Xanauk wrote:
Dear all
I'm very undecided between Judd and Skinners. We love them both. My son has done really well in the 11+. Skinners has informed already about their cut off points for next year's entry and my son is in according to that. Judd has not published it, but looking at last year's entry, he'd be in too. We live 5 min walk from Judd so it makes sense to just try for Judd. The issue is he really likes Skinners. He likes them both but our guide at Skinners was such an amazing year 7 lad that we were all sold. We also like Judd. My boy loves sciences and the new labs in Judd are amazing. We also need good pastoral care as due to family circumstances he's need some support from his primary school and might need some in the future.
Things that worry me:
Bus journey to Skinners: I've heard that the buses from Tonbridge get really full and they sometimes do not stop. I've also been told of some unkind behaviour in the buses, especially to the younger years, by older students (maybe from other schools as it seems Skinners older look after the younger) and general public. Also the time spent in the journey could be spent doing work at home or in after school clubs). It will be a fair chunk of time after 7 years and this worries me as he grows up and homework increases).
Pastoral support. When I mentioned our circumstances to one of the Deputy Head at Skinners, he mentioned Maths clinic as support? Which is great, but I was referring to a different kind of pastoral support. Had anyone needed pastoral support from Skinners or Judd? I've heard the new Senco at Judd is amazing.
Disciple: in the open evening at Judd, I thought the new head was a bit "intense". Although my son is very academic, I also want him to enjoy the process and the love for his learning. I don't want him to be overly pressured or feel he has to achieve out of fear of being kicked out in the Sixth Form.
Bullying and how it's dealt with. I've heard that one of the schools (won't say which) has an underlying issue with bullying. Has anyone experienced this and how it had been dealt with?
Sports other than rugby. My son is more a cricket boy. Would this be a problem?
Music opportunities in both. Although he has never played music, I'm keen on him having a go at some instruments. Which offers the best opportunities? Are they extra curriculum or are they in the syllabus?
Spanish: none of them offer it. Do they have clubs they can attend?
Food. What is the quality of the food in the canteen? Variety, healthy stuff? Price?
I think that's about it. I would really appreciate your comments.
I have a son in year 9 at Skinners and I cannot rate it highly enough. Having said that his friends at Judd are equally happy.
My son is a cricketer and Skinners play more cricket than Judd. If your son is in the A team for cricket he will have one after school cricket training per week in the summer term and 2 matches per week. On of those matches will be during school time (instead of doing games) and one will be a Saturday morning. If he only makes the B team they generally have one match a week and the training session. Winter nets training starts after Christmas for anyone who wants to play. Cricket is definitely the main sport in the summer and the number 2 sport after rugby. My son doesn't like rugby so during games he plays hockey instead. He'd never played hockey before starting Skinners but they say cricketers make good hockey players as they have the hand, ball, stick, eye coordination. He now plays for the school hockey team and loves it.
I've not heard of any bullying at Skinners, of course that doesn't mean it's not happening. The closest I've heard of bullying is a boy who is socially awkward (I don't know him but sounds like he could be on the autistic spectrum). He wasn't happy in his class or making friends so he has moved into another class, he was given the choice of which class to move into. I believe he is much happier now.
Don't know anything about music or Spanish I'm afraid.
Food - Skinners have a system where different year groups go to lunch first on different days. If you are first or 2nd to lunch there is lots of choice and the food is good. On the days you are last they have often run out of the good stuff (according to my son) so he takes a packed lunch on the 2 days a week that his year group are last and 2nd to last. A main meal and pudding costs £2.30 There is a cooked meal every day, spag bol or curry or roast or burger and chips etc. They also have toasted paninis or sandwiches or jacket potatoes. Probably other stuff too, this is just the stuff I have heard my son talking about.
Feel free to ask any other questions, I'm happy to answer anything I can.