Kingsdale v Charter! (Advice please!)

[Vik]

Morning all, we have a dilemma!

We were offered Kingsdale, our 3rd choice of school for my son for this September, I was initially a bit reluctant, mainly because of the journey (20mins on bus followed by 20min walk) and it's past reputation, but having spoken to many parents with children there now who are really happy with it, and finding out that my son is one of 10 in his year who are going, we accepted the place.

Then yesterday we received a letter from Charter, which was our 1st choice he has a couple of friends going there, the journey is a 15min walk, and we did fall in love with it when we first saw it, we have to decide by Friday.

We have decided to let our son make the decision but he is as torn as we are! He is very laid back and very academic, so I don't really have any worries on that front although his younger brother (currently yr4) does have some behavioural problems but can work well in the right environment so we have to bare him in mind too.

Does anyone have an opinion on either school or has anyone moved their child from one to the other?

Thank in advance!

[minder]

Hi Vik - I have a daughter in Year 8 at The Charter and also a son who has just left Year 11 and is doing his GCSEs. They are both doing really well. My year 5 daughter will be going there too.

I think with any school there can be problems for some students but so far I have never had any probs with the school and my two are always happy and eager to go in (even when they feel ill)! There was a stage around 8 months ago when a few of my sons teachers left but he seemed to stay on track.

There is another post about The Charter and Kingsdale on the forum somewhere where a parent took her Year 8 daughter out to send to Kingsdale (can't remember the reason) so you could search for that.

Another important thing is the travelling. Luckily we are 5 minutes walk from The Charter but Kingsdale is quite a secluded school transport-wise. I know as I also went there many moons ago and it was sometimes a nightmare getting buses home or sometimes the train - in the summer a lot of us used to walk it (took a good 40 minutes).

Good luck with your decision.

[Sidney]

Why don't you contact the schools and ask to revisit them again during the day, appreciate time is not on your side, but I would hope they could accomodate such a request. It might clarify things for you, as choosing a school is such a personal decision. What ever decision you make will the right one for you and your family. Good luck.

[womanofdulwich]

I always think it is useful to be outside a school as the children come out and see how they are. Lively/ sulky/fighting/ in big groups - and then imagine what your child would be doing. The journey - to and from school is so important- it can really effect how much after school things they do if they don't feel safe coming out later by themselves. Also people are loathe to bad mouth the school their children are currently at- try and catch one that has just left and ask them.

[minder]

Womanofdulwich - I don't think people would hesitate in telling Vik they weren't happy with The Charter or Kingsdale if their kids went to these schools and that was the case. That's why she's asking for advice.

My son's tutor, who's had them since Year 7, was in tears a few weeks ago when the Year 11's left. My son was sad to leave as well although he's got a place at the 6th Form College there so can't stay away for long.

I would have taken them out of Charter if they weren't happy. Although, it would have to be for something serious to be wrong with the school as we haven't much choice in Southwark have we? I took my youngest (then in Year 4) out of Bessemer Grange a year ago because I wasn't happy with it. My two eldest had gone there from Nursery to Year 6 but things changed.

[Carrie]

My two are at Charter and I really have no experience of Kingsdale so can't compare and contrast - but one of the main things for me in Charters favour was that it was walkable (althouhg we are on the very edge of the catchment area as it was 4 years ago) - I always wanted them to be able to walk to school - and the best thing is all their friends are within walking distance of school as well which means that it is very easy for them to socialise without the need for a parental taxi service! My two are very different one academic - one more of a social butterfly but they are both doing really well at Charter and are very happy there.

[chrism]

Hi Vik

I have previously posted my thoughts on Kingsdale on another thread, but just thought I'd add that the journey from ED is not that bad. My son actively enjoys bussing in, and it's not a problem for him to visit friends after school - he just breaks his journey. There was talk of asking TfL to increase the frequency of the P13, as so many more East Dulwich kids are coming to Kingsdale, and of organising a school bus, but not sure of progress on this.

I agree with the other posters about visiting schools again and hanging around outside at 3pm (I did this too!), but you can also ask to attend a parents' forum at Kingsdale where you'll get to meet some of the senior staff as well as the parents. It gives a useful insight into the running of the school. I think the parent-school relationship at Kingsdale is one of its strengths - there is a genuine willingness to listen and respond to parents.

Chris

[TillieTrotter]

Hi, I have two sons at The Charter. The eldest is in year 9 and has just sat two gcse's early (as have many of his peers) and is very happy there. The youngest started last September and after a shakyish start (he is a SOD) has really settled in and is doing very well. The Charter are very good at parental involvement and will phone or write if your child hasn't handed in homework or has been distruptive or whatever. I find this very helpful and reassuring that they take personal note of each child. Academically the school seems to be going from strength to strength.

As I type this, my house is ringing with the delightful:-S sound of six extra charter kids playing computer games in my study. They all seem like nice kids from varying backgrounds.

Good Luck, this can be a really stressful time but you'll make the right decision I'm sure.

[marcos]

Hi Vik.

We have one son at Kingsdale who is at the end of year seven.

He was one of 20 children from Goodrich School who moved last year and the general consensus from the families and children has been a positive one so far. I know that another 30 or so Goodrich Kids will be going this year.

My son is a sports scholar and has enjoyed lots of extra sports lesson and additional outside activities, for example on Friday he and other scholars went to Crystal Palace to help with a Primary Schools Sports day and last weeknd he went to Wembley to see an under 18 football game.

I know that music scholars are also benefiting from the excellent facilities and opportunities. We went to a superb concert that was held in the Schools' pod in March to raise additional monies for some of the children who do African Drumming going to Namibia.

The journey has been fine, P13 or 363 bus, some of the kids cycle.

I know one parent whose child moved to Kingsdale from Charter, not because they had a poor opinion of Charter, but because Kingsdale offered more opportunities for her musically.

I oftem drop off and pick up my son and all of the children appear well behaved and orderly.

It's a difficult decision, I'm sure both schools would offer a good education for your son.

Good luck!

[Zaardvark]

Hi Vik,

I was going to post but then saw you had to decide by Friday.

What was your decision?

Best

Z

[Vik]

Thank you all so much for you helpful messages and PM's.

We chose Charter in the end, the journey was a major influence among other things, I've been to the school 3 times in the past week to sort paperwork out, and I get a really good feeling from the place!

Thanks again, all the beat to those who will be going through it all from September, it's a difficult time!

[teresa]

i am glad because my son goes kingsdale and it is rubbish

[happyED]

teresa Wrote:

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> i am glad because my son goes kingsdale and it is rubbish

I am sorry that you feel unhappy with your son's school. As a parent whose son is going to go to Kingsdale next term I am anxious to know why you think it is "rubbish". Would you mind telling us a few more details?

[KalamityKel]

Perhaps Teresa doesn't actually think so but working on the idea that others do?

[TillieTrotter]

KalamityKel Wrote:

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> Perhaps Teresa doesn't actually think so but

> working on the idea that others do?

I hope this isn't the case KK as that would be a silly thing to say. If her child is happy there then it's probably the right school.

[TillieTrotter]

AND...well done to you Vik, a great weight off your shoulders now. I hope your child has a great time there.

[Curly]

Yes it's a very sweeping statement without any supporting substance.

A few years ago some parents told me that Fairlawn was rubbish - and I'm glad I didn't listen to them. My children have had a fantastic time and education there and Fairlawn, from what I understand, is now one of only three schools in the country with Outstanding for every Ofsted criteria and near the top of the Lewisham league table.

If Kingsdale is as 'rubbish' as Fairlawn then I will be a very happy parent indeed!!>:D<

[Msgee]

My son has nearly finished year 7 at Kingsdale. He's gone from being horribly shy to...not quite so horribly shy (come on, Rome wasn't built in a day!) Last week we actually saw him in a PLAY. He couldn't be dragged anywhere near a stage at his primary.He looked happy and confident- it was fantastic..

Tbh all my experiences of Kingsdale have been overwhelmingly positive- it's a lovely school, and they really try to nurture and look after the kids- year 7s at any rate.

[Ann]

Delighted to hear your son's doing well Msgee.

[Emilia]

happyED, rest assured - I have heard nothing but praise for Kingsdale (teresa's post above is the exception)over the past couple of years. :))

[JessicaCT]

I notice the last post on Kingsdale was back in July. I just wondered how parents of children who started in Sept 2009 were finding it? Or anyone else who is there. And ? sorry to get all pushy and middle class about it ? but how are the GCSE results looking these days?

[intexasatthe moment]

I would be interested to hear more .

Have heard the following and would be interested in first hand accounts -

Kingsdale - teachers overly strict ,giving detentions for minor infringements that could be dealt with more constructively

- bullying still a problem

Charter - parent has told me that streaming means pupil's aptitude in one or two subjects ( Maths + English ? ) dictates stream. Different streams study different sets of subjects with lower sets following vocational subjects and only top sets allowed broader ( ie + languages and humanities ) range.

[MrsR]

My daughter is in year 7 at Kingsdale and is doing very well. They have small tutor groups for English and Maths and she is flourishing. She has played netball for the school and performed in a choir, solo and in ensembles. I do not believe bullying is any more of a problem there than at other secondary schools. I have always witnessed the children arriving and leaving school very sensibly. Their GCSE results continue to improve in leaps and bounds (can be found on the BBC Eduction website).

[batgirl]

A friend of mine whom happens to be a secondary school teacher has just removed her son from Kingsdale.

[sillywoman]

Do you know why batgirl? (e.g. will she be going private, was he bullied etc.etc.) Also which year is he in?