Laleham Lea Vs Cumnor House – which is better at getting children into top top schools?

[ziggyziggypow]

We live in North Banstead and we like both schools. Not interested in Sutton grammars and the whole pushy parental thing or crazy tutoring.

But we would like DC to attend a good local prep before attending a major public school.

Our impression of Cumnor was that it presented itself as more of a business?? Like the whole point of the school is getting its students into Caterham and other local public schools. Basically they consider that ‘job done’.

Laleham seemed much more gentle on the children, or at least that was our impression. There seems to be a nice mix of parents. It just really appealed.

Sadly, we’ve heard conflicting reports that Laleham has been close to closure several times in recent years. Does anyone know anything about this or know the reasons why? I’ve heard various rumours about cash flow problems. Also, that its senior school closed down a while ago or changed into an academy and it has struggled since?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience of either.

Thank-you

[Leeds2]

Do you mean Cumnor House for Girls, or Boys?

The senior school for Downside Lodge (which was a mixed school), Commonweal Lodge (girls only), closed down about 8 years ago. At that time, Cognita took over and Downside became Cumnor House School for Girls. I don't think Laleham Lea has ever had a senior school.

[ziggyziggypow]

Cumnor House Boys' Division.

The senior school to Laleham Lea was John Fisher (sp)? I think its located on the same road but could be wrong about that. My understanding was that many pupils would transfer to John Fisher at 10 or 11, and that the school had use of many of the senior school's facilities.


I've also heard that it's not seen as a 'rigourous prep' by some local parents Vs CH.

Is Winchester, Westminster, Eton achievable via either school?

[Juggling123]

I’m a parent at Laleham Lea and I chose the school for its warm and welcoming environment, small class sizes and amazing pastoral care. All the teachers know all of the pupils and seem to genuinely care about each and every one of them. My children couldn’t be happier and doing really well academically too.
They do have close links with John Fisher still – the Sports’ Day takes place at the John Fisher Field and the Summer show last week was in the Hall at John Fisher too.

[JoJoSM2]

This is an old thread, but for someone with aspirations for Eton or Westminste, this best local school would be Homefield Prep in Sutton.

[Triathlon989]

Are you British Op? And what do you mean when you say ‘a major public school’?

With the exception of a small handful of schools (Eton, Harrow, Winchester) entry to major public schools in UK is entirely dependent on the child being reasonably intelligent ( enough to get good grades at GCSE ), well behaved and the parents ability to pay.

Boarding schools are pricing themselves out of the UK market and are struggling to maintain their British ethos - the aspect that appeals to their overseas clientele. So British children are at a premium and it is a buyers market.

Both of those schools will get your DC into most British boarding schools. But if you are dead set on Eton, Harrow or Winchester you might be better off looking at one of the traditional boarding preps ( Summerfields, Sunningdale, Cothill, etc).

[pushymummy1]

I would agree, C House Boys is like a business they claim that they prepare you for 11 plus but only support you at 13 plus. If this is the sell, they should make this clear at the begining.

The school are very inexperienced with senior schools out of the Croydon area.

[pushymummy1]

The Cumnor House Boys school is definately money driven, they pretend that there are several exit points but will only actively support you at 13plus. They also have no experience or knowledge of any schools out of the Croydon area!

[ChristopherTracy]

Agree with JoJo if you want a big name secondary then you need to look elsewhere for prep. Even Homefield can only really manage KCS, CLB, St Pauls. Eton only very occasionally. You would have to be very clued up as a parent.

[JoJoSM2]

I'm not sure it's about Homefield 'managing'. I think it's a different kind of parent/family that wants 'big names'. People into 'big names' don't tend to live this way. Going by my Sutton neighbours, people tend to apply for academic day schools.

[JoJoSM2]

Or not so academic if that's more appropriate but Homefield is definitely an academic prep.

[BigSandyBalls2015]

Laleham lea was closed for quite a while a few years ago

[helpmum2003]

Out of interest what is the difference in pushiness between aiming for a Sutton grammar and a top Public School such as Eton?

[JoJoSM2]

helpmum, not necessarily a difference in pushiness as Wilson's and Eton are very similar in academic terms. However, grammars admit the children that perform best in written academic tests whereas independent schools also interview and look at other things candidates have to offer (sport, art, music) etc.

[pushymummy1]

Cumnor house cant deliver on anything, they are a 13 plus focus school no better than a state school. All the results that appear to be outstanding at 11 plus are based on parents heavily tutoring their children and the school claiming the results at 11 plus.

The school is a business that work very strategically not to allow children to leave at 11 plus, they make it extremely difficult through various off handed strategies!

[helpmum2003]

Thanks JoJoSM2.