Current QE boys students

zorro · Post by **zorro** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:40 pm

Did your DS go to a prep school or state primary?
Which school did you go for eventually?

optomsun · Post by **optomsun** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:16 pm

In the end we let him make the choice - he has opted for John Lyon .It was the most local to us.He is at a prep school!

zorro · Post by **zorro** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:20 am

I thought it must be prep school as you said the school prepared your DS well.
Our state school wasn't involved at all!
John Lyon looks fantastic- hope he will be very happy there.

qea · Post by **qea** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:54 pm

what are yur thoughts on a hackney born child.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:19 pm

I recently finished Year 10 at QE, and thought I'd repost some information from one of my previous posts - it seems quite relevant.

QE is a great school, although I know it isn't suitable for many students. Personally, though, I think that given that your son has put the effort in and got through the exams, he would be able to adapt to school life at QE well.

There are a lot of rumours about QE flying around, most of them from people who have very little experience with the school at all. Granted, it gets good results and yes, it will push you to work hard - but it really isn't the grim exam factory that people preconceive it to be.

I think a lot of the good work ethic simply comes from the people that you get to know. At QE you'll be around like-minded friends who you can always have a laugh with, but will still be hard-working when it gets down to it, and will always be there with you if you're struggling. There's barely any bullying at all. As for the teachers? There are a couple of infamous ones who have a reputation for being strict and scary, but isn't that the way with most schools? Even Mr. Houston isn't too bad once you start progressing through the school. The vast majority of teachers are actually normal, nice people who are good at what they do. Even the PE teachers. Sometimes. Wink

Can we still be happy, rounded pupils outside of school? I think so. The workload will be quite high at times, especially when you've got projects to finish (and now, for me, coursework), but by all means there's still plenty of room to socialise and go out with friends. Also, I wouldn't say that there's too much pressure to join extra-curricular clubs. I don't remember going to too many, even in Year 7. Teachers like to see you taking an interest in other things, but it's not essential.

I hope I've helped you out. Like I said, the school is by no means for everyone, but if your son is bright and willing to put the work in, it can be a great atmosphere to be in. Idea

ummh74 · Post by **ummh74** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:14 pm

Hi Tom,

Thank you for the info you put on the thread I started.Sj355 was very helpful with the info she conveyed to me and so were you.

Since you are a student at QE boys, I wanted to ask you about the social mix of the school. What is it like? Also, is the homework as demanding as one says and are the teachers quite strict?

My son is going into Year 6 in September and I am currently preparing for the entrance exams( lots of VR and NVR practice; NFER Maths, English lessons with me) and in the family we are all very keen to help him get into this school.
As you have been for 4 years, can you tell me if you have been able to keep a social life? My son has different activities at the weekend (I am French and he goes to a French school on Saturdays) and I would like to keep this up for a long time. Do you think this will be possible? He also has other activities on Sundays.

I hope you won't mind my questions, but since you offered so kindly to provide info about QE, I am ceasing the opportunity today.

Kind regards.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:01 pm

ummh74 wrote:Hi Tom,

Thank you for the info you put on the thread I started.Sj355 was very helpful with the info she conveyed to me and so were you.

Since you are a student at QE boys, I wanted to ask you about the social mix of the school. What is it like? Also, is the homework as demanding as one says and are the teachers quite strict?

My son is going into Year 6 in September and I am currently preparing for the entrance exams( lots of VR and NVR practice; NFER Maths, English lessons with me) and in the family we are all very keen to help him get into this school.
As you have been for 4 years, can you tell me if you have been able to keep a social life? My son has different activities at the weekend (I am French and he goes to a French school on Saturdays) and I would like to keep this up for a long time. Do you think this will be possible? He also has other activities on Sundays.

I hope you won't mind my questions, but since you offered so kindly to provide info about QE, I am ceasing the opportunity today.

Kind regards.

I think it's important to remember that really, the people that go to QE are just normal people. However, they're also naturally bright and enthusiastic so it's a really good environment to learn in, at an age in which peer pressure is fairly influential.

Is the homework demanding? Well, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't tough, and certainly from comparing my own situation to my sister (who is now in Year 8 Henrietta Barnett), it seems to be significantly more than other schools from the get-go. That said, most of the homeworks are actually genuinely productive, rather than the often pointless tasks set at primary school - that should be a change. As for the teachers, I personally don't think they're too bad, they're simply good at their job (with a couple of exceptions

). I imagine QE has a fairly rigorous recruitment scheme for teachers as well as pupils!

Social life is always a bit of a contentious issue, and it'll vary between people. Given the amount of homework, it's difficult to get out every weekend, but then again I'm speaking from the perspective of a Year 10 who's now doing coursework. If you manage to stay organised and pro-active about homework, getting a large proportion of it done on the day it's set, then it should be fine. I hope all the activities work out for you!

Happy to help.

ummh74 · Post by **ummh74** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:07 am

Hi Tom,

Thanks again for your prompt response.

All the best with the coursework.

panda · Post by **panda** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:59 am

Hello,

We live in Harrow (Brent). I am trying to find some answers for QE.

1. Where does the coach pick up/drop children?
Is is Lowlands Road near HOH station or John Lyon pub?
What time does it arrive in the morning?

2. Do all QE boys in Year 7 play rugby on Saturday?
Do parents have to drop children on Saturday or is there a coach service?

Thanks.

Purple Ronny · Post by **Purple Ronny** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:54 pm

Hi Panda,

there is no pickup from John Lyon (I wish there was and my son could walk to the bus instead of being dropped off by car). There are several pick ups from Lowlands Road near HOH station between 7.20 and 7.40. There are also pickups from Kenton Lane and near Brent Town hall and other further places on the way to QE as well.

Rugby - all boys play rugby during school time. Only some boys get picked for the school teams and if they do then they have to train/play on Saturday's and some after school days. I am not aware of any coach service on Saturday. You could always car share with other local parents. There is a good active QE parents community.