Long Close School , Langley....

[G1234]

Anyone knows about Long Close School near Upton Park..plz reply ASAP....thanks

[Inclusionist]

I am in the area but I haven't been to visit mainly because I am put off by it being a Cognita school.

What are your other options?

[G1234]

Why ???cognita school????please elaborate

[Inclusionist]

I just don't think that schools should be for profit organisations. Goes against my principals!

I know little about the school itself. I know there are other, more established options in the area though- St George's Windsor, Upton House, St Johns Beaumont, Lambrook. What attracts you to Long Close? Is it very local?

I'm sure it's ok- have you been to visit?

[G1234]

Yes it's local....have considered bishopsgate......that seemed like too artificial.....I've been to long close...it's obviously at a much smaller scale than bishopsgate and St. John ...really dnt know wat to go for????pls suggest and explain if u know further details regarding long close..thanx

[Inclusionist]

Cognita is buying up financially failing schools across the country and making them viable/ profitable by economy of scale. That means there is an element of 'formula' at play and 'off site' management. Maybe ok, but I prefer to choose a fully autonomous school that is successful on it's own two feet.

I assume your DC is a DS if you have considered St Johns? Have you been to look at St George's if you want 'small scale'? I am sending my own DS to Lambrook- there is a bus that goes from Windsor.

[Inclusionist]

I would recommend seeing Lambrook. Open morning on March 16th bus from Riverside at 7.45am.

I don't work there BTW, I was just really impressed when we saw it!

[G1234]

Yes..I've just seen it online...looks brilliant...I'm just so confused....my DS is bright academically but he hasn't got enough interest in sports.....that's another reason I'm also considering schools at a bit smaller scale...I don't want him to get intimidated going to really posh schools....plz help wat exactly shall I look for...cos I just got an idea from bishopsgate and St. John they concentrate more on sports...
Another quest...on wat basis pvt schools offer scholarships???

[Inclusionist]

I don't think your DS will notice 'poshness' as much as you do. DH and I are both teachers but I'm quite sure DS will be fine at Lambrook.

Have you considered Dair House? Not sure how far you want to travel but that is small and seemed very friendly. It's very close to me but I didn't choose it because it isn't sporty enough for us!

[Inclusionist]

Also definitely look at St George's Windsor. Small, friendly, not overly sporty.

[difficultpickle]

St George's definitely not overly sporty, which is part of the reason ds loves it so much! They offer choral scholarships but the choristers have to do weekly boarding from about half way through year 5. Also not overly posh. No school buses though.

I've heard good reports about Bishopsgate. St John's Beaumont is super sporty and has fantastic facilities. Lambrook is lovely too and does flexi boarding.

[BlackBagFestiveBorderBinLiner]

It's actually in Slough, which is no bad thing Windsor Castle also has a SL postcode. What's wrong with the state schools round there now,

[Inclusionist]

BlackBag the local schools range from 'requiring improvement' to outstanding. The new Free school in Langley seems to be doing extremely well and be very popular. However, the OP asked about a fee paying school so I responded about that.

Fee paying schools in the area also range from ?? to outstanding. I would have questions about where on the continuum the school the OP mentioned is so was gently suggesting some I know to be closer to the outstanding end!

[BlackBagFestiveBorderBinLiner]

I went to Parlaunt Park then Langley Grammar but left the area over 20 years ago.

After Googling, Old, Old gossip - Langley Free School is in the old Wilkinson Sword HQ opposite Langley Rec where Ali G once accused David Beckham of giving Victoria a 'feel up'. Hope that does n't put anyone off.

[Inclusionist]

Doesn't seem to be putting anyone off, it's massively oversubscribed!

[difficultpickle]

I had a summer job about 30 years ago working as a receptionist at the Wilkinson Sword HQ. All I had to do was type up the daily restaurant menu and meet visitors, which were a handful each week. My first ever summer job and the easiest I ever had!

[BlackBagFestiveBorderBinLiner]

[LatinMumof2]

Don't know the area in question but would avoid Cognita schools because they are fully independent, good in some ways but also less accountable - what this means is that if you have a problem, they are not part of the Independent Schools Association, Headteachers' Association, don't have a Board of Governors etc. If you can't get things resolved internally at the school, then Cognita head office will get involved but if that doesn't sort it for you there is nowhere else to turn....

[TinaLangley]

Hello, does anyone have any opinions on St Bernards Prep and how it compares to Long Close? Thanks

[bessieb]

Have a few friends with children at St Bernards and they are very happy. Also some good reports about Long Close but also some concerns about Cognita (eg. they closed the after school Art Club because it wasn't making enough profit).
Have not heard very much good about the new free school in Langley - bit chaotic apparently and high percentage of special needs children means others can be disadvantaged.

[NSomasundar]

I moved my daughter to Long Close last November after trying out St. Bernards. St. Bernards is a very good school - no doubt - very disciplined, religious, focussed...but I felt that my child will be happier in a less rigid environment like Long Close. The reception we had when we booked our visit to Long Close was so warm & welcoming; the students are smiling all the time, which I didn't notice in St. Bernards. I can confidently say that my child is happier and looks forward to going to school every morning at Long Close. I absolutely love Long Close School and highly recommend it to any parent looking for a reliable school with strong values and focussed on the students' happiness.

[alayne00]

My son jo

[alayne00]

My son joined Long Close in September and it has been wonderful. He has become so much more confident. Because of the small class sizes he has made a wide range of friends in different year groups - the children really look after each other. I read a post about an after school art club being cancelled because it wasn't profitable, but all after school clubs at Long Close are free. The teachers are lovely and friendly. I can't rate this school more highly.

[jarikevan]

head teacher mr pavey left last year and the head office was in kaos and no one replying to emails.

[Kakinom]

Hi thinking to send my kid to long close. Is it getting better under the new head now? Looked at St. Bernard as well but can't make up my mind. Class size in LC is 12-14. In SB it's 20. Any mum's from both schools can say anything about their Year 5 and how they prep for grammar school? How is LC in compared to grammar for GCSEs?
Many thanks
Regards