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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Ibstock Place School

16 replies

sunshineonarainyday5 · 23/02/2024 13:34

Hello all, we have been offered a place for Year 7 and would like to hear views and experiences from current and recent parents. We really like the location, the facilities and their focus on sports and pastoral care. Teachers seem to be a mix of very old school and younger, more engaged types. Please feel free to private message. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
sunshineonarainyday5 · 23/02/2024 19:33

Or post on here of course!

OP posts:
brillodeluna · 25/02/2024 19:50

??

Swlonmum · 06/03/2024 23:00

One thing worth checking on any secondary school (which I wish I had!) is “what do the kids do during lunch and are they allowed in the building?” At Ibstock they lock the school doors at lunch and the kids aren’t allowed to go inside, even in the middle of winter. They’ve made lunches longer now to accommodate more clubs but if your child isn’t in a club every day they have to stay outside the whole time. They can only use one door to access the loos and get shouted at if they are in the building. They don’t let them in before 5 mins until class starts which isn’t a lot of time to go to their lockers etc. Wish I had knew this before and asked the question at an open day. I heard the reason they don’t allow them in the building anymore is because of damage caused by pupils, but it’s not right to make all the pupils suffer for some kids bad behaviour. The teachers can get quite shouty at lunch trying to police the building. Not an ideal culture sadly.

Also Ibstock have a gorgeous refectory, but it’s not big enough to accommodate all the pupils, the prep school eat 12-1pm and secondary 1-2pm and they split seatings in two. So if your child has second lunch they don’t eat until 1:30pm which is 5 hours after their first lesson at 8:30am and often they’ve run out some food by then so no choices. The Tuck queue is so long at break too, my child has given up trying and is starving by lunch.

Again, wish I had asked more practical questions like these at the open days and not been taken in by the beautiful grounds and building and glossy brochure at IPS.

My advice would be to make sure you ask lots of questions about day to day logistics when choosing a school, especially around lunch and break and what the kids are allowed to do, don’t assume anything!

Ilikelists · 07/03/2024 15:31

Swlonmum · 06/03/2024 23:00

One thing worth checking on any secondary school (which I wish I had!) is “what do the kids do during lunch and are they allowed in the building?” At Ibstock they lock the school doors at lunch and the kids aren’t allowed to go inside, even in the middle of winter. They’ve made lunches longer now to accommodate more clubs but if your child isn’t in a club every day they have to stay outside the whole time. They can only use one door to access the loos and get shouted at if they are in the building. They don’t let them in before 5 mins until class starts which isn’t a lot of time to go to their lockers etc. Wish I had knew this before and asked the question at an open day. I heard the reason they don’t allow them in the building anymore is because of damage caused by pupils, but it’s not right to make all the pupils suffer for some kids bad behaviour. The teachers can get quite shouty at lunch trying to police the building. Not an ideal culture sadly.

Also Ibstock have a gorgeous refectory, but it’s not big enough to accommodate all the pupils, the prep school eat 12-1pm and secondary 1-2pm and they split seatings in two. So if your child has second lunch they don’t eat until 1:30pm which is 5 hours after their first lesson at 8:30am and often they’ve run out some food by then so no choices. The Tuck queue is so long at break too, my child has given up trying and is starving by lunch.

Again, wish I had asked more practical questions like these at the open days and not been taken in by the beautiful grounds and building and glossy brochure at IPS.

My advice would be to make sure you ask lots of questions about day to day logistics when choosing a school, especially around lunch and break and what the kids are allowed to do, don’t assume anything!

These are very good points, but I think it is common at secondary school to either offer clubs or outside time after lunch. At my daughter’s secondary you cannot hang out in classrooms/indoors but you can go to the library. I think this primarily for safeguarding reasons.

ForLovingDuck · 29/01/2025 19:25

Our son recently started at the school and absolutely loves it. The structured approach to learning ensures that tasks are clearly defined and thoroughly checked, allowing students to understand expectations and stay on track with confidence.

He has felt very welcomed and integrated, and the student body seems to have a broad range of interests. The school doesn’t appear to be dominated by sports, making it a great fit for curious, creative, and slightly unconventional children. While the school encourages academic achievement, it also supports students who are motivated by more than just competition and results.

The selection of clubs is outstanding—not just the traditional ones, but also unique options like Dismantling, Design & Technology, and Dungeons & Dragons. The staff are incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated, and we couldn’t be happier to see our son thriving.

If there’s one thing I wish the school did more of, it would be organising additional activities in Richmond Park. I heard about a cross-country race, which sounded fantastic, but given the school’s stunning setting, a few more outdoor events like this would be a wonderful addition.

abcdefghil · 30/01/2025 09:23

ForLovingDuck · 29/01/2025 19:25

Our son recently started at the school and absolutely loves it. The structured approach to learning ensures that tasks are clearly defined and thoroughly checked, allowing students to understand expectations and stay on track with confidence.

He has felt very welcomed and integrated, and the student body seems to have a broad range of interests. The school doesn’t appear to be dominated by sports, making it a great fit for curious, creative, and slightly unconventional children. While the school encourages academic achievement, it also supports students who are motivated by more than just competition and results.

The selection of clubs is outstanding—not just the traditional ones, but also unique options like Dismantling, Design & Technology, and Dungeons & Dragons. The staff are incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated, and we couldn’t be happier to see our son thriving.

If there’s one thing I wish the school did more of, it would be organising additional activities in Richmond Park. I heard about a cross-country race, which sounded fantastic, but given the school’s stunning setting, a few more outdoor events like this would be a wonderful addition.

I totally agree with this. I'm impressed with the school having also my son started in September as a new joiner. I was worried about the change but I'm not anymore. I trust them in every aspect.

MonGrainDeSel · 30/01/2025 10:24

Welcome, new posters!

AnotherNewt · 30/01/2025 10:33

D&T and D&D clubs are far from unique!

The setting (on edge of Richmond Park) is a double-edged sword. It means a pretty difficult school run (few routes are really convenient) and of course as it's a wide open public space, event marshalling would be needed - though a cross country club made up of good runners who would be able to stick in one group might be possible.

Albertine130 · 22/02/2025 14:15

sunshineonarainyday5 · 23/02/2024 13:34

Hello all, we have been offered a place for Year 7 and would like to hear views and experiences from current and recent parents. We really like the location, the facilities and their focus on sports and pastoral care. Teachers seem to be a mix of very old school and younger, more engaged types. Please feel free to private message. Thanks.

How's your decision making going? We also have an offer from IPS. Also considering Emanuel. Looking for feedback on here like you - gosh it's tough

BouliDK · 22/02/2025 19:59

We have just accepted an offer at Ibstock Place School. I’ve spoken to 3 moms whose boys are at IPS and they seem very happy, especially with the choice of clubs. One mom said her son is thriving. Emanuel is also a great option I’m sure. It’s very popular which is why we didn’t apply. Logistically does any school work better for your child?

Albertine130 · 22/02/2025 21:28

BouliDK · 22/02/2025 19:59

We have just accepted an offer at Ibstock Place School. I’ve spoken to 3 moms whose boys are at IPS and they seem very happy, especially with the choice of clubs. One mom said her son is thriving. Emanuel is also a great option I’m sure. It’s very popular which is why we didn’t apply. Logistically does any school work better for your child?

@BouliDK congratulations on making your decision. Where else were you considering? Re logistics - yes Emanuel is easier for us and that has to be a significant consideration..

BouliDK · 22/02/2025 22:07

We wanted either Ibstock or Harrodian. We did not get an offer to Harrodian so it was an easy decision for us! If Emanuel is closer I would go with that, I don’t have any experience with it but it’s such a popular school.

Albertine130 · 22/02/2025 22:15

That's the way we're leaning i think. I also noticed that Ibstock isn't including lunch in its fees now and I'm pretty sure it did when we first looked at it...

Albertine130 · 22/02/2025 22:17

Sorry you didn't get an offer from Harrodian - it's such a harsh process. Hope your dc wasn't too disappointed

Nottoolongtogo · 26/02/2025 22:03

Albertine130 · 22/02/2025 22:15

That's the way we're leaning i think. I also noticed that Ibstock isn't including lunch in its fees now and I'm pretty sure it did when we first looked at it...

I don't know about Ibstock specifically, but could this be because lunch might be exempt from VAT if charged separately?

Albertine130 · 28/02/2025 12:11

It could be because lunch is vat exempt, but I don't think the fees reduced to reflect this!

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