St.edmunds college, ware

[Tabitha007]

Hi

Our son currently attends a small private school in Essex. He is an above average student though not at the top of the class. However we feel that the school is allowing him to cruise. As such we are thinking of applying for St Edmunds College in Ware or Bishops Stortford College. Does anyone have any knowledge of these schools. We don't want to make another mistake and waste more money as we feel is the case with his current school. Your comments would be welcome

[barrackobana]

St Edmunds is a lovely school, but Bishops stortford College has the best academics out of the three indies in the area, that includes Haileybury College in Hertford. Barring no other issues personally I would choose Bishops story ford.

[Tabitha007]

Barrackobana thank you for your message. Our DS prefers Saint Eds. He gained a place at BSC but did not want to go. Hence our sending him to his current school. However I have heard that St Eds does not do well academically and that anyone can get in. Is this true?

[barrackobana]

I wouldn't say St Eds dont do well academically. It is a good school, with reasonable academics (32% gained A*/A at recent A'levels). I've never heard of anyone not getting in except one who applied late and there was no space. They have a waiting list. It depends on how academic your ds is and what sort of academic environment you are looking for. Have you looked at Haileybury?

[HolidayPackingIsHardWork]

Where in Essex are you? Could you also consider Chigwell, Forest or Bancrofts? St Edmund's has a reputation for being less academic than these schools. (The pecking order academically would be: Bancrofts, Chigwell, Forest, St Edmunds.) Though, St Eds does have an excellent reputation for pastoral care. And, if being a more nurturing environment, allows your ds to be one of 32% who gain As or A*s, then it is the right school for him as an individual.

[fairywoods]

I think it depends on how motivated your DS is and his personality. St Edmund's is a lovely school and my DS is very happy there. They take a real mix of abilities and it's a very friendly school. It's a very good school for encouraging and bringing out personal talents, be that academic, artistic, musical or sporting. If your DS is academically able and motivated he will achieve there. My DS has just achieved a really good set of GCSEs, mainly A*/A including A for English and he's dyslexic. St Eds is less academically selective than Bishops Stortford and if you want more of a competitive environment BSC may be the way to go, if your DS would thrive under pressure. I would say think of your son's personality and happiness, if he gained a place at BSC and didn't want to go there, that would sound alarm bells to me.

You mentioned too that you feel your current school allows him to cruise. There is only so much any teacher/school can do to encourage students to achieve. At the end of the day students need self motivation, as well as good teachers. I say this out of experience, my children are all very different, some much more motivated and academically focused than others!

[Tabitha007]

Thank you all for your thoughts. We live in bishops Stortford 5 minutes from the college. Hence my desire for DS to go there. Presently we have to drive our son to school as there is no public or school transport.

That said Ds has no desire to go to BSC and yes you are right that that should ring alarm bells.

So have decided to look at St. Eds. my son would have to take the school bus which is offered. Is the journey long and the service efficient?

Have considered Hailbury but too far for DS plus it's mostly boarding with a few day students. Felsted also too far and very expensive.

[fairywoods]

The school bus service is very efficient, never had a problem and friendly drivers. Even when a road was closed they took a different route and got the kids home fine. Just looked at this year's timetable and morning bus leaves 7.50am from Bishops Stortford Sainsbury's (there are other stops) & arrives 8.40am. In the afternoon it leaves school at 4.40pm & arrives Sainsbury's 5.10pm. It would be lovely to have a 5 minute route to school though!

Has he said why he doesn't like BSC? If it's because he can feel the pressure/competition, maybe he would be more comfortable and happier in a school where he would be in top sets with less pressure? A competitive environment can work sometimes, but if he's doing his best, pressure can make them feel a failure.

I know it's a massive decision to make and every school has different good/bad points. Good luck!

[fairywoods]

Just had another look a timetable and bus leaves from Bishops Stortford Rugby Club at 8.10am and gets back there 4.55pm if that's handier for you.

[honeysucklejasmine]

I have experience with St Eds and would strongly recommend. Outstanding extra curricula activities and enthusiastic staff. I remember it very fondly! The house system really fosters community and gets everyone involved in all sorts!

[Tabitha007]

Fairy woods: many thanks for passing on bus timetable. It makes the school more favourable.

My son is a very able student but I have a few issues with his current school. Firstly they tell me one thing and when I look at his school work I see something else such as poor grammar, spelling mistakes and the like. In maths they can work at a level they feel comfortable at. Consequently my soon stayed at the same level for a whole year even though he could do a higher level. Hence my choice of phrase 'cruising'. It's not surprising that their GCSE results are disappointing. Hence the reason for our wanting to move DS.

It's reassuring that there are many people out there who are very positive about St Eds including Honeysucklejasmine. I presume you were a student there?

We will be attending the open day in September.

[honeysucklejasmine]

No, I was teaching staff. Say no more or I'll out myself. Although saying only good things, I shouldn't think it would matter. I have great respect for my ex colleagues.