Churchers v at eds

[KJJ1212]

My son has offers for Yr 7 at born schools.. I know they are very different!
Any personal experience on the senior school of either?

Both not born!!

I think you need to look really carefully at what is important to you...and your DS.
I have friends with children at both schools...in fact a couple of families with children from the same family at both of those schools. For them it has basically come down to academics...ie. the brighter child has ended up moving from St Eds to Churchers. It must be said, that in both cases, the families have absolutely loved St Eds before making this choice...so it is in no way a reflection on anything wrong with the school. Tough cal...but lovely to have choice! Well done your DS!

We chose St Eds over Churcher's and been very happy. My son is flying along in the Seniors at St Eds, he is top set and stretched. No school (especially somewhere like St Eds which is still building its GCSE track record) which trades on its GCSE results is going to let their brightest coast - it's their results that ensure the school achieves its best position in league tables, therefore securing ongoing interest from prospective parents. They are all businesses at the end of the day!

That said those enjoying a St Eds education receive good teaching combined with a sensible balanced approach to life, extra-curricular activities are wide-ranging and the school certainly seems to punch above its weight in sport. The school is much smaller than Churcher's, every child is known and children socialise more widely than just within their own year group - it's a happy place.

thanks both.

we are so so torn...they are very different,

I have two children at Churchers - both different, both thriving! DS1 is in 6th form and joined the school in Yr7 - the only one from his prep school. He has loved every moment and decided early on after GCSE's to stay for 6th form. He is a keen rugby player and has had loads of opportunities to represent the school locally, across the UK and overseas. DS2 is very keen on football and while it is not a main sport at Churchers they have been very supportive of him needing to leave early etc to get to fixtures some distance away.

Academically both my kids are stretched and supported where appropriate and i feel teachers know them really well. Heads of house have great relationships with pupils and the pastoral care is fabulous.
Any issues we have had have been taken seriously and dealt with straight away, keeping us in the loop.

Please feel free to message me if you have specific questions. I could bang on for ages!!