lucky bob

Hi all, just to add to the discussion, we arrived in London a month or so ago and my daughter started at Kingsdale 4 weeks ago as a music scholar, a few days ago she solemnly declared that she wants to move into the school and never leave it. This is after me worrying all summer as to whether she will be happy/bullied/challenged/accepted etc. She has been moved up into a higher set as soon as it came to the teacher's attention that she was not being challenged - and is very happy with this set up. I do not really understand the streaming system as it does not exist where I come from - but there does seem to be a vast difference in the classroom atmosphere depending on what set it is. The set she was in previoulsy although fun and welcoming was apparently very loud and disruptive. It seems to me unfair not to offer all the children the same level of focus and concetration - is ability always linked to behaviour or does it become a vicious circle. Anyhow forgive my thinking out loud - what I wanted to say is that regardless of top, middle or bottom sets the children at Kingsdale seem to be very happy and my daughter was happy in both the sets she has experienced. The music department is brilliant so if your children have musical aptitude they will be given loads of opportunities to develop and expand ...

hello all, yes, my one and only started on Tuesday and she agrees it is the s word! all looks great, so far - she came out beaming!

Hi Msgee and thanks for your reply, that all sounds great! There are a few children at Kingsdale that my daughter went to primary school with ( before our move) so she there will be a few familiar faces, like your son my daughter is also not the most extrovert of kids! We are both very excited and can't wait for music activities to kick in! And yes, I also saw the 70% pass rate news - is that actually possible! I am not particularly bothered by pass rates, as schools are about a lot more than academic success, but if that's the improvement they have made, then ... respect! (I believe that is the right term to use in London?)

That sounds great - I would definitely be interested in taking part! I travel a lot with my work, so would be great if I could arrange to come in more frequently when I am in UK? But I guess I will see you at the forum if not at the school gate, and thanks Curly for all your reassuring info. I can't believe it's only a week today it all starts - readjusting to life in London, new school - this forum has been really helpful, so thanks all.

Hi again, just realised that the 3rd friday in september is the 18th, so if there is a parents' forum then I will be around - great!

Yes, I'd love to be involved and offered any help the school might need, when my daughter was in primary in Stockwell ( prior to our move to Croatia) I used to go in for reading sessions, library help, etc. I don't know if Kingsdale runs any such schemes? Unfortunately I wont be in the UK the 3rd Friday in September, but my husband will and we would definitely want to be actively involved!

Thanks for your answer Debi, and sorry for my fretting... my daughter starts next week and is really looking forward to it, especially after your update on gender equality-ishness.

Hi Inglesa, I replied to this earlier but am not sure whether I made a private reply or any reply, as the post is not here, so I will say again! My daughter went for a music audition at Kingsdale in June and we were really impressed by the head of music, and the music department as a whole - apart from the fantastic building, the department seemed vibrant, bubbly and happy and the head of music a person who immediately gained our trust and respect. My daughter was awarded a music scholarship so we were over the moon about that, however we visited the school after school hours unfortunately so did not get to see it fully functioning. I have come across various contradictory information on the internet - but judging by the posts on this forum it seems to be a welcoming, nurturing and challenging (academically!) school. My concern is about all the other mentions of 'challenging' i have come across on various internet sites, as in 'challenging behaviour', and today found on the TES site that Kingsdale was one of the schools listed to offer teachers financial bonuses for teaching in 'challenging' schools... Again - any inside information from parents with children at Kingsdale would be really appreciated, confused thanks!

Hi Curly, thanks for post - do you mean each year group in Kingsdale has their own playground and toilet? That sounds good! We are coming from a small school in Croatia, which had a very uninspiring curriculum but an incredibly safe environment... I am guessing any secondary school in London would seem quite intimidating, but would appreciate any suggestions for a good start as a year 8 girl in Kingsdale. I read somewhere that there were overwhelmingly more boys than girls at the school, something like 3 to 1, is this the case? thanks all!

hey Inglesa. we are also returning to south london after 4 years spent in Croatia, my daughter is going to Kingsdale, entering year 8 in septrember. Kingsdale seemed really great when we visited but I am really worried about bullying, although I would be worried about that anywhere... what have you decided for in the end? Charter of Kingsdale? This forum seems to have mostly positive things to say about Kingsdale ... fingers crossed!

Hi Msgee, great to read positive opinions about Kingsdale, my daughter will be starting in year 8 this september, we are moving back to London after a few years abroad. I was also really impressed by the staff and the music facilities when we went to visit, but i do have a constant worry about bullying issues - I am guessing these issues would be similar in any south london school - and I have nothing to go by apart from various youtube uploads ( which are not a pretty sight!). I would appreciate any more comments or advice you might have for a new girl ( music scholar) starting at Kingsdale! thanks:)