Kingswood College, Box Hill School Reviews

Kingswood College, Box Hill

School Reviews

By Parent - 11 Jun 2021, Rate: excellent

I came across these reviews by chance and given that the highest ranking results are negative felt the need to provide a counter perspective. We have two children who are completing secondary education at Kingswood, one is in their final Year (12) and the other in Year 8. I balance my response with the independent girls school at which I work - which is academically a very strong school, with a completely different model, in the golden mile of independent schools.
We have two daughters and were looking for a co-educational independent school that was conveniently located to our home. We also wanted a school where our child was known by peers and staff, so size of school was important. While Kingswood results haven't always been the strongest academically that has certainly improved greatly over recent years. If you are look for only academic results I would suggest how you measure value in a school may mean Kingswood may not be for you.
Students are known at this school, the wellbeing model means that each student in every year level is part of a wellbeing group that has around 10 students in it. They meet daily and are an extra level of wonderful support to the students throughout all years in Senior School. I do agree that if you have a child with learning needs, the LINKS program at Kingswood is strong. My daughters have each been invited into the extension programs at Kingswood called SEEK and provided many opportunities to expand beyond the curriculum. They both perform very well and are strongly supported by staff that almost universally excellent.
In the Senior School Kingswood are supporting young adults with independent skills. There is no uniform required for Years 11 and 12 and they are given a great degree of freedom, on the basis of being respectful and making good choices. Staff engage in genuine discussion with the students on issues that the view as important.
I don't agree with every aspect of the curriculum, but the school has a very strong Wellbeing focus with includes Daily Physical Activity and a sports themed uniform. Neither of these are negative but were not overly important to us when our children are already active. There is a GCP program that is running at Years 7-9 which we would like to see reviewed as the value of the program is negligible although collaborative learning skills are a large aspect of it.
Elisabeth Lenders is a strong leader, as are all members of the management group, particularly at the higher levels Mr Grant Exxon and Mr Stephen Maus.

By Employee - 22 Mar 2021, Rate: poor

more focused on their image than their students. students with special needs get a lot of attention but students without special needs get looked over

By Parent - 31 Oct 2017, Rate: bad

My opinion: We were at Kingswood for over a decade - it used to be the best school in Melbourne, but since Elisabeth Lenders became Principal it has become the absolute worst. I am told that the school now troll social media and a staff member writes all the good reviews you might read (notice that they all sound like the school wrote them!?) and they delete all bad posts. (So this one won't stay here long.)
Honestly IMO, it is very expensive for what you get, their academic results are generally poor, (they have no idea what to do with clever kids), they have a lot of special needs children, most of the senior staff have left and there are now a lot of inexperienced staff, but most importantly - bullying is covered up(!) I am not convinced that the school cares about the kids at all. I know a lot of kids that have ended up depressed and in counseling after going to Kingswood under E.Lenders. It's heartbreaking. So I can't warn people enough to not believe Kingswood's advertising and PR.
The grounds are nice but they rent out the facilities to gyms and other adult organisations so child safety is compromised, and the new car parking system is ill-thought out and an accident waiting to happen.
Being a Uniting Church school, the Council have zero power, so if you want to go over the Principal's head (and you probably will) there is no one to go to. She is the alpha and omega.
The Junior School Principal is nice - but that's about all I can say that is positive. My rating: 0/10

By Parent - 25 Jul 2014, Rate: excellent

My two boys in years 5 and 8 love this school. They have both been there a number of years now and are vocal about how much they love the school and the comparison to their last school. The school is very supportive and the teachers take great interest in every child- catering to their individual needs. The school has encouraged their creativity, intellectual development, sporting capability and social and community awareness and development. I cannot speak highly enough about the school, the teaching staff and school leadership and the community.