Oakwood Park Grammar School
My son starts his new school today and he is the only one not nervous. After pleasantly surprising us all (he was perfect borderline) and flying through his 11+ a year ago, and living in Kent, he was fortunate to have a choice of Grammar Schools to choose from.
Our first choice was Maidstone Grammar but this was always a long shot due to distance and also his grades came up a tad short. Second choice, which we and most importantly my son were all happy about was Oakwood Park, and sure enough that is where he got accepted.
Oakwood Park Grammar School is in a leafy part of Maidstone not far from the A26 and near Oakwood Park Hotel and it’s former grounds from when it was a private home, but now a park of the same name.
The school specialises in mathmatics and computing but I’m pleased to see sports is very important. Oakwood has the benefit of some very pretty and extensive playing fields and the school recently won the Kent Schools Football Association Under 19 White Cup at Sevenoaks Town FC. A big deal by all accounts.
There are 994 students and it’s also an all boys school, which I am happy with. I went to an all boys school as well, and it didn’t do me any harm although some of my first girlfriends might beg to differ! Nonetheless I think it helps kids to focus and maybe grow up a little less quicker, which is not a bad thing in my book. The 6th form is mixed however.
My son looks very smart in his new school uniform and house tie. Uniform and other rules, such as any electronic devices and earphones being confiscated if used in corridors, are strictly enforced.
So, his first day today starting with double maths – ooh that took me back. Followed by ICT, which for us oldies is Information and Communication Technologies.
My daughter also started at a new pre-school last Thursday, so she has had an adjustment as well. When I woke this morning I was a little anxious but very proud, and fortunately I will be able to pick my son up from his new school on Wednesday afternoon as I fly into Gatwick that morning.
Hope he does really well CA. My son started at grammar school last year (also perfect borderline 11+) and has loved it. Only problem is that my other children now feel pressured to follow in his footsteps since there’s no sibling rule.
That is a problem I hadn’t thought about. Although in Bermuda only siblings and cash guarantee you a school place.
I’ve just finished my seven years at Oakwood and have nothing but praise for it, you’ve made a fine choice! Very good teachers and relaxed atmosphere helped me achieve results I’m proud of and I’m sad I had to leave (although I am excited about moving on to university!)
That is a great endorsement – thanks Paul.
May i also wish him good luck. I also went to an all boys grammar school, in Wallington, which was the choice of my dad.
I however hated every second of it and would have been much happier at the local comprehensive.
They were glad to see the back of me after the fifth year and i left with two ‘o’ levels.
Needless to say, don’t pass this info on to your son!
My brother came off the Oakwood park grammar production line. Very Good school by all accounts sir. I used to play cricket against them and they were pretty decent at that too. If memory serves me correctly we embarrassed ourselves and got a ticking off from our teacher inthe minibus home. Good times!
My oldest granddaughter starts secondary school on Wednesday, an all girls school. Seems only yesterday that I was starting secondary school.
Wish your son all the best.
I went to a mixed comprehensive that didn’t gave a 6th form so to do A levels we all had to go to a local college.
Having been to a mixed school, I probably did more work than some of the other students in my first term at college as it wasn’t a big deal to be surrounded by girls.
Some of my new friends went wild & seemed to be permanently on heat!
Unfortunately, me and the lads I’d grown up with suddenly noticed the girls just at the point when we should have been settling down to our ‘o’ level courses.
I passed all my ‘o’ levels with grade B or C except English Language where I got an A.
I wasn’t the only one to notice I only excelled in the paper where you don’t have to revise!
I did have some life changing experienced with Hannah C, Susannah W and Jo R but looking back, perhaps my exam results could have been better if I’d not had my eye turned by a shapely ankle etc.
*** younger readers will need to know that ‘o’ levels are a bit like GCSE’s – except it was possible to fail.
😉
Best wishes to your lad CA. It’s a big step and I recall being very nervous moving up to secondary school. It sounds like a really good school with excellent sports facilities which for me as a P.E. and sports teacher is most important !
If only we could all have out schooldays again eh ? They were on the whole wonderful, amusing and pretty carefree which was probably summed up by my exam results although I caught up a bit later in life.
My son started college today too so I have an idea how you feel. My boy is severely dyslexic and has decided to learn to be a mechanic. I’m both proud and worried though I’m sure he will do fine.
I’m sure your son will be fine also. The choice of school sounds excellent and all credit to him for earning his place there.
EA – Your son sounds a very determined young man. I am sure he will thrive.
Looks like I’ve rekindled some good school memories. Actually I’m on a boys weekend this weekend all with old mates I went to school with. Memories (good and bad) will be jogged I am sure over a few pints!