Best Non-Selectives in West Kent/East Sussex?

[WKMum]

Steiner is taking a bit of a knock in my other thread, so does anyone have any great recommendations for non-selective secondaries in West Kent/East Sussex?

As mentioned in my other thread, I'm looking for a v. low-pressure environment for DD whose interests are creative rather than academic - with the full awareness that she is still young (Age 8, Year 3) and all might change in a couple of years, so we are just currently exploring all options.

I am thinking mainly of indies, since I know the state schools around here (Bennett, St. G's) are church, which we are not eligible for. I wish the new Academy every success, and I know I should support it, but I am a bit wary - particularly since it would mean uprooting again for sixth form.

Does anyone have direct experience of Beechwood or Sackville (heard v. mixed reports). A couple of people have suggested Walthamstow Hall and Combe Bank, but they still have entrance exams, and again I have heard mixed reports about both. I like Kent College, and everyone I know with DDs there loves it, but again it's selective.

DD is happy at local state primary, so I am reluctant to move her before 11.

Has anyone done the Rosehill for two years then CE route? Did that work out? I'm not greatly in favour of chopping and changing so much, though...

All advice and thoughts welcome!

Hi again WKMum. My younger child is very similar to yours - Yr 3, struggles at maths and enjoys creative aspects of the curriculum rather more. I will have the same concerns, apart from the fact that I live just across the border in Sussex so can avoid the sinkhole that has been the old TW High. I have been following your Steiner thread with great interest, both because I have these friends who's DDs will be joining Steiner at age 11, and also because I had thought it a possibility for my DD. I'm not convinced though that it is for me and will be pointing my friends in the direction of the thread for them to digest the info there.

Indies probably aren't an option for us - most will be too selective. I have heard similar reports about the local indies to yourself. There is also Notre Dame in Lingfield but again it is selective.

I have heard that Rosehill is quite academically focused although less of a hothouse than Holmewood House.

If you did look into the comprehensive route, then you could look at Uplands Community College in Wadhurst which is ranked outstanding. This is increasingly oversubscribed however and might require a move to Wadhurst!

Failing that, Beacon Community College in Crowborough hasn't had a good reputation in past years but is rapidly improving. My major doubt about it though is that it is fine for very bright students, and those at the very bottom of the academic 'ladder', but quiet, well behaved children who may struggle at a little are overlooked. Of course a lot can happen in 3 years and it may well improve greatly. The other issue is that it's huge, spread over two sites and doesn't currently have a great art department, although the drama side is quite good.

I will keep watching this thread too in case someone else can share some gems of knowledge!

Aagh - that should be whose not who's.

Thanks for your post, SP: it's good to know I have a 'kindred spirit' on this site! We will have to virtually hold each other's hands when the time comes ...

I have heard good things about Uplands, too, and we might be able to sneak a place there for DD (we are on the Forest Road side of TW), although, as you say, the net is closing... Also, I think KCC are really pushing the 'Academy' - a kid in our street who passed the 11+ got offered a place there this year! - so the odds don't look good. I feel terrible saying it, because I know I should be supporting the 'new' school, but it's just so hard to make that leap of faith, isn't it?

What you say about Beacon is what worries me about most larger state schools to be honest, so I think we will bite the bullet and go private if we can find a decent non-selective.

I'd be really keen to hear what your friends make of MH School in FR. I thought it seemed lovely when I visited, but it's alarming reading all these very negative comments about the methodology. The trouble is, some of the really ardent anti-Waldorfers sound almost as fervent and cultish as the purportedly, erm, 'eccentric' Steiner teachers ... (No doubt this post will be pulled now!)

I feel so very disillusioned with the whole education system in this part of the world! I just don't know what to do. DH always says: don't worry, it'll sort itself out. And I think: yes, because I'll end up being the one who has to fix it!

Anyway, sorry to moan!

I don't suppose you know anything about Battle Abbey School? They seem to have a good drama/creative focus, but not sure about the entrance exam.

Keep in touch!

I was educated in NZ so I am finding the whole secondary school decision making process rather alarming. DH was grammar educated at the same school our DS has gained a place so he has a rather one-eyed view of the system himself.

I went through a comprehensive system, NZ not having grammar schools and the option of private schooling was for the very wealthy only with the majority being boarding. Having said that, the large comprehensive I went to (around 1200 pupils) didn't do my education any harm, but I was an able student and found the learning easy. It was the social side that was hard!

I have heard that a quite a few children who passed the 11+ but were too far away from grammar schools were offered the Academy. I think TWGGS had a catchment of around 1.5 miles this year so very difficult for those on the western side of TW.

I will pass on any info I get about FR school. One of the mums is the type who is very quickly enthused about things, then equally as quickly goes off the boil and finds 'issues', so I'm not holding my breath it will be a permanent thing for her child. She has done a lot of research and seems to be okay with the idea at the present time but I think she has only seen the school on a open day so has been presented with a very positive spin on things. And I would say that FR is very alternative in its outlook (or as one ex-resident put it to me "all woo and crystals"). I'm more and more thinking it is outside my comfort zone.

I don't know anything about Battle Abbey I'm afraid but my SIL lives in the area so can ask her and will let you know!

Oh you poor thing SP! I imagine you must be wondering why on earth us Brits subject ourselves to this educational nightmare/minefield/torture!

I lived in Italy for many years and people there would look at you in genuine bemusement as you bored on for hours about the school system over here. They would be like: well, there's the primary school, and then there's the secondary school, and that's about it. Fair play to them!

I am in exactly the same situation as you re: DH, who passed the 11+ (as did all his family before him ad infinitum - yawn!) and who can see no reason why, with coaching, our DD wouldn't pass for TWGGS.

However, I am not comfortable with that kind of pressure for her and, as I have said, even if she did pass/was coached to pass, I am just not sure it would be the right environment for her.

I was at state village infants then mixed prep then private girls secondary, which I think was a pretty good solution for me. (I am your polar opposite in that I found the social side the easy bit and the academic stuff the hard part!) I wasn't remotely 'clever', but, despite about 20% of the kids at my school going on to Oxbridge (you would not believe for how long I thought that was an actual place!), the teaching staff still seemed to be able to encourage the other girls in whatever it was they did well - academic or not.

Anyway, thanks for checking out about Battle Abbey and for offering to be a mole for the Steiner shenanigans at MH: I am indebted to you!

This forum has been a huge help to me, I must say! Thanks so much!

Hi
Just new to mumsnet; my DD will sit her entrance exams in November, one of which school is Walthamstow Hall, Sevenoaks. Does anyone know of any past entrance exam papers? All the school will say is that the exam consists of Comprehension and an essay for the English, plus Maths. I just want to know what are the structure and standards...

Jabjab Both my DDs sat the entrance for Walthamstow Hall and both told me the tests were much simpler than the 11plus especially the maths paper. Unless they have tightened thins up in the last 4 years a bright girl should not have a problem.