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Secondary education

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Original poster

KES Vs Embley

11 replies

Winchestermumofboy · 06/07/2024 01:20

Help! seeking some honest advice from fellow parents out there. I have a son who is 10 YO He is dyslexic but very capable and has great termination. He’s currently at Embley and doing well at prep but at times is “bored” he’s scoring As and Bs in all exams.

We are looking at secondary school options and KES is on our radar - he’d like to sit the exam and we’d support that - if he gets in should we send him there?

Embley is very nice but we’re not sure the results are there…. KES and Embley are almost like for like in terms of cost.

OP posts:
diamondmirrors · 06/07/2024 01:43

Embley likes to pretend it's a mini Canford but everyone knows that you go to Embley if you haven't got into KES, or any of the grammars. Anyone who argues otherwise are highly likely to be Embley parents saying the chose it over KES or the grammars, but in almost all cases it's not true.

Many of the students at the end of year nine are already vaping and drinking alcohol when at home, with parents allowing their little princes and princesses to do this.

If you have a non academic child, or a child with SEN specific needs to go to a private school, due to having smaller class sizes than state schools, then fair enough, send to Embley secondary.

If you have an academic child, don't send to Embley because of the risk the child will check out of classes due to boredom and dumbing down of curriculum. Send to KES: if your child is as academic as you state, they will get in. But it's a sausage factory....they take in the top students and churn them out a few years later with predictably good results.

TeenDivided · 06/07/2024 07:46

Stupid question alert: have you looked round Kings, Westgate, and HenryB?

Nearly everyone ends up at PS anyway!

Original poster
Winchestermumofboy · 06/07/2024 09:06

Hi not stupid at all / totally agree. We are not in catchment for WG or Kings / we got into HB but I’m looking for the smaller classes due to my sons dyslexia and they are very good at HB but the classes are bigger.

OP posts:
Original poster
Winchestermumofboy · 06/07/2024 09:08

diamondmirrors · 06/07/2024 01:43

Embley likes to pretend it's a mini Canford but everyone knows that you go to Embley if you haven't got into KES, or any of the grammars. Anyone who argues otherwise are highly likely to be Embley parents saying the chose it over KES or the grammars, but in almost all cases it's not true.

Many of the students at the end of year nine are already vaping and drinking alcohol when at home, with parents allowing their little princes and princesses to do this.

If you have a non academic child, or a child with SEN specific needs to go to a private school, due to having smaller class sizes than state schools, then fair enough, send to Embley secondary.

If you have an academic child, don't send to Embley because of the risk the child will check out of classes due to boredom and dumbing down of curriculum. Send to KES: if your child is as academic as you state, they will get in. But it's a sausage factory....they take in the top students and churn them out a few years later with predictably good results.

Thank you. You’re 100% right…. My sisters daughter got into KES last year but she chose to keep her at Embley as she’s also dyslexic and is doing well.

OP posts:
jennylamb1 · 06/07/2024 10:03

Has anyone got thoughts on The Gregg?

jennylamb1 · 22/07/2024 18:30

Has anyone got thoughts on The Gregg?
Just wondering if anyone had, in comparison to other options

Original poster
Winchestermumofboy · 23/07/2024 22:43

I’ve heard good things re The Gregg but i’m not a parent at the school but have a friend who sends her 2 children there. they’re both very happy and cared for well as they have additional needs around education.

OP posts:
damnedifyoudodammedifyoudont · 05/08/2024 15:51

diamondmirrors · 06/07/2024 01:43

Embley likes to pretend it's a mini Canford but everyone knows that you go to Embley if you haven't got into KES, or any of the grammars. Anyone who argues otherwise are highly likely to be Embley parents saying the chose it over KES or the grammars, but in almost all cases it's not true.

Many of the students at the end of year nine are already vaping and drinking alcohol when at home, with parents allowing their little princes and princesses to do this.

If you have a non academic child, or a child with SEN specific needs to go to a private school, due to having smaller class sizes than state schools, then fair enough, send to Embley secondary.

If you have an academic child, don't send to Embley because of the risk the child will check out of classes due to boredom and dumbing down of curriculum. Send to KES: if your child is as academic as you state, they will get in. But it's a sausage factory....they take in the top students and churn them out a few years later with predictably good results.

Do you have recent experience of the school? I'm interested in understanding, as I have heard differently from some current parents. We have an offer for September.
I think the school has changed in the last couple of years.
I know of families that have not received offers, and some year groups are currently full.
My child would have gotten into KES, and everyone in her prep class who took the exam did, but I would choose Embley for balance and well-being. Education is not only about a list of 9s on your CV.

JanePK · 14/08/2024 20:32

I think many parents have the same dilemma. We chose Embley for year 9 three years ago and have been very pleased. It is an excellent school with a focus on being authentic and being the best you can possibly be. KES cream off the top percentage of applicants based on English and maths ability, so of course their results are better. But as a previous poster said it’s a conveyor belt with minimal pastoral care and a very academic focus, to the detriment of mental health and extracurricular activities. It’s a very pressured environment. The teachers at Embley are excellent and really care about students. There is a fantastic range of sports and opportunities for all, not just the most able. Discipline and pastoral care are well managed with consequences for bad behaviour clearly outlined to parents and children. For the poster who mentioned alcohol use and vaping, this happens in every school. KES has had significant problems with drugs and Canford with drugs, alcohol use and inappropriate sexual activity. Embley is a great school, and is worth trusting your gut and not the unfounded opinions of some parents.

JanePK · 14/08/2024 21:14

diamondmirrors · 06/07/2024 01:43

Embley likes to pretend it's a mini Canford but everyone knows that you go to Embley if you haven't got into KES, or any of the grammars. Anyone who argues otherwise are highly likely to be Embley parents saying the chose it over KES or the grammars, but in almost all cases it's not true.

Many of the students at the end of year nine are already vaping and drinking alcohol when at home, with parents allowing their little princes and princesses to do this.

If you have a non academic child, or a child with SEN specific needs to go to a private school, due to having smaller class sizes than state schools, then fair enough, send to Embley secondary.

If you have an academic child, don't send to Embley because of the risk the child will check out of classes due to boredom and dumbing down of curriculum. Send to KES: if your child is as academic as you state, they will get in. But it's a sausage factory....they take in the top students and churn them out a few years later with predictably good results.

I think your message is inaccurate and has quite an unnecessarily nasty tone. Both my children got into KES and one got into Canford. We chose Embley because we found it to be more authentic, less entitled and also so that the children would continue to live at home with people who loved them rather than anonymous housemasters in boarding houses. Academic children thrive at Embley, as do the less able. Every school has problems with alcohol, vaping and drugs. The difference I’ve noted at Embley is that children are supported to deal with their issues but if they don’t comply they are asked to leave. KES does not have such robust procedures. Kids have joined from KES, Godolphin, Bedales, Bryanston and the Gregg in the past year.

Norak123 · 17/02/2025 22:44

I am thinking of sending my daughter to KES next year for year 7. She is average in terms of ability. She really likes the school. Is the entrance exam difficult? Would you need a tutor? How long in advance? Or could you get a good enough score with little preparation? Thank you

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