Kingscote in Gerrards Cross

[thinkingaboutschools]

Any thoughts or views?

Anyone??

Know people who've been happy with it although one's recently moved back to the state sector.

I've more experience of Gayhurst and Beacon tbh.

Weblette - what's your view on Gayhurst/Beacon?

Both good, two of mine are at the Beacon, lots of friends with boys at Gayhurst. Depends what you want really and what sort of child you have.

We chose Beacon because it suited our ds1 in particular - it seemed a bit 'sparkier' when I visited, we also have dd at a nearby school so the logistics are easier.

Academically both strong, lots and lots of sport and good facilities. Any specifics you need to know?

I am going to visit Caldicott school and I was thinking if DS went there which pre-prep would he go to..

I have heard lots of good things about Gayhurst - but it didn't "blow me away" when I went to visit.

We are slightly further away from the Beacon, but I think they have a minibus service?

DS is very active and I think reasonably bright (although difficult to assess as I am biased!) I just want him to have a really good start (I know from personal experience what it is like to be in a school which does not develop individuals!

What about Dair House, they are a feeder into Caldicott (although a couple of years ago they increased the age limit to 11 years) Previously you had to leave at 7. Head of Caldicott was also a governor at Dair House. They are in Farnham Royal (well away from the sprawl of Slough!)

The Beacon?s excellent, you very rarely hear of anyone who has had a bad experience of it.

Gayhurst more of a ?marmite? school, IMHO. I went there 30 years ago and hated it as, more recently, did 2 of DS?s best friends (13 now), but my godson loves it, as did his father who I first met there.

Will you aim for GS at 11+ or stay in the private sector? It makes a difference. For example, Caldicott is definitely geared more towards its pupils going on to boarding schools whereas the Beacon accepts that a large percentage of its boys will go to Dr Challoner?s.

Yup minibus from GX and the Chalfonts, probably becoming a coach service from January.
There's an Open Morning coming up soon.

Beacon could certainly cater for him. Sport's three sessions a week lower in the school, four from Yr3. Played to a v high standard. Academically they assess thoroughly so get a good idea of where they are and also where they should be.

You get a lot of people with dds at Maltmans and ds at Beacon.