Essendene Lodge, Reedham Park....

[YuliaT]

Dear mums (and dads)
Is anyone heard anything about these schools in Purley/Caterham? I'm thinking to move my son from one well-known private school in Purley to smaller and less competitive school (co-ed), but still with a good academic results. Found these 2 schools and will be appreciated for any information about them. Thanks

I have a friend who has two boys at reedham park and she is very happy with it, the eldest leaves in July. Haven't heard of the other one.

Which school are you moving from out of interest? St D's?

Thanks. From Cumnor House. St. Davids does not have a good results as quite a lot of kids go to local comprehensive after 11+, isn't it? If you know, where is your friend's son going to after Reedham?

Riddlesdown i think

I think quite a few from St David's go on to woodcote or pay for private secondary

Thanks! Hmm, probably I need to contact St. David's as well, just to have a look. And Caterham as well. You said Essendene numbers have dropped off in the upper years - do you know the reason (or may be guess)? Actually I'm looking for Y2 place.

Sorry, I've probably misled you - my son is in Y1 now and I 'm looking a place in Y2 from September (as I need to give one term notice). Yes please, if you can ask about Caterham as well, it would be great. He loves swimming and football, so sport facilities are quite important as well.

I've got a reply from St.David's saying they have no places, no reply from Reedham, and a reply from Essendene saying they have places... hmm, not a good result :(

Ladymuck, many thanks! I asked St.David's to put my son's name on the waiting list. Still hope to get a reply from Reedham. Essendene will have an open day next week, so I will probably pop up and look at the school. What worries me about Caterham is that the Caterham is quite a big school. I would not say my son is an angel, but if he sees a lot of naughty behavior around he catches it as well, if kids around him are good and nice to each other, he is a lovely child too. And girls have a good influence on him. Sorry for silly question but what it means "provisional/rolling" notice?

Do you know much about the financial side goldenticket? I see that Essendene has been set up as a limited company in December 2011, but don't know whether that means that the Haydocks have sold it or are getting ready to sell?

YuliaT, with the smaller schools, don't be afraid to ask about the financial stability of the school. St David's for example is a charitable trust and you can see the accounts on the Charity Commission website, and you can ask questions of the governors etc. When I was looking I asked for the number of pupils needed for the school to break even (and the then headmaster had no problem in telling me). You will of course be aware that it has been very stressful for parents at West Dene and Lodge to find that their schools had been bought/sold behind their backs.

thelastgoldenticket, thanks! I will definitely visit Essendene. Do you know anything about their financial situation?

Ladymuck, yesterday I tried to find something about financial situation at Essendene but was unsuccessful. Will ask about it during the visit. And I have one more question about St.David's - can kids bring packed lunches or, like in Cumnor, you have to eat their lunches?

Ladymuck, should I tell Cumnor that notice is provisional? I'm afraid a lots of questions will be asked then.... Do they have a right then to ask us to leave the school at the end of the provisional notice if another child wants to join the school? Logically, it's better for them to get rid off "unhappy" child/parents and accept a new child.

Yes, if you give provisional notice you must say that it is provisional, otherwise you lose your place. I guess it depends on why you want to leave and whether there is anything that the school can do to help. I had to discuss my concerns and plans with the school as I was only removing one child (from an incredibly disrupted class).

Yes, I consider Caterham as well:) School provided lunches are not what I wanted actually, as my son refuses to eat school meals:( But anyway, will look at Caterham as well. Thanks a lot!

thelastgoldenticket, if it's no secret where is your son going to after Essendene?

Ladymuck, I have visited Essendene and have mixed feelings. Is that possible to get your advice without sharing with information here?

You can send me a PM (private message). If you are logged in and go to the top of the page you will see an inbox, and from there you can send a message. It is worth remembering that we are in an area with a number of good state schools as well, though spaces may not come up in those until year 3.