Reedham Park vs Croydon High School?

[Copelia3]

I know they're totally different, one is little with very reduced facilities and the other is massive -as are their fees. Anybody can tell me pros and cons? My little girl is currently at the Cumnor House nursery and loves it there but I'm not so sure about Cumnor girls so I'm looking at alternatives!

I dont know either school personally, but know someone who sent their daughter to Reedham Park. They loved it - but were a little surprised at first that they were expected to do odd jobs around the school (eg paint the class rooms, clear the grounds). When their DD left they went to Croydon High. You could see the fact that CHS is an all through school as an advantage.

Thanks for your reply! I'm aware that reedham does ask the parents to help out with lots of maintenance work and fundraising. I'm wondering if the academic level of Croydon high justifies their fees being exactly double!

The GDST schools are usually quite cheap - how does Croydon compare with JAGS/Alleyns (sp?)?

I've just looked at the two schools' websites and see what you mean. Reedham Park are charging what the Montessori nursery school my Dcs left 10 years ago were charging then. I wonder how they can keep their fees so low? No wonder parents help with maintenance. What is their pupil:teacher ratio? Are you happy with the formrooms, do they have a space to do PE? Etc

They are cheaper but I wouldn't consider another ones as I don't want a long commute!
Reedham park have no kitchen and do lots of fundraising etc to keep the costs as low as they do. The facilities are so limited though!

I just meant so you were comparing like with like. My DCs went to a prep school which was £1500 a term cheaper than the other local prep. No kitchen, no specialist games or art staff, v limited choice of instruments. DCs did swimming, gym & tennis outside school & got into all the secondary schools they applied to. V small classes make life difficult socially as the pupils get older as there is some natural attrition with families moving out of the area.

My DD is a bit shy and quiet and I though a larger environment like CH would help socially, rather than being in a small bubble... I'm back to work part time only so the finances are not great! So wants to be sure before I commit 2 kids to a private school education

Have sent you a message.

I know a child at Croydon High Junior. Switched from a state school, but into the older end of the junior school. She is thriving academically, having been seen in her old school as average. Also loves the sport - they have fantastic facilities and a big site. Her parents are extremely pleased and intend to keep her there for senior school.

Hi - I know this is slightly irrelevant and I hadn't heard of Reedham until I mentioned it to my parents who still live locally, but I went to Croydon High - I loved it, fantastic facilities, great academic record and really down to earth. If I had girls (2 boys! How did that happen!) I would certainly be looking at a GDST school for them - a boys equivalent does not seem to exist. My mothers view of Reedham (she know of it through a family friend) was not especially positive...

Have you looked at Old Palace Junior sch? Smaller than CHS....

I saw my source this weekend and asked her the three best things about Croydon High Juniors. She said a few things that might be helpful:

1. She like having swimming lessons all year round.
2. For science lessons year 6 use the senior school labs and "things like test tubes".
3. Junior scool language lessons are with language specialists from the senior school. Latin and French in year 6.

Hope this helps you get a feel for the place.

I've been to see reedham park and was surprised at how much I liked it! But god, is it basic! It's positively run down and tiny but the teaching seems of a high standard... So just a matter of getting the calculator out and see if I can really afford CHS.
Thanks ladies for all your input!