Haberdashers Askes school

[fenalex]

I know that this school is not in East Dulwich, but there is a possibility that someone has personal experience of Haberdashers Askes Hatcham College that they might be willing to share. My daughter has been offered a place for this September, but also has another option. We have to commit to Haberdashers within 10 days and are dithering badly. I am so worried about making the wrong decision. Can anyone tell me if they are happy they chose the school, or are regretting it for whatever reason?

Many thanks in advance.

[Otta]

I can't offer much advise, but I can say that if she's musical you should go with Aske's.

[fenalex]

Otta, thank you for your reply (only one in over 200 views!) - she's fairly musical so that might be a factor. Thanks again for your input.

[DandySandy]

This school is oversubscribed, my sister didn't get a place and they live much closer to the school - who knows how they assign the places! Peers who have gone to that school, also seem to be well turned out individuals. I would recommend it as a secondary school. It also seems to get decent reports from Ofsted - but this is of course all relative. Bottom line, if my child was offered a place at that school, would I accept it - yes, for a mixed school. The only other choice, IMHO, better than that (relatively locally) would be Newstead Wood in Bromley. What's your other choice?

[uzma]

My husband attended the college ( say about 16 years ago!) he absolutely loved it then. More recently family friends children attend The school and love it!

[nunheadmum]

I think Aske's recently (last few years) tied up with a local primary which has changed their intake a bit - so worth talking to folk with more recent experience of the school. Did you visit the school - would they allow you a visit now if you didn't?

[bornagain]

Aske's used to until around 5 years ago operate a quasi grammar admissions policy using interviews/musical scholarships etc to choose students who were academically above the norm. This has changed now as they have been forced by Lewisham to prioritise local children which includes a merger with a local (previously failing) primary school. As I understand it, it is now quite a different school, not necessary worse but certainly not the school it was then. Reflecting the new more egalitarian intake, the results are generally not as good.

[esmeralda]

My son and daughter went to asks. This was ten years ago. They had a great experience and did very well. My daughter being a surgeon and my son a professional athlete and nutritionist. Actually, everyone i knew of did very well at asks. Most of them got into medicine. I am not sure if this has changed at all. good luck with your decision.

[duchessofdulwich]

Husband went to Askes about 16 years ago also. Used to be a good school heard mixed reports about it recently.

[tomskip]

I don't think anyone in SE22 is in the catchment for this school nowadays.