LOL
That's true. I'm just annoyed they don't give feedback and they had a sloppy exam process, they messed up in 2020 too. Thinking ahead for second child I won't bother. Yes I would take the school at 10 plus if you want avoid the 11 plus which is not a nice experience but people do have choices and some children do work away at the 11 plus and other offers materialise as well as good state options.
I genuinely don't know what the school wants and I was actually puzzled after open day. Also puzzled when people says it's too academic now or it's not as nurturing as it used Seems strong for drama and kids we know were into that and probably well catered to, the rest I really don't know. Its very popular and I don't know really why. Lots of schools give detailed feedback if you don't get an offer. Many excellent independent schools are able to cater to SEN and emotional difficulties and Emanuel ought to really given how much money they take in fees.
Should they really force out a child who develops mental health issues? Sounds like an arrogant school in many ways.
Thanks for following my posts though

There is another post on here right now where one year ago you were raving about Emanuel. I quote:

My daughter did not get an offer from Emanuel at 11 plus but did at several others higher up the league. The school is incredibly popular now and can be very choosy about who they accept. If you have a 10 plus offer, I would take it as the competition at 11 plus is enormous especially as it's a coed which still has a sibling policy provided the sibling passes. I think it's a great school.

Seems you’ve changed your mind quite a lot on this subject then??

That's truly appalling. I hope things improve quickly for you and you get the support you need to get through it.

Emanuel ought to give feedback to each and every applicant who applies and parents spend £155 for rhe exam fees like all other schools do and some are considered "top tier". I'm genuinely puzzled by this school and it's appeal. Sure there are happy families there and people apply in droves but I have no idea what they offer children. Head says he's not interested in turning the school into an academic one and yet manages out students who struggle like a badly run state school? No thanks.

I was a student there until they kicked me out due to mental health reason and ASC as they felt “unable to support me” even though my parents were paying the full fee, I’ve now missed nearly 2 terms of year ten only now getting a school due to managing to get an EHCP which they apparently didn’t help with and the other SEN were shocked by how bad they were

I've two children at Emanuel and have been very disappointed by the pastoral care.   The education is undoubtably fantastic however they lack the proper infrastructure to support teenagers in such a pressurised environment.  Paired with the modern stresses and strains of teenage life and post Covid we've found their provision lacking.  There are undoubtably some fantastic and caring teachers, however we've equally found many who weren't supportive.  Sadly I fear they're more focused on their exam results and how maintain them than the children.

Stories I've heard from friends with children at Alleyns, Clapham & Streatham and Dulwich College all tell a very different story, each will amazing stories of support and SEN provision.

@Mum163 I have 2 kids there, one of whom has really struggled with mental health issues including anxiety and have found the pastoral care to be great. They have been really caring, communicative and supportive. Don't want to go into it too much on here but feel free to message me if you want to know more. The Head of Year 7 is an absolute star and the Head of Lower School also really helped and there is additional support from the school counsellors if needed. That support has continued up the school and I am very grateful for it. 

I have 2 daughters at Emanuel - both are flourishing. I would agree that SEN provision is not a strong point although it has improved massively in the last 2 years. However, in my experience the pastoral care has been excellent. One of my daughters has developed anxiety and OCD - the school councillors (there are 3) were great in the first instance in recognising and treating the issue and also in referring us to more specialist help. My child's teachers have been so understanding and sensitive to her needs and things are getting better. That said, Emanuel is a big, fairly boistrous school with alot going on. It's super friendly, the kids are confident and outgoing and I think you need a certain amount of self-confidence going into that. It's also become increasingly academic - there's alot of testing in the lower school. But all of that possibly applies to many of the london day schools. I don't know if you've applied to schools like Sydenham High but they have a very good track record with girls who need a bit more support and a slightly gentler school experience.

@mum163 Your daughter is about to experience a big change in her life and if she is already anxious, it's important that the school she goes to is able to recognise this and can support her appropriately and proactively. From what others have said, it doesn't sound as if Emanuel is that school.  The last thing you want is for your daughter to feel she is on her own dealing with the feelings and emotions she is experiencing while at school.  You should ask the school what access she will have to counsellors, emotional support and other one-to-one support to get her to the point where she feels confident and comfortable at her new school.  Do they run primary-secondary transition groups during Year 7 for shy/anxious children?  Do they have small group learning in Year 7 for the less confident children?  Do they have a space that she can withdraw to when things feel overwhelming?  If they can't provide this you should look for a more nurturing environment, which may not be in the private sector.

Doesn’t sound like it from above! Sounds like a school to avoid at all costs. If they treat SEN that badly then it’s most likely a broader theme of ignorance across the whole school.

Can anyone give advice on the pastoral care at Emanuel School? My daughter has been offered a place for Year 7, but she is quite shy and had some issues with ‘school reluctance’ last year. She is very anxious about going to secondary school and I am wondering if this is the best school to give her support and build her confidence.

Thank you.

I actually spoke to Emanuel about their SEN provision. It was shocking. I specifically asked if any of their students had an EHCP and the response was “we had one of those once, and it wasn’t without it’s problems”.

I was so shocked that a person who is supposed to be supporting SEN actually said this about a child.

It was a categorical no from me at that point.

Terrible

I really hope they done have the trust status...? No school discriminting against SEN should be allowed to be a trust...

Hi All,

I am Emanuel mum, not posting under my usual address, it's a great school in many aspects with strong academics, sports, music, clubs and outreach, it's fast paced, hard working and ambitious, also friendly and my child has some excellent inspiring teachers and made great friendships.
However, I have to agree that their position on SEN/Learning Support is very disappointing, outdated in its knowledge and practice and not at all inclusive, school policies are ancient and not protective of the children, I would even say dismissive.
For everything that is said around mental health, the Learning Support is a let down, and as a school there is definitely a barrier on entrance to SEN, that I know from experience other schools do not put out.

I was really surprised, as I thought schools in major cities were now catching up ND/SEN.

From what I have seen, the boys' schools generally provide better support to SEN and others.

I had 2 kids do the entrance there and asked for feedback for both after the offers went out. One kid was offered a place at 10+ and they shared an overview of which papers they performed best/worst in but not specific marks. For 11+ last year (didn't get an offer initially) they gave their specific marks for each paper. The grade boundaries change year on year so knowing how your kid scored ahead of offers day probably isn't that helpful. Hope all goes well!

The year my daughter sat the exam, they massively messed up one of the papers, it wasn’t photocopied properly so they had to stop the children, move on to another paper and come back to the paper they’d messed up once they’d photocopied another batch. Total shambles, I understand mistakes are made but it should have been checked.

Luckily it didn’t phase her but I can imagine for many kids it would have been very stressful. She got a place but it wasn’t our top choice- interestingly the year she sat I know a good 10-15 families who turned it down.