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Secondary education

Lingfield Notre Dame School

24 replies

educprof · 22/01/2014 22:54

Anyone got any views on the senior school?

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LIZS · 23/01/2014 08:12

Know several who joined a few years back who were happy with it but I know the head has been making some unpopular changes and staff have left (although that is often the case when a new person comes in, especially if predecessor has been there a while). Not regarded locally as hugely academically selective but academic children are catered for.

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educprof · 23/01/2014 10:03

What is it like for music provision? How well would it deal with a child who is academically extremely able, relatively musical, but has virtually no ability in sport or art (or other more practical skills, besides writing and musical instrument playing) and whose self esteem is helped by being in a class where he is the brightest, to make up for being the least able physically?

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Sheldonswhiteboard · 23/01/2014 10:46

Going by their a level and GSCE results I would say that they cater for the more academic child. I know 2 boys there, neither of whom could be described as sporty and they seem happy. I'm not sure what musical provision is like. Their fees look very competitive though!

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gremlindolphin · 23/01/2014 12:18

We have a dd there, absolutely loves it and is thriving. We are very happy with it. They work them hard, she is academically able, arty, works hard at piano and not particularly into sport. Music department is good, lots of bands, groups etc and new music Director who is very enthusiastic.

Does that help? Go and have a look round, we just felt it was the right school for dd as soon as we got there. There is an entrance exam.

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educprof · 23/01/2014 14:15

Thanks for the feedback, that's really helpful. Just wanted some reassurance, as the website talks a lot about sport as a separate thing, but only really refers to music in "extra-curricular."

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Beentherex3 · 02/04/2014 20:15

Insider info: Many very experienced staff left after poor treatment by new Head. Also some young ones moved on rapidly. He undervalued both experience and qualifications. Atmosphere was
terrible and morale low amongst staff. Hopefully it has now improved.

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Beentherex3 · 02/04/2014 20:17

Insider info: Many very experienced staff left after poor treatment by new Head. Also some young ones moved on rapidly. He undervalued both experience and qualifications. Atmosphere was
terrible and morale low amongst staff. Hopefully it has now improved. many staff did not leave through choice.

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UndercoverMaverick · 21/04/2014 21:19

I'm not a Mum, but thought you might like the opinion of someone who recently graduated from the school. If you have a child with something like depression or social anxiety they will NOT be catered for, the school didn't have any help in this area. They sent me to the learning support teacher. Whilst she was lovely, this didn't really help me. Most of the teachers were unsupportive of my future career choices, which led me to (now regrettably) change them. I wouldn't recommend this school as the few brilliant teachers I had have either left/will leave in the next year or so. The new head wasn't as attentive as he should have been when he arrived, and seems to treat the school like a business rather than a family (as the previous headmistress did, she knew ALL of her students by name, and new everyones parents).

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lovelymammy40 · 30/04/2014 11:23

I have a couple of friends, one teaches and one has children there and whilst there was a lot of change, most are for the good. I understand the Head had to remove teachers who weren't up to scratch and the teachers most disgruntled are no longer there.

Educprof - the new music director is very enthusiastic and has doubled the number of groups, and volume in the choir, orchestra and has introduced a chamber choir, so from what I can gather that is very much on the up too!

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Brontegirl2000 · 04/06/2014 10:53

I've had my children at the school (both junior and senior) for several years and we are really happy with it. The new Head has made some changes which are sometimes not popular with everyone, but that sort of what happens when someone new steps into a role. I agree with lovelymammy40 - the music is now fantastic in both the junior and senior school!

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Beentherex3 · 17/08/2014 13:26

Look at this year's results. Interesting.

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indigo18 · 19/08/2014 14:19

Beentherex3 have looked at school website; where can i see detailed results?

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chaka0123 · 29/08/2014 07:33

Indigo 18, I can't see this year exam results either - did you find them?!

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chaka0123 · 29/08/2014 07:34

Indigo18, I can't see this year's exam results either - did you find them?!

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alwaystired100 · 31/08/2014 10:42

We've been looking at lots of schools in the area and found the results on the website in the news items section. They seem to be quite good. We thought this school was less academic than others but they look to be comparable.

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greenthumb10 · 31/08/2014 10:55

Just reading some of the above posts and can only say that my DD who is starting in the lower sixth this year was blown away after viewing the new sixth form centre on Friday. Can't believe I have a DD excited about going back to school. Long may it continue.......

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educprof · 18/10/2014 10:13

Any more views? What was interesting about the exam results - they look similar to previous years? Has morale improved amongst the staff, this year?

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365sleeps · 23/10/2014 10:27

We went to their open day recently and the Head delivered a good speech and answer questions. The school seemed to have a happy vibe about it. Teachers were happy to talk about their subjects so we didn't feel any negativity. Not sure whether this helps!

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Fred2541 · 27/10/2014 08:09

My child was at this school for many years & was very happy there. Most of these years were under the excellent previous headmistress. However, beware that since the new head arrived they are only interested in the highest achieving pupils. Unfortunately the best teachers all left soon after the arrival of the new head. If your child is average academically or is aiming for employment rather than University when they leave, the school has no interest in them. I feel sorry for parents in this area who simply want their child to go to a nice school, the state schools are poor & LND only want the high achievers. V difficult.

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greenthumb10 · 28/10/2014 08:49

Fred2541 - so sorry to hear about your experiences at Lingfield. My dd is in the lower sixth and is getting amazing support from her teachers. They are really taking an interest in her and what she wants to study in the upper sixth and beyond. She is bright enough but won't be a rocket scientist! The school seems to have a new breed of young staff members who treat the children like young adults rather than school children. I couldn't be happier with the school. Long may it last!

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Goldie21 · 15/11/2014 08:37

I would like to agree with UndercoverMaverick. I have just been forced to withdraw my child from school by the Headmaster. My child is very bright but has anxiety issues. The senior staff were unable/unwilling to work with my child despite assurances otherwise on entering the school. On a positive note, the class teachers and tutor were all very good and supportive. Be very wary if choosing this school for a child with any known issues.

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Totallyalwaysup · 18/11/2014 17:29

Goldie21 - that doesn't seem to be very fair on your child. Can't imagine trying to find another school now once the year has started. Poor you!

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alwaystired100 · 17/12/2014 10:25

This school must be doing something right. My friend who has a ds at the school just received the Head's end of term letter saying that they have had a record number of applications for entry and scholarships in January. Getting a bit worried about my own child's chances of getting in now. Lots of study to be done over the holidays I think!

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Magician10 · 05/10/2015 14:35

Lingfield Notre Dame Senior School has quite a broad range of ability but all students seem to obtain amazing results without too much pressure being put on them. I can only think this is due to very committed teachers who care about all the pupils. The Senior School Music Department has an excellent Director of Music who 'gets' teenagers.

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