Which Are The Best Schools In Tunbridge Wells?
By AGidney | Friday, September 03, 2010, 20:11
My children have been growing with excitement and bubbling
-
First day back at school
over with enthusiasm over their new book bags, pencil cases, school uniform and
brand new shiney shoes these past few days causing me to pause and consider
what high expectations we all have from our chosen schools. So much rests on these fundamental years, yet
every day we pack our kids off to educational establishments which we have very
little control over bar the state of our off spring’s uniform, shoes and the
precision with which we have followed the prescribed pencil case list.
Many of us will have diligently completed our own homework
into the suitability of the local schools and may have even chosen an area in
which to reside, based on the ‘good’ primary school, from the moment we
discovered we’d conceived! Then there are those who will have struggled with
the decision to live either near their preferred primary or their preferred
secondary school as catchment areas in Tunbridge Wells are more tightly policed
than ever before.
So once we have waved our bouncing balls of nervous
excitement off in the morning do we return home or arrive at work relieved that
we got our school of choice, frustrated that we didn’t or doubtful that any of
them are actually any good. Or have you opted out of the state system deciding
instead to follow the Independent route believing that surely any school which
sets one back a few thousand pounds a term must be worth its salt.
Whatever your preference, Tunbridge Wells has some
outstanding schools, indeed it’s why so many of us are here. The coveted
Grammar schools are part of our town’s attraction, and, many would argue, lay
claim to the crown in Tunbridge Wells’ top ten gems. But does the system work? Are our children
being educated or are they being taught to pass an exam? How can a teaching system have location so
central to its foundation? Why does the kid living on St John’s Road deserve
this much eulogized system more than the disappointed, hardworking pupil in
Langton Green?
Which schools do you think are the best in the area and why?
Below are a few to start off the discussion. I’m sure you will have plenty to
say on the subject, isn’t it what keeps the silence at bay at dinner parties
across the town!
We couldn’t kick off a debate about the top primary schools
in Tunbridge Wells without mentioning Claremont
School. Possibly the most desirable community state school in the area, it
is nestled idyllically away in the middle of the village, and is populated by
children from families inhabiting some of the most sought-after houses in
town. Run by the dynamic Richard
Sutton-Smith, his over-riding aim for the children is to ‘Let every light
shine’.
Peter’s Church of England Primary School This voluntary controlled, small,
caring and friendly school performs very respectably in the league tables and
encourages active
involvement with parents, the community and the church.
Augustine’s Catholic Primary school a voluntary aided catholic primary school has
god at the heart of its school and has 83% of the school achieving level four
in both English and Maths. One parent
comments ‘Our son has just gone back into year 2
after the summer holidays. St Augustines has a wonderful warm feel about it; everyone
is friendly and can't do enough to help. As the most
multicultural school in Tunbridge Wells it offers the balance we think is so
important in life especially in such a middle class town.
We couldn't be happier as
he is coming on leaps and bounds. The sports element is very strong at St
Augustine’s and this is perfect for a little boy full of life and potential.
Our oversubscribed secondary schools have performed
brilliantly once again in this year’s exams. Visit their sites and the DCSF
site for results.
Skinners’ School
Wells Girls Grammar
Diocesan School
Comprehensive School
School for Boys
Skinners’ Kent Academy
Which schools do your children attend? What do you think of
the Kent system? Would you like to keep the eleven plus or do you agree with so
many that it creates a two tiered system with the grammar schools skimming off
the cream of the talent? Share your thoughts with Tunbridge Wells People.
Comments
There are real problems with this picture of TWells as as educational mecca. While the primary schools are excellent if you happen to live in the right parts of town, the secondary school system here is fatally flawed. To get into a 'good' school in town, you either have to go through an exam which was considered by most of the rest of Britain to be outmoded forty years ago (and which increasingly is biased towards skills only in maths thus actually not even targeting those who are linguistically gifted) or you need to be seriously religious, or willing to pretend to be so for the required time period.. Until this is sorted out, many of the local children will continue to need to be bussed across the border to the more civilised East Sussex educational system where schools provide a good education regardless of ability, class or religion.
By stevewlb at 20:44 on 04/09/10
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