Fulham Boys School

Sanac · 2024-08-29T15:57:44+00:00

Dear all, Just wonder if there are any parents whom kids is going to Fulham Boys School @ London, or anyone who knows about the school? We are not living around that area and my son has been given an in-year offer with ths school today to start next week! Therefore would be keen to find out more about the school. Thank you in advance for any advice!

OsmiumPhazer · 29/08/2024 19:39

Fulham Boys School is relatively small compared to other local schools, which helps create a close-knit community. The student body includes a mix of families from different financial backgrounds—some very affluent and others on low incomes. The school does expect some parental contribution, but it’s very much a “give what you can afford” approach.
The school is known for its competitive sports teams, especially in football, rugby, and cricket, with teams in each year group and often compete against some of the elite private and selective church/state schools in London. The school also offers rowing starting in Year 9, that said, they also cater to boys who aren't as sporty, so there’s something for everyone.
The student body is quite diverse, with Christians, Muslims, boys of other faiths, and those with no religious affiliation. While the school has a strong Christian ethos, it's not something that’s heavily pushed onto the students.
I've found the senior leadership team to be very supportive, and the teaching staff are approachable and easy to talk to. The school isn’t “perfect,” but you get back what you put in. Parental involvement, including volunteering, is strongly encouraged and can make a big difference.
I hope this helps!

roses2 · 30/08/2024 19:01

I have also heard good things about this school from the local Facebook page as I’m not far away. Any chance you can visit on a school day before accepting?

Original poster

Sanac · 31/08/2024 07:39

OsmiumPhazer · 29/08/2024 19:39

Fulham Boys School is relatively small compared to other local schools, which helps create a close-knit community. The student body includes a mix of families from different financial backgrounds—some very affluent and others on low incomes. The school does expect some parental contribution, but it’s very much a “give what you can afford” approach.
The school is known for its competitive sports teams, especially in football, rugby, and cricket, with teams in each year group and often compete against some of the elite private and selective church/state schools in London. The school also offers rowing starting in Year 9, that said, they also cater to boys who aren't as sporty, so there’s something for everyone.
The student body is quite diverse, with Christians, Muslims, boys of other faiths, and those with no religious affiliation. While the school has a strong Christian ethos, it's not something that’s heavily pushed onto the students.
I've found the senior leadership team to be very supportive, and the teaching staff are approachable and easy to talk to. The school isn’t “perfect,” but you get back what you put in. Parental involvement, including volunteering, is strongly encouraged and can make a big difference.
I hope this helps!

Thank you @OsmiumPhazer - this is very helpful.
We managed to arrange a school visit and talked to the headmaster, it appeared to align well with what you mentioned!

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Original poster

Sanac · 31/08/2024 07:40

roses2 · 30/08/2024 19:01

I have also heard good things about this school from the local Facebook page as I’m not far away. Any chance you can visit on a school day before accepting?

Thank you @roses2 for the local insight!
We managed to arrange for a school tour and talked to the headmaster, all seem to be very promising

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friskybivalves · 31/08/2024 08:24

We have friends with a DS there who loves it. Really engaged teachers, fantastic lunches (no packed lunches allowed - everyone has to eat the school food so there is choice for veggies, religious variation etc). They are strict on discipline. Really strict. But also very focused on getting the best out of every boy and inspiring them.

Hels20 · 31/08/2024 14:14

If your child has any diagnosed or potential diagnosed SEN don’t send them there. It is a very strict school - lots of local boys go there and most like it. But detentions are given out for v minor infractions, and exclusions too. Also days are v long. But if your son is academic and well behaved and doesn’t mind working hard, it’s a great school! (We didn’t send our son there because we felt the wrought iron discipline wouldn’t suit him and he would be broken.)

Original poster

Sanac · 31/08/2024 15:35

friskybivalves · 31/08/2024 08:24

We have friends with a DS there who loves it. Really engaged teachers, fantastic lunches (no packed lunches allowed - everyone has to eat the school food so there is choice for veggies, religious variation etc). They are strict on discipline. Really strict. But also very focused on getting the best out of every boy and inspiring them.

Thank you @friskybivalves for your feedback. Hope that my son will be abke to cope with the very strict rules!

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Original poster

Sanac · 31/08/2024 15:37

Hels20 · 31/08/2024 14:14

If your child has any diagnosed or potential diagnosed SEN don’t send them there. It is a very strict school - lots of local boys go there and most like it. But detentions are given out for v minor infractions, and exclusions too. Also days are v long. But if your son is academic and well behaved and doesn’t mind working hard, it’s a great school! (We didn’t send our son there because we felt the wrought iron discipline wouldn’t suit him and he would be broken.)

Thank you @Hels20 for your comments! My son is well-behaved and working hard in general, so hope that he can cope with it - fingers crossed

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Wimbledonmum1985 · 31/08/2024 15:42

Super school. Have friends with sons there and they regard it very highly. Excellent leadership and a real effort to build a strong community and old boy network.

friskybivalves · 31/08/2024 17:34

They are definitely shaking the tree for more money at the moment. They know not everyone can afford to contribute but too many who can are not. And that means they can't put on the kind of provision that they know raises it above other schools locally. Just FYI.

OsmiumPhazer · 31/08/2024 20:19

FBS primarily receives government funding but, like many free schools, it’s supplemented by voluntary contributions from parents. These contributions are crucial; without them, many of the exceptional extracurricular activities and smaller class sizes FBS is known for wouldn't be feasible.
Also the school has a structured discipline system that helps students, including those who probably would have faced disciplinary issues before joining, quickly adapt to school routines.

Original poster

Sanac · 01/09/2024 21:47

friskybivalves · 31/08/2024 17:34

They are definitely shaking the tree for more money at the moment. They know not everyone can afford to contribute but too many who can are not. And that means they can't put on the kind of provision that they know raises it above other schools locally. Just FYI.

Thank you @friskybivalves - the headmaster mentioned about parent donation if affordable when we met with him

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Southwest13 · 06/09/2024 17:17

Our DS transferred in to FBS for sixth form from a local independent school that had missed his mild dyslexia. Within three months the FBS SENCo and staff picked up on it. They had independently assessed and he was awarded a 25% time extension. We have nothing but praise for the ethos, staff and senior management team at FBS. If you and your DS are happy with its ethos and focus we cannot recommend FBS more strongly

vroobles · 08/10/2024 14:52

Hels20 spot on, my son is currently there and the headmaster has disliked him from the start as he is not academic but also not badly behaved ...it is strict on a ridiculous level, he is really struggling :(

Sass22 · 05/11/2024 15:34

Hi, is possible if anyone's child goes to Fulham boys can tell me further about the academics side and if teachers are always covered by supply teachers etc.
Thank you.