Kendrick Open Evening

[aliportico]

The new(ish) head of music seems very enthusiastic.

Yes, drama on rotation each year, it's a GCSE and A level option, drama clubs, house drama (which is pieces written by the girls) - opportunity to learn about the tech side for all of these too. My dd is doing AS but won't be carrying it on to A2 as she wants to pick up Latin again as an AS and it's in the same timetable slot! She helped tech the A2 performance before Easter and the GCSE performance this week, so it's one of those things that if you want to do lots, you can. She does a lot of theatre stuff out of school as well, so she didn't do Oliver.

As for my freaks and geeks comment, lol - maybe I should worry more about Tinkers remembering stuff I say! But last year's y11 yearbook is full of comments along the lines of "I've loved Kendrick because you can be as weird as you like and no one cares", so I'll stand by it

[Flatsix]

We went last year with another couple who have a daughter at the same school as ours. Sadly none of us particularly liked it or at least thought it was a good match for our DDs.

I did think The Head's speech was well made as she clearly knows how tough the competition for places are and requested parents be realistic about their DDs chances both at gaining admission and doing well there.

Our DD did sit and pass the exam and graded well enough to be accepted but we decided against for the following reasons (which may or may not be useful for others).

1. Space seemed to be at such a premium and thus appeared to be somewhat claustrophobic.
2. Academically the school is superb and the Head we know is very well respected, however we couldn't help but think the place is bit of a hothouse.
3. Our DD does very well across all subjects (well, except French ) and we didn't get a sense the arts were held in such esteem as the sciences.
4. The huge catchment area meant it would most likely be the case she wouldn't have (m)any friends locally and we feel that is vitally important.
5. Oddly the canteen was also an issue as it was so small we asked how the kids were catered for. We were told that the girls bought food pots that were heated up and then taken away to eat outside somewhere or take back to their classroom. This contrasts with BHS which had a huge dining area, sofas in the corner and decking and grass immediately outside. This seems so much better and allows the girls to relax and socialise better, which to our mind is also very important.
6. Lastly, perhaps being over protective, we were uncomfortable putting her on a train from Maidenhead to Reading by herself (as no one else from her school sat the test).

Next September she starts at SWBGS and is very happy at the prospect, as she and four other girls from her year are going (sadly three boys are as well ).

I'm not trying to deride Kendrick here by any means, indeed it's a tremendous school as it's results clearly demonstrate, however these were the thoughts we had, accurate or otherwise, that decided us against the school. By the time we saw Kendrick we'd been at a number of other schools, both grammar and independent and felt we could make a best guess what would be best for our DD.

[aliportico]

I honestly don't think 2 and 3 are true - not saying that to argue, but I know that there is a popular perception of Kendrick being very pressured and I like to rebut it as I think that most pressure that the girls feel is from themselves. (So in my dd1's case, barely any!) And as for the arts being less valued - well, they do have to do all 3 science GCSEs. But taking out maths and science, they then have 7 more GCSEs to do - 2 English of course, an MFL, a humanity, a tech, plus 2 free choices - all very "broad and balanced" imo.

Anyway, my youngest daughter doesn't think it's the school for her either I very much believe that we largely base these decisions on gut instinct (isn't there a thing about house-buying that people generally decide in the first 10 seconds?), and then the reasons we come up with are our rational justifications for our immediate reaction. After 4 kids, I've seen quite a lot of schools now, and some places just feel right And if the rightness and the test results and the admissions process all line up, then fantastic!

[Uttara1]

Hi,
Just wonder if anybody sits for Kendrick on 13th Sep (morning) will they be allowed to attend test on CCHS (afternoon) on the same day!
Thanks in advance.
Uttara1

[aliportico]

Sorry, have no idea what CCHS is, so don't know.

In previous years you haven't been able to choose whether you do the Kendrick test in the morning or the afternoon - are they only doing one sitting this year?

[Booklady]

Sorry, have no idea what CCHS is, so don't know.

In previous years you haven't been able to choose whether you do the Kendrick test in the morning or the afternoon - are they only doing one sitting this year?

That's what we were told for this year. You can sit either in Slough (if you are also applying there) or Kendrick. But cannot select your time.

[Tinkers]

Kendrick will have two sittings as usual, but reading their admissions info, they will not allow you to ask for a particular sitting.

As for the other comments. I have to say when I went to open evenings, I thought the school was small and claustophobic too. That being said, the school houses about 700 girls (give or take). Given the numbers who actually apply, who will be there plus at least one parent, maybe siblings, and also, year 4s as well as year 5s visiting, that's a lot of people visiting on open evenings.
I've since been there on a normal day, and actually the feel is very different. DD likes it because it is a small school and not too many people.

As for being a hothouse, DD is only in year 7 and maybe it will change. She gets a lot of hw, but so do friends at other schools. I don't think she is pressured more than them.

What I do find refreshing in flatsix's post was that obviously they have made a decision to find the 'right' school for their Dd rather than what they perceive as the 'best' school, and thought about the school journey. More parents should IMHO.

We are relatively local so my DD has several friends who live in walking distance, and she knew several other girls before starting.

[Uttara1]

Hi,

Apology for not explaining what CCHS stands for! it's Chemsford County High School for girls. As they will have exam on 13th and even grammar schools in Kent will be on 13th , I wonder is there any way to sit for both Kendrick or CCHS on the same day (morning & afternoon) at all.

[Tinkers]

Even if you can choose the sittings (and you won't be able to for Kendrick) can you physically get between the two in time?

[aliportico]

Oh gosh, no wonder I didn't recognise it, I was only thinking about Berks/Bucks schools! As Tinkers says, would you be able to actually get to Essex in time? Sitting it in Slough might help a little bit, lol!

Do CCHS not have a catchment area?

And I have to ask, where do you live at the moment?