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Secondary education

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

Original poster

St Marylebone school for girls (CE)

33 replies

Buru · 03/03/2025 22:06

Hi all

We have received a place at Marylebone school for girls and are thinking whether to accept it. Two points that make me hesitate: (a) we are not Christians, and it’s a bit of a stretch for us. We are not religious, but our faith is very important to me and I would not enter a church except some very special occasions. Marylebone was super considerate to us already, which made me apply in the first place, but I would like to get some insights on how religious or not religious it is; (b) DD is an end of August baby, and we were planning to try out for a top independent academic school next year. Starting year 7 now would deprive us of that chance. DD is not a super academic person, but she is a late bloomer and very hard working, so I thought she should at least give it a try. I do want to give her the best education to the extent I can.

DD is somewhat talented in performing arts (dance, drama, art), and her coach strongly recommended us considering Sylvia Young to develop her potential. I understand that Marylebone is a good alternative to a performing arts school, but again, I am not convinced that it is the right path compared to an academic route.

OP posts:
LIZS · 03/03/2025 22:17

Where is she now if not in y6?

Original poster
Buru · 03/03/2025 23:31

LIZS · 03/03/2025 22:17

Where is she now if not in y6?

B/n 5 and 6 - a special school which would allow us both, finish the primary school this year or stay an extra year

OP posts:
BeProudPlumPoet · 04/03/2025 10:22

We also received an offer from St Marylebone, which we will accept. It was our top choice so really happy. Only downside is that we are not local so my DD will be the only child from her primary attending St Marylebone

BeProudPlumPoet · 04/03/2025 10:23

And my DD is a late summer born too. End of July!

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 04/03/2025 10:28

Buru · 03/03/2025 22:06

Hi all

We have received a place at Marylebone school for girls and are thinking whether to accept it. Two points that make me hesitate: (a) we are not Christians, and it’s a bit of a stretch for us. We are not religious, but our faith is very important to me and I would not enter a church except some very special occasions. Marylebone was super considerate to us already, which made me apply in the first place, but I would like to get some insights on how religious or not religious it is; (b) DD is an end of August baby, and we were planning to try out for a top independent academic school next year. Starting year 7 now would deprive us of that chance. DD is not a super academic person, but she is a late bloomer and very hard working, so I thought she should at least give it a try. I do want to give her the best education to the extent I can.

DD is somewhat talented in performing arts (dance, drama, art), and her coach strongly recommended us considering Sylvia Young to develop her potential. I understand that Marylebone is a good alternative to a performing arts school, but again, I am not convinced that it is the right path compared to an academic route.

I know lots of girls from non religious families who are extremely talented at dance, music and drama who have opted for St M and been very happy with it.

I wouldn't touch Sylvia Young with a barge pole - there are other threads on here about them as a school. Also know many students there and most are doing very high levels of training outside school - which gets expensive on top of the fees.

If you are wanting academics and PA, then maybe look at Tring?

Finally if your child isn't super academic then consider how happy she may or may not be at a super academic school. It's your child who has to go there, so parents need to consider best fit for an individual chold rather than just what looks good on paper.

Weescotlady · 04/03/2025 13:59

My daughter was fortunate to get an offer too and we're so far from being religious but accepting because I think the school will be a good fit for her. None of her close friends got in and are currently on waiting list but i'm confident she will manage to make friends.

Meowfoy · 04/03/2025 14:14

We've declined the place offered to my DD so hopefully the waitlist will move for your DD's friends!

Nkmama15 · 16/05/2025 12:09

BeProudPlumPoet · 04/03/2025 10:22

We also received an offer from St Marylebone, which we will accept. It was our top choice so really happy. Only downside is that we are not local so my DD will be the only child from her primary attending St Marylebone

How far is really far? I’ve been looking to see the distance the school offers but that stats showed the offers were not over 1 mile!

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 12:22

Nkmama15 · 16/05/2025 12:09

How far is really far? I’ve been looking to see the distance the school offers but that stats showed the offers were not over 1 mile!

Show quote history

My DD got a music scholarship place so distance was irrelevant for us. We would have never got it via distance as we are in south east London - although well connected around 35 min door to door

HeraOliver267 · 16/05/2025 12:42

Nkmama15 · 16/05/2025 12:09

How far is really far? I’ve been looking to see the distance the school offers but that stats showed the offers were not over 1 mile!

Show quote history

Distance is also less relevant if you are going for a CoE place...

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 16/05/2025 13:01

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 12:22

My DD got a music scholarship place so distance was irrelevant for us. We would have never got it via distance as we are in south east London - although well connected around 35 min door to door

Show quote history

Don't panic.

DD was only one from her primary and we're 90 minutes travel away at her secondary.

Has never been an issue - especially for London... they just get really independent and good at transport.

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 13:09

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 16/05/2025 13:01

Don't panic.

DD was only one from her primary and we're 90 minutes travel away at her secondary.

Has never been an issue - especially for London... they just get really independent and good at transport.

Show quote history

Thanks :) it’s daunting when you are used to a 5 min walk commute to primary. It was our first choice so we knew what we were signing up for, but of course she’s still little to my eye :) I do work 5 min down the road from the new school, so that should help.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 16/05/2025 13:14

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 13:09

Thanks :) it’s daunting when you are used to a 5 min walk commute to primary. It was our first choice so we knew what we were signing up for, but of course she’s still little to my eye :) I do work 5 min down the road from the new school, so that should help.

Show quote history

I actually called the police on day 3 of secondary when daft child turned her phone off to 'save battery' and my tracker showed she was in a random house a mile from where she should be.

They were very kind to me... I got the feeling they got rather a lot of traumatised Y7 parents doing the same.

Now she is a total whizz with transport apps and has her own life with her friends (and I still track her - with a more accurate system!)

If you're just down the road for work that will make the early weeks much more reassuring.

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 13:22

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 16/05/2025 13:14

I actually called the police on day 3 of secondary when daft child turned her phone off to 'save battery' and my tracker showed she was in a random house a mile from where she should be.

They were very kind to me... I got the feeling they got rather a lot of traumatised Y7 parents doing the same.

Now she is a total whizz with transport apps and has her own life with her friends (and I still track her - with a more accurate system!)

If you're just down the road for work that will make the early weeks much more reassuring.

Show quote history

What tracking app are you using if I can ask?

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 16/05/2025 13:32

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 13:22

What tracking app are you using if I can ask?

Show quote history

I was using Life360... and got very odd results

I now just use FindMyPhone on iPhone. Also have airtags in main bag. So either her phone, bag or airpods will show up.

peterhart · 17/05/2025 16:27

BeProudPlumPoet · 04/03/2025 10:22

We also received an offer from St Marylebone, which we will accept. It was our top choice so really happy. Only downside is that we are not local so my DD will be the only child from her primary attending St Marylebone

nice. this is a really good secondary school

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 17/05/2025 16:35

It's a really good school. I would accept the place.

ThatChirpySnail · 19/05/2025 15:37

Hi, chiming in as I went to this school (albeit 15 years ago) and have known a few kids since who have attended. Honestly, the facilities on offer are exceptional (on par with most independent schools), as it the academic side of things. Music and Performing Arts are particular strengths - quite compulsory even for those who aren't theatrically inclined! The current head, who was an English teacher whilst I was there, is a really lovely lady and an excellent teacher. Languages and English were also incredibly well taught. Academically, I went on to do very well, which i owe in part to this school. Am now Dr. ThatChirpySnail, and my old classmates have gone on to do a range of interesting and impressive things.

In hindsight, it was not the right school for me, despite being academic and musically inclined. The disciplinary measures were unnecessary and punitive - a pressure cooker environment for the MH issues of quiet, worry-prone girls like myself. Mental Health and pastoral support were pretty poor when I was there and have heard similar from those who've gone since. The school has a very academic and competitive culture - therefore a high prevalence of kids developing anxiety-related conditions. Bullying was not dealt with effectively and I saw some fairly shocking pupil-on-pupil things in my time there. Sadly, not uncommon across schools. Hopefully, the provision has improved, as seems to be the case across the board with pastoral support.

BeProudPlumPoet · 19/05/2025 19:13

ThatChirpySnail · 19/05/2025 15:37

Hi, chiming in as I went to this school (albeit 15 years ago) and have known a few kids since who have attended. Honestly, the facilities on offer are exceptional (on par with most independent schools), as it the academic side of things. Music and Performing Arts are particular strengths - quite compulsory even for those who aren't theatrically inclined! The current head, who was an English teacher whilst I was there, is a really lovely lady and an excellent teacher. Languages and English were also incredibly well taught. Academically, I went on to do very well, which i owe in part to this school. Am now Dr. ThatChirpySnail, and my old classmates have gone on to do a range of interesting and impressive things.

In hindsight, it was not the right school for me, despite being academic and musically inclined. The disciplinary measures were unnecessary and punitive - a pressure cooker environment for the MH issues of quiet, worry-prone girls like myself. Mental Health and pastoral support were pretty poor when I was there and have heard similar from those who've gone since. The school has a very academic and competitive culture - therefore a high prevalence of kids developing anxiety-related conditions. Bullying was not dealt with effectively and I saw some fairly shocking pupil-on-pupil things in my time there. Sadly, not uncommon across schools. Hopefully, the provision has improved, as seems to be the case across the board with pastoral support.

Thank you for the feedback. Useful to get different perspectives. :)

How2parentNot · 11/06/2025 13:11

BeProudPlumPoet · 16/05/2025 12:22

My DD got a music scholarship place so distance was irrelevant for us. We would have never got it via distance as we are in south east London - although well connected around 35 min door to door

Show quote history

Hi @BeProudPlumPoet ,

Many congratulations to and your daughter for securing a Music Scholarship place, that's no mean feat.

My daughter is tempted to apply for either a Choral or Instrumental performing arts place, and we're struggling to find general information that could help us understand the process and obligations better. For example Drama applicants are directed to prepare a 1 minute monologue, and dance applicants something similar, however it's not immediately clear what music applicants should be preparing.

If not too much trouble, would you mind advising:

  1. How many pieces was your daughter asked to prepare? And is this the same for both choral and instrument auditions?

  2. How many minutes in duration were you advised that the piece/s should be?

  3. Should we be prepared to bring a recording of any accompaniment (if appropiate); and finally

  4. Recalling your experience from this period last year, was there anything about the audition or the initial MAT process which you/ your daughter feel it would have been helpful to have been made aware of sooner than you were?

I hope that's all OK.

Thank you so much 🙏

BeProudPlumPoet · 11/06/2025 16:59

How2parentNot · 11/06/2025 13:11

Hi @BeProudPlumPoet ,

Many congratulations to and your daughter for securing a Music Scholarship place, that's no mean feat.

My daughter is tempted to apply for either a Choral or Instrumental performing arts place, and we're struggling to find general information that could help us understand the process and obligations better. For example Drama applicants are directed to prepare a 1 minute monologue, and dance applicants something similar, however it's not immediately clear what music applicants should be preparing.

If not too much trouble, would you mind advising:

  1. How many pieces was your daughter asked to prepare? And is this the same for both choral and instrument auditions?

  2. How many minutes in duration were you advised that the piece/s should be?

  3. Should we be prepared to bring a recording of any accompaniment (if appropiate); and finally

  4. Recalling your experience from this period last year, was there anything about the audition or the initial MAT process which you/ your daughter feel it would have been helpful to have been made aware of sooner than you were?

I hope that's all OK.

Thank you so much 🙏

Show quote history

Hi,

So the first round is an aural test which will test aptitude in recognising pitch, melody, tempo etc. There is also a graphical exercise where I think you need to pick which graphic represents the melody you hear.
My daughter did a couple of practice test with her piano teacher but nothing major, although she’s naturally good at aural reason why we didn’t do much prep.
I’m not sure about the choral but for the instrumental you are asked to do one piece of max 3 minutes and no accompaniment is allowed.

Summerdew · 11/06/2025 17:10

ThatChirpySnail · 19/05/2025 15:37

Hi, chiming in as I went to this school (albeit 15 years ago) and have known a few kids since who have attended. Honestly, the facilities on offer are exceptional (on par with most independent schools), as it the academic side of things. Music and Performing Arts are particular strengths - quite compulsory even for those who aren't theatrically inclined! The current head, who was an English teacher whilst I was there, is a really lovely lady and an excellent teacher. Languages and English were also incredibly well taught. Academically, I went on to do very well, which i owe in part to this school. Am now Dr. ThatChirpySnail, and my old classmates have gone on to do a range of interesting and impressive things.

In hindsight, it was not the right school for me, despite being academic and musically inclined. The disciplinary measures were unnecessary and punitive - a pressure cooker environment for the MH issues of quiet, worry-prone girls like myself. Mental Health and pastoral support were pretty poor when I was there and have heard similar from those who've gone since. The school has a very academic and competitive culture - therefore a high prevalence of kids developing anxiety-related conditions. Bullying was not dealt with effectively and I saw some fairly shocking pupil-on-pupil things in my time there. Sadly, not uncommon across schools. Hopefully, the provision has improved, as seems to be the case across the board with pastoral support.

I think things must have moved on a bit since you’ve left. I have two DDs there and the mental health, pastoral care, SEN provision and anti bullying provision is amazing. Neither of mine are strongly academic and always feel supported and encouraged. I think times have changed a lot generally in the last few years. Agree the current head is lovely. We aren’t local and I am delighted that we are able to go here. One of mine sees the school counselor and the referral time was about three weeks which I was amazed at, I expected to wait a year.

Exciting times for those of you joining in September!

Summerdew · 11/06/2025 17:13

Just to add @ThatChirpySnail I’m not saying you didn’t have that tough experience, only that it isn’t what I’ve seen of the school recently. I hope it didn’t come across as denigrating your experience there.

BeProudPlumPoet · 11/06/2025 18:17

Summerdew · 11/06/2025 17:10

I think things must have moved on a bit since you’ve left. I have two DDs there and the mental health, pastoral care, SEN provision and anti bullying provision is amazing. Neither of mine are strongly academic and always feel supported and encouraged. I think times have changed a lot generally in the last few years. Agree the current head is lovely. We aren’t local and I am delighted that we are able to go here. One of mine sees the school counselor and the referral time was about three weeks which I was amazed at, I expected to wait a year.

Exciting times for those of you joining in September!

Show quote history

We are also not local. Can I ask if your DD commutes by tube? We will be on the Elizabeth line so stressing out about transport delay and punctuality. The journey is not too long for us around 40 min door to door, but is heavily dependant on the tube working properly. Glad to hear all the positive feedback. We are so happy for the place.

Echobelly · 11/06/2025 18:21

I'd say go for it - my oldest joined the sixth form in September and really likes it. Great for the arts.

I wouldn't worry about the Christian stuff at all, we're Jewish and it's fine for DC. Yeah, they have a church service (weekly I think?) but it's very relaxed, no one's being blugeoned with Christianity.

We're not local (North London) and DC has to go in by tube but has never had travel problems, but then they are pretty obsessive about leaving on early to ensure they are on time for anything.

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