice now, though. Just last minute thoughts.

To be honest, one of my complaints has been that it is difficult to find out what clubs are available. The sports dept puts their clubs on the website as does music department but it is quite hard to find out about others. I know they do cooking, mandarin, coding, robotics but not sure what else. I am aware that until very recently they split lunch hour due to the whole Covid situation. It’s now the same lunch break and one of the reasons for that was so they could put on more clubs at lunch. But I still don’t know what they are!

Also to repeat comment from above. WESPA (the parent teacher association) is very welcoming and active. They arrange lots of activities and socials so you can try and meet other parents. Also each year has a what’s app group if you need info etc which is a god send at times.

Brilliant. Thank you! Think we'll go for it. Ideally we'd like somewhere really academic, but those are few and far between, and we liked the atmosphere at W.E. a lot.

My son lasted one 1/2 term there. My son couldnt cope with the bullish behaviour, in class teachers didnt have control or bad behaviour is overlooked. My ds described pushing,shoving, kicking, slapping, punching and threats. This behaviour extends to the bus stops and on the buses.
Implications made that it may be in my sons head, basically victim blaming instead of accepting they lack control over students and more discipline needs to be in place. Funny how these issues were raised in most recent ofsted.

I had 2 girls go through parliament hill and they always complained about the Ellis boys, my middle dd is at laswap and has witnessed terrible behaviour in the halls and outside at break ( pushing, shoving, playfighting)

Within a week my son has a place at a different school and is doing fine. Do not rate William Ellis at all.

Oh no. That sounds bad. I'm glad your son's finding his new school better.

It's too late for us, we've already got a place and put it first on the application. Our son's very shy, too.

Is your son is year 6 now? Mine just started Year 7, it all seemed good from the visits and such, but day to day is different, completely. Thought W.Ellis being smaller would be better as well. I was wrong and my big girls 21 & 16 said "we told you mum!!"

Yes, year 6. Am really worried now. I'm in the area often and never see bad behaviour on the buses, so thought it seemed ok.

It could be fine, and your son may get on ok. My son started complaining within 3 weeks, and by half term he was talking about moving. I was then debating whether or not we stick it out. But if my son isn't happy neither am I. Its an easy transfer before the end of term in Dec. Good luck!

Did you get a place nearby? (Understand if you don't want to name the school as it's outing!)

Glad that worked out at least. Maybe we can see how it goes and do the same. I won't keep my son somewhere he's unhappy, either.

Thank you for your input.

How did your son find the week away at the start of term?

He came home saying he would never go again. We camp 2x a year and have been going since he was born. My ds loved other PGL trips he had been on.
I was also thinking, maybe because he went to such a lovely primary, that he was living in a lil bubble.

Oh no, that's awful. My son's nervous about it as it is.
I'd only heard good things about William Ellis before. I wonder if this year's particularly bad.

Also, my son went in with no friends from primary, so that didn't help. My girls didn't either, but they managed. Each child is different. Just go in with an open mind, and talk to your son, that's all you can do. I've learned you will hear good and bad about all schools, just see how it goes.

I am really sorry that your son had a bad experience philly71. I wonder if it was a particularly bad year or disruptive form? What school did your son move to in the end? I’m glad he is happier.

However @Coconutdragon - just to reassure you, my son (a very very shy boy who knew no one else) had a very different experience and when we did have some issues (internal ones, not about school exactly) the school could not have been more receptive (emailing over weekends with suggestions and plans etc).

That is not to belittle @philly71 experience at all. As I mentioned above - one of my son’s class groups last year was apparently a bit disruptive. I can imagine if that had happened at the start of school, it would have been intimidating.

Oh and my son loves the camps at the mill. Looks forward to it all year!

It really sounds like there are so many factors involved, it's unpredictable. Having a rowdy class from the very start does sound really difficult. I'm glad your son's happier now, Philly!

We'll see how it goes...

Do make sure your son attends the summer school @Coconutdragon - it’s a good way to meet other boys before the start of term. Makes the start less intimidating!