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Re: Thoughts on Dolphin School

That's an important point and an approach you have to believe in if you send your child to Dolphin. Dolphin doesn't "guarantee" that leavers get into certain senior schools because they just might not be the right school for your child. What Dolphin is brilliant at is getting to know each ...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Thoughts on Dolphin School
Replies: 9
by Beachboys
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:30 am

Re: Children’s Percussion Teacher

My son's teacher, Jim, is fantastic. He's taught my son since age 9 (my son's now almost 13). What I like best about him is that he's young and trendy (mid 20s) and is a great mentor as well as teacher to my son, but he's also very responsible and reliable. He comes to our house for weekly lessons. ...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Children's Percussion Teacher
Replies: 2
by Beachboys
Tue Jan 02, 2024 3:45 pm

Re: Living in Saudi Arabia

Hi, We lived in Saudi, but quite a few years ago (2009-2011) and in the Eastern Province, rather than Riyadh or Jeddah. So my experience may not be the same as what you'd get, but I'm happy to share some thoughts if you'd like to pm me. It was an interesting time, with some positives and some negati...
Forum: Childcare
Topic: Living in Saudi Arabia
Replies: 6
by Beachboys
Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:04 am

Re: Thoughts on Dolphin School

Hello, I also have three kids, two now at a London day and one still there. Dolphin has been a fantastic school for all three of them. In answer to your first question, it's both academic and creative. The ethos is very much to celebrate each child's strengths, whether that's in maths, English, scie...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Thoughts on Dolphin School
Replies: 9
by Beachboys
Fri Sep 01, 2023 10:11 am

Re: 5pm teen mugging on Balham High Road

Of the many troubling issues that these muggings raise, I think it's worth underscoring how casual these encounters look to passersby like Cinderalla said. (Except, obviously, for Westcoastmom's son -- I'm so sorry that happened to him and I hope he's okay.) My two boys, 13 and 11, were mugged on Wa...
Forum: Schools
Topic: 5pm teen mugging on Balham High Road
Replies: 21
by Beachboys
Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:35 am

Re: Prep schools with the most 'academic' reputations

We chose Dolphin School and couldn't be happier. My older two have left now to a top London day school and my youngest is still there. What I really love about their approach is the ethos that happy children will do their best in exams. I compare this to my own school experience, which was very trad...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Prep schools with the most 'academic' reputations
Replies: 21
by Beachboys
Tue Feb 07, 2023 10:58 am

Re: How to choose between two schools?

Full disclosure: Dolphin parent here. We had a similar dilemma choosing secondary schools for my eldest. He had offers from a school that's literally next door (we overlook their playing fields) and one that's a 30-minute drive down the South Circular. Both are amazing schools that we knew we were l...
Forum: Schools
Topic: How to choose between two schools?
Replies: 22
by Beachboys
Mon Jan 16, 2023 11:45 am

Re: Dolphin school for creatives?

I have two ex-Dolphin kids now at secondary school and one still there. I think Dolphin does a great job weaving creativity into the school day as the previous poster has said, with lessons as well as special events such as assemblies, plays, theme days and external competitions.   Having had a very...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Dolphin school for creatives?
Replies: 7
by Beachboys
Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:45 am

Re: Private primary school

It's true that Dolphin is a Christian school, but many families, mine included, are not Christian and that has never been an issue for us, for the school or for the school community. Despite being staunchly atheist, I chose this school for my kids because I like the values they teach and the way the...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Private primary school
Replies: 17
by Beachboys
Mon Nov 21, 2022 4:04 pm

Re: Private primary school

I mentioned my kids' school above in my earlier post -- that's Dolphin School. When I say the competition is not as overt, what I mean is that at Dolphin, it's handled in a very positive way. Kids strive to do their best but understand that it's not a zero-sum game. One of my favourite things about ...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Private primary school
Replies: 17
by Beachboys
Sat Nov 19, 2022 8:54 pm

Re: Private primary school

I feel for your daughter. I had a similar experience myself in school, way back when, and it definitely knocked my self-esteem. There are other private schools in the area where the competition isn't quite as overt as you've described, my kids' school being one. Do reach out if you'd like to chat.
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Private primary school
Replies: 17
by Beachboys
Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:46 am

Re: Down to earth private primaries

Another vote here for Dolphin. My older two boys have now gone on to a top London day secondary school and my third is still there. The school's had its ups and downs over the years, but with the new head is definitely on an upward trajectory now. The past year has been brilliant as he's brought ene...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Down to earth private primaries
Replies: 26
by Beachboys
Mon Aug 15, 2022 12:03 pm

Re: very messy husband starting to cause huge rows

I sympathise. My husband is incredibly messy and I hate disorder. To be fair to him, I knew this from the very start -- his university digs were appalling but in the flush of young love it didn't matter then! We have, as other posters have said, learnt to compromise. I refuse to pick up after him, s...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: very messy husband starting to cause huge rows
Replies: 9
by Beachboys
Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:58 am

Re: Dolphin School: The hidden jewel of the Northcote Road

I have one child at a top London senior school and two still at Dolphin. It's one of those rare places that recognises that happy, confident (but not conceited) children will achieve, whether that's academically, musically, artistically or all of the above.  The new head bring a great energy and has...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Dolphin School: The hidden jewel of the Northcote Road
Replies: 2
by Beachboys
Wed Sep 29, 2021 10:09 am

Re: is Oliver House School closing?

Do consider Dolphin School as an alternative. It's not Catholic but has a solid Christian ethos and welcomes Christian and non-Christian families alike. 

(I was raised Catholic but am no longer practising.)
Forum: Schools
Topic: is Oliver House School closing?
Replies: 9
by Beachboys
Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:37 am