camp hill girls or 5 ways?
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Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
orianagirl wrote:Hi asldoc
I think the Head Teacher's remark referring to maths may be to do with the fact that I think boys historically tend to do better at maths than girls? Maths was not my daughter's strongest subject when she joined CHG but now she loves it!
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I did want to clarify that I know girls do historically worse than boys. My feeling is that the head teacher is not thinking very progressively if she feels the need to mention this in her speech. She should just see the fact that girls at the school do well at maths as natural -expected even. And particularly in a room with many young girls- she should not raise the idea that others might think girls can't achieve or that there is any doubt.
As my friend put it- she should be a "thought leader"
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
What people are saying here about CHG we've felt the same about CHB. Son has just finished A-levels there (started at the school in Y7), gone to a Russell Group Uni to do Law, but we're not that content with the school. Academically very solid, but a bit of a factory, and no warmth or vibe as other's are saying about CHG. Teachers are also content (in our experience) just to let the boys get on with being clever, with no real inspiration -- and not a little arrogance from a number of the teachers.
Son number 2 just sat the test. We put CHB first (perhaps because we felt we had to?) and we live locally to it. But he preferred Five Ways and Handsworth Grammar. In fact, he preferred Handsworth Grammar the best due to the warmth of the staff and students. And it seems likely, based on his result he'll being going to one of those schools anyhow.
Sorry to hijack the thread on CHG, but CHB is on the same campus, they share at sixth form, and in many respects are similar. Suffice to say we've noticed the problem some are mentioning at CHG also manifesting at CHB
Son number 2 just sat the test. We put CHB first (perhaps because we felt we had to?) and we live locally to it. But he preferred Five Ways and Handsworth Grammar. In fact, he preferred Handsworth Grammar the best due to the warmth of the staff and students. And it seems likely, based on his result he'll being going to one of those schools anyhow.
Sorry to hijack the thread on CHG, but CHB is on the same campus, they share at sixth form, and in many respects are similar. Suffice to say we've noticed the problem some are mentioning at CHG also manifesting at CHB
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Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
Interesting post ajaan.
My son rejected CHB for many reasons. Even though there are many happy CHB parents on this forum, and this forum is very pro CHB, a few things which have been touched upon in your post do not surprise me, based upon my own investigations when we were making the choice for him. I find it interesting that your son's final destination (Law at a Russell group uni - well done to him ) does not take away the fact that you were unhappy with his journey getting there. Our choice was largely based upon the journey rather than the end result, but many parents don't see it that way, preferring to look solely at league tables and leavers' destinations.
All individual families have their own experiences and not all can be positive.
DD is genuinely happy at CHG, but it's early days yet. We got a different vibe from CHG on a working day compared to CHB, in the same way there was a difference between KES and KEHS. That was our experience.
I don't think clumsy wording by the head at CHG is reflected in the school. One person's words don't necessarily detract from what is apparent through years of attendance. However we shall see.
Thanks for your thoughts.
My son rejected CHB for many reasons. Even though there are many happy CHB parents on this forum, and this forum is very pro CHB, a few things which have been touched upon in your post do not surprise me, based upon my own investigations when we were making the choice for him. I find it interesting that your son's final destination (Law at a Russell group uni - well done to him ) does not take away the fact that you were unhappy with his journey getting there. Our choice was largely based upon the journey rather than the end result, but many parents don't see it that way, preferring to look solely at league tables and leavers' destinations.
All individual families have their own experiences and not all can be positive.
DD is genuinely happy at CHG, but it's early days yet. We got a different vibe from CHG on a working day compared to CHB, in the same way there was a difference between KES and KEHS. That was our experience.
I don't think clumsy wording by the head at CHG is reflected in the school. One person's words don't necessarily detract from what is apparent through years of attendance. However we shall see.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
It would be fair to point out that Five Ways children complete a lot of GCSEs. This means that they appear very high up in league tables scoring by GCSE point score, but not so high in league tables (such as The Times) that measure percentage of A*.
They do appear highly in the A level tables and would appear to send their children on to excellent university courses.
I also do sympathise a little with zuhud in wanting a green and leafy environment for children to grow up in.
My own local primary school has excellent results, but not so much as a shred of greenery - it's on a slab of concrete beside a roundabout. So I drive my children to a village school some distance away because I wanted them to have a playing field, trees to run in, and beautiful surroundings.
CH has lovely grounds but it is difficult to beat the grounds at FW ( which contain a reservoir many times bigger than my bath ) and they have boating activities.
One thing noted by their Ofsted report was their unique international links. http://www.kefw.org/International.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
By the way - it is a different comparison, but I noticed this Telegraph comparison of FW and KES. It is old (2010) but interesting.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/se ... ngham.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ultimately I think the biggest determiner of Grammar School choice - when they're all so good - is distance and ease of travel.
There is little benefit, in my view, to a child travelling for many miles and hours across the city when they could have gained a place at a Grammar closer to home.
They do appear highly in the A level tables and would appear to send their children on to excellent university courses.
I also do sympathise a little with zuhud in wanting a green and leafy environment for children to grow up in.
My own local primary school has excellent results, but not so much as a shred of greenery - it's on a slab of concrete beside a roundabout. So I drive my children to a village school some distance away because I wanted them to have a playing field, trees to run in, and beautiful surroundings.
CH has lovely grounds but it is difficult to beat the grounds at FW ( which contain a reservoir many times bigger than my bath ) and they have boating activities.
One thing noted by their Ofsted report was their unique international links. http://www.kefw.org/International.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
By the way - it is a different comparison, but I noticed this Telegraph comparison of FW and KES. It is old (2010) but interesting.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/se ... ngham.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ultimately I think the biggest determiner of Grammar School choice - when they're all so good - is distance and ease of travel.
There is little benefit, in my view, to a child travelling for many miles and hours across the city when they could have gained a place at a Grammar closer to home.
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
Yes. That's perhaps what I was trying to say. And by way of example about the vibe / warmth / teaching. My daughter didn't make grammar school, going instead to Queensbridge (Moseley). Got the same results as my son at GCSE (and is also on her way to Russell Group Law) All the top-set kids matched CHB & CHG for results (10 A* etc), which should give succour to those who have missed out this year.moseleymum wrote:I find it interesting that your son's final destination (Law at a Russell group uni - well done to him ) does not take away the fact that you were unhappy with his journey getting there. Our choice was largely based upon the journey rather than the end result, but many parents don't see it that way, preferring to look solely at league tables and leavers' destinations.
The teachers at Queensbridge we found to be energetic, inspiring, well-qualified, and dynamic, and the kids loved and respected them. No doubt CHB is a great school, but in *my* opinion based on our experience with the school, and despite our son doing very well, *generally* the teachers at the local comp were better than CHB.
Others may disagree.
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Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
ajaan wrote:Yes. That's perhaps what I was trying to say. And by way of example about the vibe / warmth / teaching. My daughter didn't make grammar school, going instead to Queensbridge (Moseley). Got the same results as my son at GCSE (and is also on her way to Russell Group Law) All the top-set kids matched CHB & CHG for results (10 A* etc), which should give succour to those who have missed out this year.moseleymum wrote:I find it interesting that your son's final destination (Law at a Russell group uni - well done to him ) does not take away the fact that you were unhappy with his journey getting there. Our choice was largely based upon the journey rather than the end result, but many parents don't see it that way, preferring to look solely at league tables and leavers' destinations.
The teachers at Queensbridge we found to be energetic, inspiring, well-qualified, and dynamic, and the kids loved and respected them. No doubt CHB is a great school, but in *my* opinion based on our experience with the school, and despite our son doing very well, *generally* the teachers at the local comp were better than CHB.
Others may disagree.
People will disagree, that's the nature of a forum such as this but I, for one, really appreciate your thoughts. It's given much needed balance especially as it's through personal experience.
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
I have two boys at CHB and they both love it, although they have very different personalities.
I guess it is a bit like marmite...
I guess it is a bit like marmite...
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
I think I will never live that comment down and for the record I have a normal sized bath in a very small bathroom!CH has lovely grounds but it is difficult to beat the grounds at FW ( which contain a reservoir many times bigger than my bath ) and they have boating activities.
Maybe I should change my name to muminbath?
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
Glad you can take a light-hearted joke
Re: camp hill girls or 5 ways?
Maybe the 'size of muminbrum's bath' will become a recognised unit of measure - a bit like a Routemaster bus!