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Secondary education

Does anyone know anything about Dwight School/North London International School?

14 replies

MrsSchadenfreude · 10/11/2012 19:20

Anyone's children go there? Please?

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dogdancer · 11/02/2013 08:41

My child didn't like the junior school. The teachers there are very mixed. Some are very good but others are very young and do not notice much about the child's progress. You get the feeling that they seem more interested in your fees than in ensuring your child gets a good education. In principle I like that it is an IB based curriculum but it often misses out on the rigour that the IB could give. The senior school has a good atmosphere but again, you get the feeling that they care more about getting your money!! There is not much choice in Northwest London if your child is not super bright/ super tutored or not religious. They have an excellent opportunity to make a great school because of this.... I wish that the management of the school was tighter and that they had more experienced teachers. When my child was there, she kept up with her peers from other schools and did mature nicely but.... we're happier now. There is not much in the way of extra-curricular provision either.

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mikulkin · 21/02/2013 23:28

My DS attended half of the year 5 there - I think after 2 months or so both he and I realized that if he stayed he would never get anywhere. It is a nice atmosphere there but that's about it. No homework, no proper follow-up. He is a bright boy but he got so bored that his grades went down.

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Alisue1 · 19/06/2013 11:25

Both my children attend Dwight School London and both my husband and I are extremely happy with the standard of education that they receive. My son has been there since year 2 and is now in year 8 and my daughter has been there since Kindergarten and is now in year 4. Dwight School London has a full range of extra-curricular activities and the children can choose one every day if they so wished. The homework that they are given is to reinforce what they have been learning during the day in class and I feel that the school gets this spot on with the amount that they give. For primary school they are given the homework at the end of the week and it is due the following week usually this consisits of maths, english, unit of enquiry and of course reading every night. Currently in senior school my son spends at least 1hr 30 mins on homework per evening. The opportunities that my children have had to travel has been superb and they have certainly taken advantage of it.
What we love most about the school is the community feel and how my children are known by every member of staff and that they feel safe and secure.
We are given two full written reports each year and two interim reports as well as two parent teacher consultations. However this being said if I need to speak to any of the teachers they always make time for me.
My son is quite bright and I have always felt that his work has been differentiated and that he has been working at the correct level for him, equally in turn my daughter requires some support and we have always felt that the school has catered for her.
I hope this helps anyone who may be considering Dwight School London it really is a lovely family orientated school.

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mikulkin · 29/06/2013 00:32

Well, the homework consisting of all these subjects usually was on one sheet of paper and took about 15 minutes (during the whole week) to finish for my DS when he was in Yr 5. No books, no exams, nothing at all. The atmosphere was good, that is true and all children are known by everybody in school.
The travel is extensive but it costs a lot and to be honest instead of sending children to France for a week and charging parents fortunes for that they should have changed their French teacher. During 6 months my DS brought one sheet of paper with 5 words in French to learn as homework. In the end our class rep has sent a complaint about French tuition in the school.
Their strong math class had such an easy programme, I didn't even realise my DS was in th strong math set, went to school to ask them to transfer him to strong set and discovered that was the strongest one. My DS was so bored that he actually asked to change school even though with all our moving he was not really looking forward to another change.

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burberryqueen · 29/06/2013 00:36

Alisue working for the school then?

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MrsSchadenfreude · 29/06/2013 17:41

An old thread of mine! We opted for ACS Cobham in the end. But thanks for your input. Smile

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mikulkin · 30/06/2013 01:51

Acs cobham is a good one, isn't it? Heard good feedback so far.

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Alisue1 · 11/07/2013 08:58

I am a mum first and foremost and I would never put my own children into an environment that I did not fully believe in!
The music concert at Dwight School London was superb last night what a joy to watch so many young tallented musicians.

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H4dley · 11/07/2013 14:59

My DS loved it and is way ahead of his cousins who are prepped. Looked at ACS - just too American for us

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Ails2 · 08/09/2013 19:51

I am a parent at Dwight School London, with my son originally starting secondary school at Queen Elizabeth's Boys. This wasn't for him however, and he transferred to DSL. Both myself and my husband are very happy with the standard of work and teaching at the school. The headmaster is extremely lovely and warm, with the rest of the staff being extremely friendly and approachable. Whilst the facilities are split between two sites, they are excellent, and I would highly recommend the school to any parents looking for a good secondary school which caters to all types of children; whether they need that extra bit of help or not.

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lindsay1968 · 12/10/2013 15:15

There is plenty of choice in this area Compton, Wren, Friern Barnet and Ashmole all excellent. Don't listen to the snobs who insist you have to send your child private to get the best education. Anyone who thinks you can create a good school simply by paying through the nose should visit some of the local Barnet state schools.

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Rsbl · 13/12/2015 07:14

Hi, We are considering Dwight and these posts worry me. Does anyone have any knowledge about their actual IB results?

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Ferdopolis · 21/12/2015 21:37

My four year old is going for he second year there. She's almost reading, can count to ten in French, talks to me about team work, that sharing is caring and she loves the place. She has friends from many different cultures and that helps broaden her general knowledge. Can't be happier. You can't go wrong.

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Leeloo2 · 05/01/2016 17:58

Ferdopolis - good to hear that your DD loves the school. Do you (or anyone else) know how children further up the school get on?

I was a bit worried about the bit in their ISC report that said more able children aren't always challenged and that work isn't always marked effectively. tbh the report made it sound 'good' rather than 'great'.

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