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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

The Brit school/ Croydon

25 replies

Orquid · 06/10/2023 15:51

Has anyone got experience with this school? We are considering for our daughter. She is in year 8 and we think a more technical, practical and creative school will suit her better that just academics.

Would be grateful for any advice.

OP posts:
Cassieno · 06/10/2023 16:01

You have to take her to the open evening and she has to choose.

I originally considered it for my older DD. She didn’t settle into secondary at all well. However by year 9 she was flying and is now a vet - probably the Brit School would have closed off academic options too early.

My younger DD applied and was offered a place for art. She decided to stay at her comp in the end and is now doing an arts related MA.

In my opinion they select on behaviour and ability to work with others as much as talent.

I would think very carefully as it closes off a lot of options.

Original poster
Orquid · 07/10/2023 15:36

Thank you; that’s very helpful. We have booked to go to the open day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orquid · 07/10/2023 15:37

Good point reg limiting their options

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 07/10/2023 16:54

We stuck with main stream till the end of year 11 and then a Btech/OCR extended diploma for sixth form. DD had three offers from different sixth form colleges.
This kept her options open for her.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 07/10/2023 19:53

I know a lot of kids who go here... my take is that it is one to consider at 16+ rather than 14+ especially if the child is at all academic.

You can easily replicate the vocational offer on the music/drama/MT side of things elsewhere in London without having to sacrifice a broad range of GCSE options.

Child I know there last year was a bit unhappy that there was so much focus on academics in Y11 that there was next to no vocational side, as the school want to ensure that their results look decent.

Parents with academic kids with extra talents are not going to choose the school if they don't have decent grades at GCSE. Hence far more pressure on that front than you would find in other schools.

Much depends on the particular strand, the child and what the current school offers.

There is also much to be said for being a bigger fish in a smaller pond during these years when confidence can be so easily dented. I have seen a fair few children who have found it very tough being in a school where all their peers are chasing the same dream, especially if they are not then 'the best' (either in their own minds or in reality). But that comes down to the individual and their personality.

Norgirl71 · 06/11/2023 18:13

I disagree that it shuts down your options especially if your child goes in Year 10 as they'll do normal GCSEs as well as their strand studies. If after that they decide it's not for them they can go to a normal sixth-form. It's a great school - go to the open day and listen to the head teacher's speech, then you can make up your mind.

Imisstuttifrutti · 06/11/2023 18:24

I know someone who went at 6th form and loved it (having had a tough time at a comp where she knew no one else arty).

No idea about younger years I’m afraid.

carrotcakeagain · 06/11/2023 18:42

My daughter started in year 10. She absolutely loves being at the BRIT School. The kids all need to be motivated to get in to such a selective school so I assume they are a hard working ambitious bunch. She's still doing GCSEs plus her strand but there were more arts subjects to choose from.

sweetsoul40 · 06/11/2023 18:49

My daughter attends the Brit Saturday school which gives her a taster of what it would be like to attend. We too are possibly thinking of applying for her for year 10 entry. She really enjoys it, I attended the open evening a few weeks ago- the principal did do a lot of celebrity name dropping but overall it was an informative presentation.

Norgirl71 · 07/11/2023 15:02

Sorry, open day and the principal's talk has been and gone. Loads of informative strand talks on the website though - under courses. Still time to view and decide before the deadline.

Original poster
Orquid · 09/11/2023 22:16

Thank you. We went to the open day and liked it. I think it is a good option for DD as she is more arty and creative than academic. They do GCSEs but have more creative subjects which is good.

There is no guarantees she will get in but worth a try.

We also applied for different courses on Saturday but have not got a place yet. Does anyone know how this works?

OP posts:
Norgirl71 · 10/11/2023 17:37

There's a waiting list for Britkids on Saturdays but it does go down and you don't have to audition or anything else. The classes are very useful if you're planning to apply for a place at the school.

downtonupton · 12/11/2023 17:06

DS is current Y12 and also did Y10 & Y11 there.

The academic side is good and there were good GCSE results in the regular subjects along side the strand ones - the kids forego PE and RE to make the space for the strand subjects.

It is a great school in many ways but DS has struggled with friendships as it can be a little cliquey and the kids with big houses connections in the industry etc all stick together.

DS is happy though and it suits him

Original poster
Orquid · 13/11/2023 08:28

downtonupton · 12/11/2023 17:06

DS is current Y12 and also did Y10 & Y11 there.

The academic side is good and there were good GCSE results in the regular subjects along side the strand ones - the kids forego PE and RE to make the space for the strand subjects.

It is a great school in many ways but DS has struggled with friendships as it can be a little cliquey and the kids with big houses connections in the industry etc all stick together.

DS is happy though and it suits him

This worries me a bit as DD has friends and is ok at her current school but I feel a more creative environment will be better for her.

The other thing that put me off a bit is that they have to apply again for year 12.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orquid · 13/11/2023 08:36

Another thing I think DD would like is being able yo wear clothes; perhaps not do much for me and I believe teaching finishes early on Fridays. I think Brit School would suit her.

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downtonupton · 13/11/2023 10:11

Don't get me wrong. DS was happy in his old school, he had a good group of friends - but he would still rather be at Brit - it's just not the big happy family many make out.

He has made some friends and isn't miserable, he just hasn't been welcomed by the wealthier, connections in the industry type students who all seem to stick together. Another parent pointed it out to me 'The money sticks with the money'.

The school can't really be blamed for that.

The no uniform thing is great. But some courses have to wear black in 6th form

They finish at 1 on Friday but have long days on mon, tues & thurs.

While they make a big deal about re-auditioning for 6th form I think most of them got back in. You'd know if your child was unlikely to as they talk to you about it. Some left and are professional now, some went to other places closer to home etc but very few fail their audition. One kid in DS class failed his audition as he was ill and wasn't very good but he got in on appeal.

Original poster
Orquid · 13/11/2023 22:01

downtonupton · 13/11/2023 10:11

Don't get me wrong. DS was happy in his old school, he had a good group of friends - but he would still rather be at Brit - it's just not the big happy family many make out.

He has made some friends and isn't miserable, he just hasn't been welcomed by the wealthier, connections in the industry type students who all seem to stick together. Another parent pointed it out to me 'The money sticks with the money'.

The school can't really be blamed for that.

The no uniform thing is great. But some courses have to wear black in 6th form

They finish at 1 on Friday but have long days on mon, tues & thurs.

While they make a big deal about re-auditioning for 6th form I think most of them got back in. You'd know if your child was unlikely to as they talk to you about it. Some left and are professional now, some went to other places closer to home etc but very few fail their audition. One kid in DS class failed his audition as he was ill and wasn't very good but he got in on appeal.

That you. I think I know what you mean now; It can be a tricky environment; but as long as there are other people who are down to earth and they can make friends with that’s probably good enough

I chased the Saturday school and got a place for DD in January; will see how that goes. I am still in 2 minds on whether to apply for year 10 or 12 but we have a year to decide.

How long is the school day on the other days?

OP posts:
downtonupton · 13/11/2023 22:09

it was
8.45 - 4.15 Mon, Tues & Thurs
8.45 - 2.50 on Wednesday
8.45 - 1.15 on Friday

Original poster
Orquid · 14/11/2023 18:47

downtonupton · 13/11/2023 22:09

it was
8.45 - 4.15 Mon, Tues & Thurs
8.45 - 2.50 on Wednesday
8.45 - 1.15 on Friday

Thank you

OP posts:
eedie135 · 18/01/2024 18:07

Has anyone applied for musical theatre at Brit school for year 12 2024 September entry? Just wondering if anyone has heard if they've got a place or not yet? We applied out of area so don't know if that makes a difference re when we'll hear

Anett124 · 21/01/2024 20:23

Hi, My daughter is invited for the audition at The Brits. Her strand is Theatre. She was advised by a few people that they expect each of the candidate to prepare one of Sheakspeare's piece for their monologue. Can anyone confirm that from their experience?

downtonupton · 22/01/2024 10:41

Anett124 · 21/01/2024 20:23

Hi, My daughter is invited for the audition at The Brits. Her strand is Theatre. She was advised by a few people that they expect each of the candidate to prepare one of Sheakspeare's piece for their monologue. Can anyone confirm that from their experience?

Edited

When DS auditioned they advised two pieces that showed range. Nothing too similar (we believe that was his friend's downfalll - both her pieces were very similar). One came from the recommended texts they sent and one was from a Connexions play he'd done in a youth theatre group.

We were advised to select something age appropriate - where the character was the same age as the applicant.

DS did one humorous one - playing an exaggerated character.. And one moving more thoughtful one about a boy being abandoned by a parent.

Anett124 · 10/02/2024 23:17

thanks for reply, was DS successful? We have got audition on the 19th Feb. She has chosen 1 monologue from the school's list. Its Chloe from Bitch Boxer and the other one is Megan from Broken Biscuits. They both teenager's characters and rather different personalities so that is good. We will see how it goes :)

downtonupton · 11/02/2024 23:41

Anett124 · 10/02/2024 23:17

thanks for reply, was DS successful? We have got audition on the 19th Feb. She has chosen 1 monologue from the school's list. Its Chloe from Bitch Boxer and the other one is Megan from Broken Biscuits. They both teenager's characters and rather different personalities so that is good. We will see how it goes :)

Hi,

Good luck to your DD

DS was successful - he's in Year 12 at the moment and loving it.

Skysti · 18/02/2024 11:01

My DS has applied for The Brits IDD Y10 course & has been invited for an interview. He is really anxious about the whole interview & workshop process & I wanted to enquire if anyone had any advice on what to expect.

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