ELMHURST SCHOOL FOR BOYS

• Elmhurst School

  1 out of 5

  MexTex

  Elmhurst is quite small and easily accessible from East Croydon. It has a good standing in the local community built up over 20 years by the old headmaster. Unfortunately it has over recent years, seen a succession of headmasters which has brought a small level of disruption. The school's marketing literature indicates they prep boys for both grammar and the private sector schools. However it was clearly evidenced that the school was a feeder to the local private schools. Parents wishing to prep their children for a grammar school will need to consider a tutor - possibly from Year 4 as the curriculum does not sufficiently cover grammar school requirements.

  The teaching is poor in some subjects and in some years and in my opinion, for a boys school, there are too many female teachers. In some instances there are one or two teachers who have great difficulty in communicating successfully with the children and their lessons are usually more about control than discovery and learning. These teachers appear to be universally disliked by the children.

  On the plus side the school offers smaller class rooms, swimming and an array of sports. Unfortunately as with many other boys schools - Elmhurst has not adopted a teaching methodology that delivers the most out of its boys. My son's time in the school was enjoyable due to having warm and intelligent peers, but unfortunately this does not extend to the teachers (with the exception of perhaps a few). Would I recommend this school? Possibly .. but only after all other avenues have been exhausted.

  24/05/2011 23:46:34

  Tags: Elmhurst School

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  Comments:

  • Henry Wickham:As Principal of Elmhurst School, I am sorry to read your comments. I have only just come across this review so apologies for the delay in my reply. I think we would all be surprised at Elmhurst by your comment that we don't prepare boys for the grammar school exams. In fact I don't know a school which prepares more! We have free before-school booster classes in Maths and English from Year 5 onwards, plus summer holiday study days, followed by September drop-in sessions before the start of term. All these are geared towards the grammar school entry exams which now take place early in September for Year 6 pupils. In 2011 we had a large number of boys pass not only Wilson's and Wallington but also St Olave's. What is certainly true is that many of the boys who get offered grammar school places end up winning scholarships and bursaries to Whitgift and Trinity, and take those places instead. To parents looking at schools for their children of whatever age, I would always advise to visit and see how you feel about the place. Are the teachers friendly? Is there an inspirational air to the place? Do you think your child would enjoy coming to this school? I hope that is the case for our current pupils, and it's certainly what last term's school inspectors found - see the link on our website. We are always keen to talk through any questions you have, to show you our school, and to let the boys tell you themselves how they feel about Elmhurst. Henry Wickham Principal Elmhurst School for Boys

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