Merton Court Preparatory School Reviews
News | Directory | ISN Rankings
Kent, DA14 4QU
Based on
36 ratings:
3 by Alumni
2 by Current Pupil
2 by Former Member of Staff
29 by Parent
(12 ratings without reviews are included in the scores)
11 reviews not shown (Why?)
Reviews
| By Parent - reviewed on 21st Mar 2008 |
This school has to be one of the very best in the South East of England. The Price family should be extremely proud of the high standards that they deliver. My daughter and son attend this school and I have to say I have never seen them so happy. The education is of an extremely high standard whilst they are able to enjoy themselves. Some reviews I have read are completely unsavory in my opinion. This school does suit all levels of pupils and will meet everyones educational needs. As for the comments about some children coming home with a 'south eastern' accent, well 'Drrrrrrrrrrr' we do live in the South East. If these people are not happy about this then I suggest they move! This school is not Eaton, I do wonder what some parents expect from the school (blood out of a stone, comes to mind). I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is looking at this review page. The best school in the past and even a better school for the future.
| By Parent - reviewed on 9th Mar 2008 |
Get real, parents of Sidcup! What the hell do you want? You pay for Merton Court because you want a grammar school! So if you want your precious darling child to achieve that then stop moaning and get on with it! Believe you me, most of the children at Merton Court would not achieve the results they without the dedication of the current staff!
| By Parent - reviewed on 9th Mar 2008 |
Merton Court is an exceptional school! There are many parent in the school who see no wrong in their child! Believe me, every child is precious! However, it fills a niche in the area emphasising the selective schools ethos and trying hard to promote that! Believe me, many children in Merton Court would not pass an 11+ exam without the dedication of the staff, particularly in years 5 & 6! At the end of the day, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!!!! And believe me, there are many sows' ears at Merton Court! As for all the previous comment about homework - what the hell do parents want? If you come to Merton Court you want a grammar school place! So get on with it!! It's a great place!
| By Parent - reviewed on 3rd Mar 2008 |
This is not the school to send your child to if you want them to enjoy school and have what is considered to be a normal childhood. The children are put under immense pressure to achieve the schools desired results. The Price family are only interested in measurable results ie academic passes. They care little for the well being of the child and no effort is made to help build a child's confidence. In fact this school achieves highly in diminishing a quiet child's confidence! The amount of favouritism shown to particular children is unbelievable, and in fact the same children get chosen every time for school tasks or plays. You are indeed lucky if your child is the favoured child and they will have an enjoyable time at Merton Court but it must be remembered there are usually another 39 children who will not enjoy this luxury!! The lack of sensitivity shown to the less able children is renown and little patience or guidance is offered. In fact comments made by the teachers would not be permitted in a state school.
Years 5 and 6 are horrendous not just for the children but for the parents as the constant barrage of homework put both parties under constant stress. The amount of homework compared to other good state schools in the area is ridiculous!!!!! Particularly as many of these children in state schools achieve the lusted after selective school place, without spending two-three hours every night with their heads stuck in school books.
If more school work was actually covered in school time rather than extra curricular activities that outwardly show the school in a good light perhaps homework would be a different issue.
If I could turn the clock back I certainly would not have chosen this school I would have opted for a tutor in years 5+6 and let my child had an enjoyable pressure free childhood. If you are considering this school please do read the barrage of comments that reflect this view and take on board your child may achieve an 11+ plus but at what expense not just financially to you but at their loss of carefree childhood days!!!
This is certainly not a school that I would recommend as it is more interested in profit and public profile than the child itself. Look elsewhere!!
| By Alumni (2005) - reviewed on 23rd Feb 2008 |
I went to this school and although it got me into a good grammar school I do not remember it being a happy time. I remember the crying and frustration of not being able to complete the homework and the fear of what would happen to me the next day at the hands of a rather nasty teacher..my fingernails used to be chewed right down! I did however make some brilliant and lovely friends here some of whom I see to this day..if you wish to get into a grammar then send your child here but remember it is at a cost to their childhood.
| By Parent - reviewed on 22nd Feb 2008 |
As a past and present parent I think that standards and attitudes have been slowly slipping (it's a shame the fees have not). What was once a school that a child enjoyed attending is now becoming one that they dread. Young children are roughly pulled around by one teacher in particular, something that would not be acceptable in any other school. There is also the way children are spoken too, or should I say shouted at. Name-calling is not just something that is done by the children; some teachers feel the need to join in. The high turnaround of staff in the last few years is not something the school can be proud of and is something that new parents should be able to question. Sadly the attitude of the Price family in recent years seems to be that the school is just a money making business and not a school that now believes the children come first. I can honestly say that I would not now send my children to Merton Court.
| By Parent - reviewed on 22nd Feb 2008 |
What I can say is that hindsight is a great thing. If I knew what years 5 & 6 were going to be like, how destructive the teachers would be to my childs confidence and self belief, I would NOT have sent my child here.
For most of the time, my child has enjoyed schooling.
I object to how some children are allowed to remain in the school when we know for sure if they were in a state school would have been removed for causing disruption in lessons.
Also as parents if we wish to have a moan wea re more or les met with if you dont like it you know where the door is attitude. And if you are brave enough to say something to a teacher in defense of your child then more often that not in class the follwoing day your child will be stood up and humiliated in front of the whole class, this really is not acceptable and wouldn't be tolerated again in a state school.
I would have to agree with most of the comments already made, especially the one about parents becoming neurotic!! we are on edge the whole time, wondering if your child is able to cope with the amount of homework, are they being picked on in class (by the teacher!!)
The crying and hysterics by the child if they do not understand the homework or have forgotten an exercise book, as the following morning even if they have done the homework on a separate piece of paper, the punishment is set and there is no flexibility on that...
If they leave the classroom and meet you in the playground and realise they have left something in the classroom and go back to get it, and are seen they then also get a homework warning!! but they have gone back and have also done the homework, I do not see the sense in this at all..
Please read these comment, we are not bitter and twisted parents who's children have been left by the way side, with behavioral or learning disabilities we just want our children to enjoy primary school.
| By Parent - reviewed on 31st Jan 2008 |
Merton Court provides excellent preparation for secondary school and life in general. Pupils gain levels of skill, confidence, discipline and knowledge well above the average. Sending our daughter here is a decision we are proud of.
| By Current Pupil - reviewed on 15th Jan 2008 |
it is very good school because it have very good sport and it have a verry good swimming pool. the teacher is very good they don't really shout. every year six people go to spain in year six. school dinner is very nice you get to have second when you feel like more food. the school team play agains lot of school e.g. Eltham collenge.
| By Parent - reviewed on 13th Jan 2008 |
I have 2 children at Merton Court and I would agree with some of the previous comments regarding the school that it only works for confident children. Your child will only get recognised if they are confident regardless of academic ability. If your Child is quiet and well behaved then they will be overlooked.
| By Parent - reviewed on 10th Jan 2008 |
Merton Court is run by the Price family under their terms and conditions. If you are not willing to abide by these rules do not send your child here. Parental opinion is not always welcome.
Academic pressure is high especially in Year 5 & 6 with emphasis on progression to independent secondary schools. This was not an option for us but fortunately our child was bright and had no trouble in securing a place at Grammar School. I do think there is an element of favouritism within the school.
Homework is intense - every night and has to be given in next morning. Homework is also set during school holidays. The never ending homework caused many tears in our house!!
Merton Court follows traditional values and celebrate Harvest, Remembrance Day & Christmas
in a traditional way.
Sporting opportunities are excellent. My child thrived on the sports at Merton Court. It is a pity that the children cannot use the pool more regularly.
Be aware that school dinners are compulsory - if you have a fussy eater this may not suit.
Our child loved their time at Merton Court. If your child is confident they will thrive. I would think carefully though if your child is not so outgoing.
| By Parent - reviewed on 9th Jan 2008 |
We share many of the opinions of previous reviewers on this site, in that we are very disappointed with the standards of both teaching and communication between staff and parents. One point we do disagree with is that the school focuses on the talented or academically bright. We, alongside other parents, feel that as our children are reasonably bright, they have been put on the back burner while the children who are struggling get the support they need. We believe this is in order to maximise the numbers of children passing the 11+. If they think your child will pass, there is no effort put into their education and they are left without challenge or improvement.
With good state schools around the area, money would be better spent on extra curricular activities and then tutoring in years 5 and 6 for the 11+. Parents with children as young as 5 are having their children tutored in order to keep them at the top of the class and this should not be necessary. Pastoral care is abysmal, primarily due to the lack of compassion and understanding of the staff that make decisions toward the children Yes, there are favourites and once you're the blue eyed boy or girl you are made. The school mums go through waves of neuroticism as some parents seem to find things out, for instance tests that are being taken, and other parents don't. School reports and parents evenings provide vague information about your child and one comes away none-the-wiser.
| By Parent - reviewed on 26th Nov 2007 |
Like other reviews the pastoral care is good and academic achievement appears high. However there is a failure to mention the excessive amount of homework given to children. One and a half to two hours per night is given regularly to children in years 5+6. All homework has to be given in the following day and consequently leaves the children little time to pursue outside activities. In my opinion this does nothing to achieve the guiding principle quoted to me on choosing the school "that they produce a well rounded child and find something they are good at and work on it!".
In my experience much more emphasis has been placed on academic results in recent years. This has culminated in the fantastic sporting facilities being hugely under utilised - a facility which the school highlight in their newly published prospectus and make great reference to when prospective parents visit the school. Encouragement and help is very forthcoming to the more able pupils of the school by this I mean the top 4-5 pupils in the year but very little to those who are not going to provide the school with the required "super selective school" places or scholarships to "premier" private schools. Great emphasis is placed on English and Maths consequently culminating in those boys taking the "St Olaves" test to have a distinctive advantage over the girls sitting the Newstead Woods Test which consists of Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Perhaps the school will have a change of heart when the new Bexley test is introduced in 2008 which consists of only VR and NVR. I would ask the question Is the emphasis on Maths and English to boost the EKSA results which is the guideline all schools are judged on? The school tends to forget that we are paying for a service which means tutorage for all entrance exams not just the Bexley 11+ and St Olaves.
Due to waiting lists for entry into most year groups the view reflected from the owners of the school is "that we are privileged to have the opportunity to send our children to Merton Court and they be allowed to stay there" rather than we are paying customers and expect a certain level of service!
It appears academia is the thing that counts at Merton Court now with little regard for any other qualities children can offer.
I may sound like a disgruntled parent but I will add that my child is extremely happy at Merton Court, but presumably may well have been as happy at another school! I as a parent if choosing again would never choose this school as favouritism is rife and blatantly obvious!!!!
If you are intent on the independent sector for your child look elsewhere. If you have a good state primary school nearby - send your child there and book a tutor for Year 5+6. These will provide more help and be more effective than Merton Court. I know I have spent hours with my child on practice papers - something I expect to do within reason - but not to extreme considering I pay almost £8,000 per year in school fees!!!
There must be a better independent school in the area!!!!
| By Parent - reviewed on 21st Sep 2007 |
I have been looking into this school for ages, since i was little wishing i had the opportunity to go there. Unluckily i didn't but my daughter can. She loves
it there and says the children are amazing and really kind
| By Alumni (2006) - reviewed on 1st Aug 2007 |
as a past pupil of Merton Court school i can say that the subjects and rules and regulations have helped me a lot to carry on in my education.
| By Parent - reviewed on 8th May 2007 |
I have spent many a happy year at MC as a parent and have delighted with the results. Most of the parents sending their child to MC want an 11+ place at a local grammar school and Merton Court is excellent at providing that. The teachers, particularly in years 5 and 6 are truly dedicated to tht cause and give parents plenty of help and support in their quest for a "good" school. Long may they continue this great work.
| By Parent - reviewed on 19th Apr 2007 |
My daughter is doing well at the school but increases in term fees have been well above inflation and I agree with comments that many of the children suffer from poor pronunciation, which is different from having a regional dialect. I was recently disappointed that one of the veteran teaching staff which taught my daughter and did an excellent job was uncerem
