Chigwell school

[LifeInPieces42]

It’s not an AIBU but I really need insight into what people think. I’ve found older threads on this school but thought I would start my own and see what people think of it now.

Would you say Chigwell is an academic school or just nice grounds? I’ve heard people saying this about the school. Some parents I know who send their kids to Bancroft said they don’t feel Chigwell is that academic. Surely it gets good results? I can’t find any data for Chigwell from last year.

I know a few children at Chigwell and if they’re anything to go by, it’s very academic!

Bancroft has a bad reputation amongst the private school parents that I know, and I’ve heard of a few students leaving.

Any selective school will be academic especially in the London/borders area where there is such a scramble for so few places.

Some may be more academic than others but I’d personally go for a more balanced school where the kids haven’t been narrowly hothoused into being Doctors and lawyers. The academic rigour will still be high relative to most schools in the area but maybe they also make an effort in the arts. I work in tech, being creative is important as well as being academic.

Very good school. Competitive and academic. Plenty of us with kids there who got into Bancroft's but preferred Chigwell. It’s very different though. Visit them both on a normal day to see which suits your child better

@Ruple

Bancroft has a bad reputation amongst the private school parents that I know, and I’ve heard of a few students leaving.

Hi thank you. What do they say about bancrofts just out of interest?

@Chigwellschool

Very good school. Competitive and academic. Plenty of us with kids there who got into Bancroft's but preferred Chigwell. It’s very different though. Visit them both on a normal day to see which suits your child better

Thank you! Would you say there are any negatives of Chigwell? We’re always debating Woodford green and st Aubyns too

It really all depends on the child and the school. Not every child fits every school. They all have something to offer the right child whether it’s Chigwell, Forest, St Aubyns or Bancroft. Only by visiting the schools will you know. For example we had a choice between Bancroft and Forest (Chigwell a bit too far) and went for Forest as it suited DC better even though it didn’t have as good exam results as Bancroft as we liked the arts and sports provision and general vibe. Just suited them better. Doesn’t mean Bancroft was a bad school, Forest just seemed more ‘them’. If that makes any sense?

Yes there are negatives. It’s old fashioned in many ways, prioritises boys sports, fixtures and trips. There is some nepotism with children of teachers. There has been the odd crap teacher (but they don’t last long). Senior management needs a shakeup but the head leaves soon (he’s actually good though). The upsides are the kids are generally lovely, there is a high level of happiness, mine love the school and their friends, there are some outstanding teachers. There are possibly more children with broader interests. Mine came out with top grades, no doubt would have achieved the same at Bancroft but they just didn’t love the school.

Thank you.

Does anyone else have any insight into Chigwell? My child has been offered a place (in the junior school) but I’m worried about taking it as some people told me it’s a waste of money.

Why a waste? The prep school is good I think. Mine went to state primary and joined year 7 so can’t comment from personal experience but the prep is hugely oversubscribed. Automatic entry into senior school is no longer a given though as they have to pass the 11+ so I wonder if that has affected people wanting to bother with private prep.

Yes they have to do 11+ at the end of prep too.