Buckinghamshire Schools - any recommendations? Really confused

[mb008]

Hi,
Hopefully someone living in Bucks can throw some light on this problem for us.

We are going to move into Bucks next year from Beckenham, South London. The reason being there aren't any decent secondary schools around here and DS1 is going to be starting YR6 in September 2013. We're moving to Bucks to try for the 11+. He is currently at an independent and is doing well.

We also have a 4 year old (DS2), who has just started Reception in the same school. He will be moving into Year 1 in a new school in Bucks.

We went to William Borlase's Open Day in September and really liked it. We also hear good things about John Hampden, but haven't been to see it. It is likely that we will buy/rent in Marlow with an aim to getting into one of these schools.

Now the problem is finding an independent school for DS1 for Year 6 and for DS1, for year 1 onwards.

The only school I have visited is St Piran's, and I was amazed at their facilities (much more than they have here in London), but it was perhaps too big - maybe? Also, I know it's a Christian school, but could someone let me know how religious it really is.

Their current school has 126 pupils in total and all the children know each other in all years. I've looked at Herries, but not visited yet. I've read reviews and on paper it doesn't look great - but there seems to be some good parental feedback.

So - where else can they go that is commutable from Marlow?

I'm really sorry it's so long winded but hope you can advise if you know the area well.

[difficultpickle]

mb was your planned visit to Herries?

[LAlady]

Oh what a shame, MB. Year 5 is the only year like that at Herries.

My understanding is that if a school is a Bucks partner school (ie. they can sit the 11+ at the school) then the school cannot offer preparation for the 11+.

[friedegg1]

As someone has already mentioned, try The Dolphin School nr Twyford.

[Inclusioneer]

Yes, The Dolphin is lovely. I was very torn between it and my eventual choice.

[redsplodge]

Just be careful about residency requirements. Challoners was mentioned upthread and for 2014 admissions you would need to have moved by April 2013, not sure about the rules for the schools you have mentioned.