Haileybury vs Bishop stortford college

[nsjain]

Hi,

My son has been offered a place in both the schools. Just wanted to check if anybody has experience of these schools and if you have to choose one, which one would you go for.

Thanks

[Jeelba]

Is this for 11+ entry? We are still waiting for the results of the pre-test for 13+ entry at Haileybury, which were sat at the same time and results supposed to be here 'by the 12th'. Did you get an email? Thanks!

[nsjain]

Hi Jeelba, Yes. this was for 11+. We got results in the post yesterday.

[Jeelba]

Ah - thank you. We'll have to hope someone answers the phone on Monday.

We are very impressed by the school (for boarding).

[yallopr]

We had the same two offers for my son yesterday 11+ -so I thought I would say Hi!

[Jeelba]

Hi! Well, I wonder where out letter has got to?

[Jeelba]

Our!

[nsjain]

Hi Yallopr, Do you have any preference with respect to school or location? I am really confused. Both schools are good. One involves house move and other one doesn't. Where u based? (hope you don't mind sharing).

[yallopr]

Hi near Tewin - so can relate.

[yallopr]

Dear nsjain,

Hope you are further with your choice, we have some serious thinking to do practicalities etc etc

[Lollipop35]

Both DC attended BSC from age 10. DD is now at uni, DS is currently doing A levels and flexiboards. He is really happy there and would board FT if allowed (sadly not affordable). Boarding seems really popular amongst the boys in the senior school and most of his friends flexiboard even if they live near the school. There is a good balance of uk and overseas students - I gather that this is not the case in all schools.

Teaching is generally excellent and the pastoral care is good. DS and his friends have offers from a good range of unis. There are loads of extra-curricular opportunities plus particularly strong music and drama departments. He is very dismissive of Haileybury

[Jeelba]

What aspects of Haileybury is he particularly dismissive of?

[Lollipop35]

TBH I suspect it's just inter school rivalry - they play against them at rugby and cricket. In DC's opinion, BSC is the more academic school. I don't know anything about Haileybury as it is too far from us to have been an option also probably outside of my budget from what I hear.

[Jeelba]

Ah yes! I think the academics at Haileybury are improving rapidly - but it's certainly expensive for day pupils...

[nsjain]

I have heard other way round i.e. Haileybury being more academic than BSC. We are still confused. haileybury is definitely more expensive, but does have better facilities than BSC. It would be really difficult to pick one.

[Jeelba]

I don't know BSC, but the all round experience at Haileybury looks to us second-to-none...
Best wishes for your decision making!

[yallopr]

BSC is more academic than Haileybury and more science focused, Haileybury more sports focused in my opinion. Both are great schools so comes down to cost location and whats best for your child.

[Jeelba]

Finally heard from Haileybury after a mix up in communications. Place offered for year 9, 2018. Very pleased! Have you made your choice?

[Pollymum]

Help, I have the same dilemma and am finding it so difficult to decide between BSC and Haileybury for my daughter (Y7 entry). She is very sporty and the consensus among friends seems to be that Haileybury is the more sporty school. However I wonder if this is more for boys, their netball results don't look that good. DD is also very academic so I just dont know which way to go. I must say that the head of the junior school at BSC seemed really lovely though. Does anyone have experience of girls sport at BSC?Any thoughts would be very gratefully received!

[nsjain]

We have decided to go for Haileybury..Anybody here planning to send their kids to haileybury???

[Jeelba]

Yes - but for boarding in Year 9 in September 2018. Might 'catch up' with your DC then though! We are very happy with the offer of a place and think it will suit a musical, rather intellectual, quite sporty all-rounder (boy) very well. Congratulations to your DC!