Anyone with experience of Claremont in Sussex?

[Gingermilo]

Looking for some advice as am moving into the area and wondered if the school accepted children within year groups (ie Y2) or whether you needed to wait until a set point (ie Y3). Also, if anyone has any experience of how hard it is to get into from y3 if having to wait till then? I have emeiled sch to see if there is space but obviously it is summer hols so wondered if anyone had any experience. Also, and most importantly - is it good? Do your children like it?!

[killercat]

My only real experience of it is it's reputation of being a 'budget' option. My dd went to a different school a little way away but there was a family who lived near Claremont but used my dd's school.. They withdrew and sent to Claremont for three or four terms as it cost less and their business was struggling. When their business picked up, they changed schools again for all three of their children!
I was under the impression as well that Claremont run the school for profit, rather than the not-for-profit nature of most independent schools. Worth finding out? Sole owner or board of governors?
I don't live in the area anymore but there are tons of prep schools down there You practically fall over them.
My advice would be to see a few. It's what I did.
I wish I was still in the area to be honest. The schools are fab.

[Gingermilo]

Thanks Killercat, that's useful. What other ones would you recommend then in the area ? We were looking towards the Hastings/St Leonards area and was not aware of many options.

[CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables]

I have friend who has just moved to Hastings and has had 2 boys (just finished yr 6 and yr2) at Claremont for the summer term just gone.

She is very pleased with the school - finds it very friendly and down to earth and impressed with how they have got her younger boy to calm down and concentrate as they have had problems with this in the past.

Early days but so far so good.

[Gingermilo]

That's nice to know CANTOV. We have a similar issue re concentration with DD1! Could you tell me whether her ch then moved from other schs to attend there? Just wondering if there are long waiting lists etc..

[mousetours]

I have 2 children there. My eldest is desperate to get back to school. I really like the school and it's atmosphere. I particularly like the way the older kids look out for the younger ones. There have been quite a few changes this year as they are opening a senior school in sept and there has been a lot of time and effort gone into this at the possible expense of the prep school. I would expect the focus to be more balanced this year. As for new pupils, they are accepted in any year as long as there is space.

[Gingermilo]

Thanks mousetours, nice to hear about the atmosphere and the older kids looking after younger. Interesting about them opening a senior school, there must be demand for that I s'pose then. We will look round for ourselves - I see there is a couple of open days coming up, but could you tell me how selective they are with children at Y2/3? All info appreciated!

[mousetours]

No experience of the entrance exams as both of mine have gone through the nursery! I have asked my DD and she says new starters generally have a tasted day and they then have papers in maths and English. Not sure how selective they are but I think they look more for a willingness to learn and try hard more than anything else.

[CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables]

ginger - my friend moved to the area at fairly short notice due to a job move so had quite limited time to arrange new schools. Claremont had spaces for both boys immediately so I think you probably won't be faced with long waiting lists.

Her impression on looking at local schools was that there was a pretty good choice of local prep schools so long waiting lists are not the norm. Local state secondary (sorry can't remember the name!) also very good but oversubscribed. She moved after the deadline for applications for y7 but said if she had been able to get a place she would have been very happy for her older boy to go there this Sept.

[wellingtonbear1]

My child goes to Claremont Prep School in Sussex. He loves being there, we love the school too and have been treated very well. Its a vibrant, cosmopolitan place, don't listen to those who say its a budget option they don't know what they are talking about! My son went to a more expensive local prep school and hated it from the moment he got into to school until it was time to come home. In any case that school went bankrupt! Second to none I urge you to take a look. My son went from being shy and unsure of himself with little self confidence to being able to talk to anybody and even went on to secure several scholarship offers in our area, he chose to take up his Claremont offer and we are delighted and proud of his achievements. A first rate school with a first rate ofsted report. Set in beautiful grounds.

[JoETW]

I wonder if anyone can help. I am currently looking at two senior schools for my son, Claremont at Bodiam and Bedes near Hailsham - does anyone have any experience of these two schools and offer any comments please? I have visited both schools but are quite different in size etc. Thank you.

[Ohwiseone]

Hi JoETW, my son attends Claremont in Bodiam. He has been all the way through the school and we love it. He did his GCSE exams this past summer and managed 10 A* grades. He's now moved into their sixth form doing 4 A levels.
The comparison between the 2 schools is huge!
Bedes senior has over 1000 pupils whereas Claremont is about 400.
The atmosphere at Claremont is a small, family friendly school. Everybody knows you and the teachers are able to forge a real bond and understand your child, their learning style and what makes them tick.
If your son is sporty then there are many sports to try, rugby, cricket, football, hockey. They can do circuit training, fitness, swimming, water polo... You name it and they do it!
Academically I cannot fault them. There are regular assessments, huge number of subjects, lots of music and drama. DofE, young enterprise etc. They have to take part in co curricular activities too which makes them a more rounded individual (and looks good on those UCAS forms at a later date!) I know that Bedes used to do Saturday school (at least it did when we looked at seniors for when my son left the prep) no idea if this is the case still but it certainly put us off when looking at options for year 9.
My son was given the option of leaving at the end of his GCSE exams and we did apply to 3 grammar schools and 2 other independent school (both awarded him scholarships) and he chose to stay. The school really is very supportive and in small classes, if you struggle, there is help immediately and if you are g+t you are really pushed to succeed.
If you want any further help or want any specific answers to questions then please don't hesitate to ask.
Good luck

[JoETW]

Thank you so much to the kind responses I've had both on my thread and privately, I am very grateful that you have taken the time to respond. Ohwiseone, I am so pleased to hear of your son's success at Claremont. I have to say, we were very encouraged by their recent set of GCSE results and the teachers we met when we attended an open day were really very nice. For all the reasons you mention, it is very much on our shortlist. I am very keen to find a school that offers really good pastoral care and I am hoping that a small environment may help my quite shy son. Thank you for your kind response.