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Secondary education

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Original poster

Girls at Bancrofts

8 replies

Realdid · 27/02/2025 19:26

Hi all

We have been lucky enough to get an offer for Sept 25 Bancrofts entry. DD is thrilled and we all visited where the new head spoke.
I must say I was very underwhelmed by him. Little dynamism, not strong on creative writing provision and really worrying for us, didn't seem to understand how important it is to especially encourage girls to take on STEM subjects. He thought they had no problem, which was really short sighted given nationally we do so any extra support to encourage girls would have been great. He even went on - in from of all the tens of parents in the hall- ask the Year 8 girl if she felt the school had any barriers!
How odd to ask a young girl when he is the headmaster and she is seated in front of him, her teachers, peers and parents!

What have others experience been of girls at Bancrofts? And what's the perception of the head?

Thanks so much

OP posts:
ivyleafgeranium · 27/02/2025 20:58

DD was there under a previous head so can't comment on him. But the school was trying to encourage pupils (and their parents) to think beyond the STEM subjects because there was a strong, almost too strong, focus on those subjects for the majority of girls and boys. DD moved to the school because of the strength in STEM. There were lots of aspiring doctors, dentists and engineers amongst the girls so hopefully your DD will be encouraged to pursue STEM if that is what she wants.

Original poster
Realdid · 28/02/2025 19:32

ivyleafgeranium · 27/02/2025 20:58

DD was there under a previous head so can't comment on him. But the school was trying to encourage pupils (and their parents) to think beyond the STEM subjects because there was a strong, almost too strong, focus on those subjects for the majority of girls and boys. DD moved to the school because of the strength in STEM. There were lots of aspiring doctors, dentists and engineers amongst the girls so hopefully your DD will be encouraged to pursue STEM if that is what she wants.

Thank you so much for your reply. It's reassuring to hear this. So hard to tell from one presentation!
From your experience, were kids also being tutored privately? How pressurised is it? Thank you

OP posts:
hotfirelog · 28/02/2025 23:05

I'd say at open nights a lot of schools ask pupils to give honest opinions to parents. Ours does. State comps.
Kids aren't scared of HT these days

hotfirelog · 28/02/2025 23:07

Kids also often don't have same fear of being on a stage answering questions. Not all obv. But it's common at our school

ivyleafgeranium · 28/02/2025 23:32

DS was there from 11. He says about 10% maybe had some tutoring- mainly maths for those that were weaker in that. DD not aware of much at sixth form. The school does some extra sessions for medics and Oxbridge applicants to go a bit beyond the curriculum. Hope that helps.

ivyleafgeranium · 28/02/2025 23:38

I wouldn't describe it as pressurised but the pupils are ambitious and so it can be competitive. I think they mainly see that as a challenge to rise to, but I guess it could be difficult if a pupil is a perfectionist. My DS was truly awful at one subject and found the school encouraging and accepting of his limitations!

Kitchenblue77 · 12/04/2026 15:05

Bancroft’s school.
i can understand how you felt when you met the new head at Bancroft’s school. Typical of him. When you confront him with an issue, he is very very defensive. He left WGS a few years ago but it’s difficult to know if he left because he wanted to spend more time with his family or he was pushed….or if his manly wife asked him to leave.
He is such a poor speaker but he probably thinks he is great!
Sorry he was chosen as head. Definitely he is NOT good.

Kitchenblue77 · 13/04/2026 07:24

Realdid · 27/02/2025 19:26

Hi all

We have been lucky enough to get an offer for Sept 25 Bancrofts entry. DD is thrilled and we all visited where the new head spoke.
I must say I was very underwhelmed by him. Little dynamism, not strong on creative writing provision and really worrying for us, didn't seem to understand how important it is to especially encourage girls to take on STEM subjects. He thought they had no problem, which was really short sighted given nationally we do so any extra support to encourage girls would have been great. He even went on - in from of all the tens of parents in the hall- ask the Year 8 girl if she felt the school had any barriers!
How odd to ask a young girl when he is the headmaster and she is seated in front of him, her teachers, peers and parents!

What have others experience been of girls at Bancrofts? And what's the perception of the head?

Thanks so much

Bancroft’s school.
i can understand how you felt when you met the new head at Bancroft’s school. Typical of him. When you confront him with an issue, he is very very defensive. He left WGS a few years ago but it’s difficult to know if he left because he wanted to spend more time with his family or he was pushed….or if his manly wife asked him to leave.
He is such a poor speaker but he probably thinks he is great!
Sorry he was chosen as head. Definitely he is NOT good.

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