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Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 11:15 am
by RS64
Could anyone throw some light on WHSB. I was seriously thinking of putting this school down as a choice but was originally put off by the fact that it is a long way for my son to travel (from Maldon).

However, after visiting the local secondary school I do not feel that my son will fit in comfortably as he does not seem (dare i say!) "street-wise" enough and this leads me to think that he may not excel due to peer pressure. But I have also been told not to expect any better at Westcliff (& i do not mean to offend here :oops: ).

I appreciate that all schools may have this element to a certain extent but I would really appreciate some parents views of children who already attend Westcliff and see & talk to pupils on a regular basis.

I am starting to think that the distance should now be a minor consideration!

Thank you

Re: Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:08 pm
by First-timer
I don't know anything about the school, unfortunately. What I would say is that you should visit the school yourself and trust your instincts. Also, who told you that Westcliff wouldn't be any better? Someone with experience of both schools? If not, I'd be reaching for the salt. Some folk have axes to grind - just be wary of them. Good luck with whatever you have to decide.

Re: Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:38 pm
by RS64
yes, thank you for your reply. I agree with both points you raised and i do think that jealously also unfortunately plays a great role here.
I would like opinions of parents though because i think that at any school what you see on visiting is very different to everyday life, as i have found out from my local school!
THanks again :)

Re: Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:49 pm
by Fran17
I have two sons at SHSB. We looked at KEGS and WHSB and although we felt they were all excellent schools we just happened to prefer SHSB and put it as our top choice. We couldn't possibly be more pleased with the school. My sons are very different and yet it seems to suit them both for different reasons. I know there are boys that travel from Malden to SHSB.

I have a good friend whose son started at WHSB in September, he is a lovely boy and I know that he loves it and is doing very well. My friend is thrilled with it. I agree with an earlier post, trust your instincts. Don't worry about the journey to school mine travel from Billericay and love the bus journey. Grammar schools are not filled with conscientious, well-behaved little robots, all schools have their fair share of complex characters. I am sure your son will find his own circle of like-minded friends and flourish wherever he goes. Good luck!

Re: Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:32 pm
by mum of boys
My son is just coming to the end of year 7 at WHSB and we could not be more pleased with the school. He has a bus journey of about 45 mins each way, which is the social highlight of his day, so I wouldn't be too worried about that aspect.

As for the school itself, there is an expectation that the boys will work hard and do their best and my son has certainly not experienced any peer pressure to the contrary. He came from a very small primary school and is not particularly street wise either, yet he settled in brilliantly and has made some great friends. Speaking to other parents of boys in year 7, everyone seems really happy with the school and their sons, almost without exception, are thriving.

The school does expect a lot of the boys, especially with regard to homework and if they struggle with the work or are lazy, from what I have heard they are not just allowed to slip through the net but are actively helped to put things straight. I can only speak from our own experience, which is limited to year 7, but at the moment there is definitely not the attitude that it is 'un-cool' to do well. Hopefully that will continue!

Good luck to you and your son - definitely go and see the school in September and you will get a really good feel of what the school is about.

Hope this helps!

Re: Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:22 pm
by RS64
Thank you everyone for your really positive replies. I will definitely go and view the school & it is really good to hear that the bus ride does not seem a problem.
My mind has certainly been eased & this will reflect when discussing this option with my son :D

Re: Westcliff High for Boys

Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:35 pm
by moved
I have ex-pupils at WHSB and they are a mixed bunch socially, but all are thriving. The school take discipline and bullying very seriously. I also have friends with children in Sandon and they are very happy too.

The travelling depends on the child; it can be very tiring in year 7, but year 7 is tiring anyway. My DD had to take 2 trains each way initially and DS loved it, but DD was not very happy travelling.