KGS/LU/Emanuel/Trinity

[MunchkinJ]

Hello,

We’ve narrowed down our options to these schools, and intend to go to the offer holder events next week. I wanted to check if anyone had any suggestions for why one may be better than another?

Our son is on the quieter side and tends to underestimate himself, he’s quietly academic. Enjoys sports/music/art but isn’t particularly “gifted” in any - but will happily join the clubs and enjoy them. Will be joining from a very small and unassuming prep. He has an academic scholarship at Trinity - and we probably wouldn’t be considering it otherwise because of the distance.

Emanuel is the closest at a single bus ride of half an hour, Trinity would be taking the coach. Latymer/kgs would be tube/train of 45mins if everything is working!

DH is very keen on LU because of its ranking, I’m a bit worried that it doesn’t come across as being as “friendly” as the KGS/Trinity particularly. Also flip-flop constantly about whether scrapping GCSEs is genius or a concern!

They’re all great schools, which is no doubt why we’re struggling to land on one.

My child started at LU last year and is very happy. The school has been welcoming and friendly. She came from a small prep and has settled in well. Personally, we are excited about the move away from GCSEs and the enrichment that will give our child’s education.

Mine’s higher up the school at LU but it feels very friendly and lots of ways to get involved as a parent if you want ( but no pressure if you don’t). Came from a small state primary.
No experience of Emanuel or KGS although DC had places at both and know happy kids at both. I think being more central makes LU feel a bit more dynamic and forward thinking but down to earth at the same time. Don't underestimate the journey and remember they can move. Had kids from both Emanuel and KGS join my DCs sixth form at LU.

@stayinalivestayinalive @TwoInARow2020 thank you for taking the time to respond, it’s definitely helpful to hear from current parents of LU - and to hear that it is welcoming and friendly.

Saw this post about LU being friendly and honestly, I’m not sure what school you’re discussing but the OP‘s description of their son I would not recommend Latymer. I have 2 DC at the school and the older one will be leaving for 6th form and younger for y9 as we are honestly fed up.We also picked the school because of its academic ranking and it seemed more real World and down to earth. However, I believe the Schools obsessive focus on bursaries has turned the provision into more of a low average state School offer rather than a private school that you’re paying a huge amount of fees for. There is very little support for students and parents have almost no contact with the school who are frankly utterly disorganised and blame lack of communication with Parents as intended to make students more independent…. I call BS. lack of trips and if you do get one, it’s a bit of a lottery with a very poor odds very few spots available and huge numbers of students. Both my children haven’t been selected to go on a single one other than the pretty rubbish activities week that they keep raving about ( fancy 7 hours in a coach to France) . Your child I believe is more like a number. The behaviour of many of the students is completely unacceptable, Swearing is rife with staff ignoring it vaping in bathrooms regular cover teachers to the point that one of my children barely had a chemistry lesson last year an had to learn everything on their own. The school struggles to retain good staff which I do understand as I don’t see how any decent teacher would want to teach in Hammersmith given the cost of living ,travel etc… the food is also horrendous. We resorted to pack lunches which is a huge pain but my kids weren’t eating and the school reluctant to do anything about it despite Parents really trying with numerous meetings. I think some people are okay with the School, it is very much massive pond and you have to be a very big fish to thrive…. many students survive it but I don’t think that’s what you’re paying for and you have some really good options that I would certainly pick over Latymer. The way you described your DS Latymer would swallow him up- sorry but you asked for honest opinion. My youngest child has started at Emanuel and honestly so far I could not fault them on comms and pastoral care .its still early days so I reserve my full praise but my DS had the opportunity to go to Latymer but I decided not to make the same mistake again and I’m so glad we chose Emanuel although I did worry initially that it wasn’t as highly ranked as Latymer however I believe my child will achieve so much more at Emanuel. They’re actually a school that seems to like children obviously some duds like anywhere and language provision appears abysmal if that’s important to you but that seems to be the case everywhere. really excellent comms between teachers and Parents- they get back to you so quickly, provide a breakdown of where your child is compared to the cohort and the areas of improvement et cetera you don’t get any of that at Latymer other than a 3 sentence AI generated comment with no grading -honestly stay away. I do often wonder if it’s an emperor‘s new clothes situation. Surely people must clock on that the provision is really poor at that School if you’re paying full fees. I would add that both of my children are pretty outgoing and confident sporty and don’t need much hand holding they do have nice friends at the school which has been the main reason why we haven’t moved them earlier however the education has been poor and I wish I would’ve made a different choice if choosing again. Lastly the new non-GCSE curriculum although ok in theory honestly I wouldn’t trust the school to implement this. They are really an abysmally organised School with very poor comms between the departments so something like this would be unattainable for them to implement successfully. You do not want to be a guinea pig.

@berrymummy- you are entitled to you opinion and obviously don’t rate the school at all. I have to say that on pretty much all your individual points that hasn’t been our experience at all.

Wow. Thank you for the frank feedback! Lots to think about.