Balcarras School

I have been delighted with the progress and start my son has made at Balcarras school. The care from all teachers has been great and the teaching is exceptional. The pastoral care has been superb and I would highly recommend the school to other parents.

I am writing to inform future parents wishing to send their children to balcarras the truth about the school. I sent my first daughter to balcarras, with the impression that balcarras was the best public school, but I was wrong. From year 7 until year 11 she suffered with bullying through every school year non stop. The teachers did nothing to prevent the bullying apart from one teacher who tried his hardest but unfortunately left the school and was unsuccessful. She was told to ‘keep her head down’ and ‘stay away from them’ as a solution and she did do that but they used to go out of their way to find her and it was her fault. My daughter was jumped outside the school by a group of boys and girls and she was in her own. The teachers had no idea anything had happened even though they are supposed to be outside the gates until all pupils have left safely. The punishment they received was nothing for the boys, and one girl got suspended for a few days as they were in gcse years. My second daughter then started balcarras we were reluctant to enroll her but figured my first daughter needed someone. She had a rough time also mainly from the teachers who seemed to have a grudge against all my children just because was my daughter was bullied. She was illegally removed from the school for 2 weeks in year 11 without the head teachers approval. Finally my third daughter started balcarras she is a very shy lovely girl who has been nothing but praised throughout her primary years, she has now been there for 2 years and it seems to all be panning out the way it did with my previous daughters. My daughter has a few issues including any confrontational situations. She has a stutter which her temporary head of house made fun of her by saying ‘hmm’ between each of her stutters. When she was trying to explain her said if the current ongoing situation. Personally as you can see for yourself they say they have zero tolerance to bullying but I can assure you they don’t. Please rethink your options before sending your children here. Thanks for reading.

Genuinely worst pastoral care I have ever seen. Some amazing teachers here but was ultimately hugely let down. Suffered dreadfully with my mental health from year 8 to year 13 with very little support. They do well statistically but this is only because they put insane amounts of pressure on students, and then fail to pick them up when their mental health undoubtedly takes a hit from it. Favouritism rife here as well.

Please do not send your children to Balcarras. The extra curricular opportunities are practically non-existent, there is one sports team of 10 people in every year for each sport ( only netball, hockey and rugby) which are picked in year seven if you do not make this team in year seven there is no other opportunity to make it, music clubs are practically non-existent the orchestra has around 10 people in it and other music or sporting opportunities promised at open evening simply do not exist.
Bullying is a major problem at Balcarras and the schools usual response when this is issue is raised is “ we will talk to them” or telling the person being bullied to “ stay away” from the bullies. Drugs and drink is a major problem including the dealing of drugs on site.

Possibly the most stark issue about Balcarras is the Pastoral care. There is currently no non- teaching staff dedicated to looking after the wellbeing of students meaning in lesson time of students are struggling there is no support. Mental health is entirely ignored and there is incredibly little support regarding mental health issues.
In an area with so many grammar schools SEND YOUrCHILDREN TO GRAMMAR! my child went to grammar school sixth form and felt entirely cheated by Balcarras.