Anyone got experience of St George's school Edgbaston (Birmingham)?

[Abacussss]

Hello. Wondered if anyone had experience.

We've got a teenager newly at the school. We'd heard how good it was for emphasising pastoral stuff over academic achievement (and went for this because our child is academically very able, but had had some other difficulties).

Although the small size has been good, and it's not been a total write-off so far, the attitude of senior staff (well, one woman in particular) to our child's difficulties has actually been really shocking. Punitive, and with very little effort to accommodate/understand. We don't know any other parents really (apart from one set who have liked the school). Anyone any experience??

TIA

I don't have any direct experience, though I vaguely know someone whose DS got a scholarship to St George's after a surprise fail in the 11 plus, and I know of someone else who is hoping her younger DS will go there.

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to your DC. It sounds as though these difficulties are with one particular teacher, so it might be best to speak to the SENCO or pastoral lead to see if something about your DC's needs can be clarified with this member of staff.

Thank you @LetItGoToRuin . You're right. Appreciate the reply :)

Just wanted to update this in case anyone looks up the school in future... they're actually being way more accommodating now, and the member of staff I mentioned has been very kind and understanding. So I'm quite hopeful for the school now, and very relieved. Just in case this is of use to anyone in the future...

Hi! That's good to hear. I've a son in the school - new this year, and no problems so far. Suits him well. I have heard some not great stuff about one teacher, but hard to know if it's just kids moaning about a relatively strict teacher with no good reason or if there is more too it.

The standard of education in the primary school is low for majority of students. Complaints are not handled properly and the staff often respond with rudeness and passive aggression when concerns are raised.

Oh dear was coming on here to ask about the school
foR my Autistic 10 year old for year 7

Hi. I ended up changing my mind about this school a bit. It may well be worth considering :)

Hi OP I used to teach there. I was a HoD about 6 years ago. When I was there the classes were small and all staff went above and beyond to help DC to succeed. They did take a fair few DC with neuro diversity and dyslexia that other independents would not accept that impacted on overall grades. They had a huge amount of choice for enrichment and Sixth Form was very good at running a wide range of courses. The Maths department was outstanding and took DC well below their target grades and added lots of value.

Thanks for the contributions I’ll head to the open day I think

Hi! My son is now in Y9 there, and we’re still happy with it. Classes are small, and teachers seem enthusiastic and committed. The comments from the former HoD above seem still to hold true today.

Much is made by the school of the community spirit, and I think that’s fair. It seems everyone knows everyone, and the teachers can really get to know all the pupils.

Enrichment and extra-curricular are excellent considering the size of the school. You can get a sense of what goes on with that from their Insta / FB posts. My son likes sport, and has competed for the school in a variety of sports (table tennis, tennis, football, basketball, dodgeball, cricket & athletics). He’s not amazing at it, but because of the small cohort, being willing and reasonably competent brings opportunities. There is other stuff for the non-sporty of course - it’s just that is of zero interest to him.

I don’t have any experience of the SEN provision though. But I would be surprised if issues were usually handled as badly as suggested. That wouldn’t fit with my general experience of the school, so I wouldn’t rule it out based on that one comment.

Thanks @FlossieFthats super helpful.