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Greenfield or Hoebridge in Woking

41 replies

Coolmum06 · 29/04/2022 00:54

Hi there,
My DS is starting Reception and we are in a dilemma between Greenfield and Hoe bridge. Any experiences or suggestions please

OP posts:
Ju2017 · 07/10/2022 14:12

Following - can anyone pls comment on their recent views on Hoe Bridge and Greenfield? Also what are the best state schools in the area?

Moonpie22 · 25/10/2022 10:54

Watching thread

Wokingdown · 31/10/2022 23:31

I would avoid Hoe Bridge, my child used to go there and had to pull her out, she was bullied and hit few times, nothing changed on complaining. Outwardly they act like they care but mostly gaslight and take no actions. My child was reluctant to go in, and now we have moved her to Halstead. Hoe bridge seems to encourage bully culture. Please avoid Hoe Bridge.

Anniah · 01/11/2022 10:07

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WBMumma84 · 07/11/2022 15:25

surprised to hear this have been recommended the school by a current parent & visited recently and loved the atmosphere and considering joining. Can I ask did you leave the school recently? I know the Headmaster joined a few years back and only heard great things about the change

Anniah · 07/11/2022 20:31

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Wokingdown · 08/11/2022 08:16

Yes we left recently. The prep headmaster is slightly bettter but the pre prep principal is not very good and keeps coming up with excuses for bullying and hitting.

BridgeMummy · 09/11/2022 09:21

I’m sorry to hear your experiences of Hoe Bridge; I have two children and we’re really happy there. My DD struggles a little with settling and pre-prep have been amazing at supporting her. Older DS is doing better than I’d hoped in the Prep and have found the Heads both super engaging and responsive.

Pencilr · 19/11/2022 11:54

I agree about Greenfield’s senior leadership team. Very nepotistic and unprofessional. Everyone seems to be related in some way and as a result they get promoted to a position that they are woefully under qualified for. It’s clear that the morale currently is very low. The teachers are brilliant but unfortunately a lot of them seem to be leaving each year as they don’t get a lot of support from the SLT. Teachers are scared to speak up about issues because of the repercussions.

Anniah · 19/11/2022 14:14

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Pencilr · 19/11/2022 19:35

It’s just so sad. When it was at the old site it was a lovely school and the staff were looked after so much better. I think it’s run more as a business now so their employees are just seen a payroll numbers and easily replaceable. The staff are not trusted by SLT and are monitored to an overbearing extent. I imagine it’s quite a suffocating environment.

Anniah · 20/11/2022 09:05

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BettyMigs · 28/11/2022 13:08

I know a number of parents who plan to pull their children out at the end of this academic year. There is a great deal of discontent.

BettyMigs · 28/11/2022 13:16

Greenfield are having their annual Christmas event at G-Live this year. They are charging parents £15 plus booking fee to see their children perform. A lot of parents are boycotting the event and even more are very angry, especially as it involves children rehearsing there all day and being stuck there until gone 8pm! Some of these children are as young as 4.

Anniah · 28/11/2022 19:35

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Lostinmumslation · 30/11/2022 10:27

Well this thread took a turn!

The advice I'd give to any family looking at around at reception age is to know that this choice is important and that once you have chosen, supporting your child's school is your next important job because in the 7+ years that they spend in that school you can expect all kinds of curve balls in your personal and professional lives. Some days life will just chew you up and spit you out. The staff in these schools will hold it together for you when times are hard and your children will learn, play and be cared for on days when you can barely order a deliveroo. Teachers are your ultimate wingladies and wingmen. Moving children from school to school can be important when the reason is centred upon the child's needs. Please do visit the schools at least 2-3 times before making a decision.

In answer to the original question, I have children at Greenfield and friends with children at HB and by all accounts, we have very happy and thriving children. The best advice that I received was to look for a school that would celebrate my children for who they are. There are differences in the cultures at the schools that could make one or other a better fit for your family. Both schools will continue to be successful because they help to offload the pressure on families with two working parents by providing after school clubs and holiday clubs.

I won't say a lot about what is special about HB because I don't have personal experience. From what I understand of HB compared to GF, they lean more towards competitive sports, their testing strategies are different and the hours are too (notably from Year 3). The age ranges that the schools accept differ and HB are expanding to a senior school as well.

Greenfield are unapologetically diverse and inclusive. Form sizes are 24, core subjects are taught in groups of 12. Our children have welcomed so many new friends during the expansion of the school and are kinder humans for it (kinder than they would have been with the experience not kinder than any other child of course!) They had zoom time with their teachers and friends every day in lockdown. The performing arts department is something to behold if you want your children's confidence to blossom and you might even find that they are presented with opportunities to perform at venues such as G Live. The SEN department is an asset and a toolkit for children that illustrates the complex understanding GF have of childrens learning needs. In my experience resources there are available in situations led by the child's needs; such as during challenging life events, if a child is particularly nervous before a music exam and to maintain the stretch in the children performing at the top of the academic curve as well as the bottom. Finally, the headteacher might be the single hardest working human that I have ever met. If you do have the privilege of meeting her, please ask her the question of why it is important to her to create the school that she is.

BettyMigs · 30/11/2022 13:49

Well, we all have our own experiences and knowledge. Given that you are clearly good friends with members of SLT, your experiences and loyalties are very different.
Not all parents feel as you do. In fact, very few that I have spoken to. Let’s let the walking of even more longer term parents be the real test here.

Pencilr · 30/11/2022 14:23

I think the general consensus (imo) is that if your child is particularly smart or talented; they will be looked after and put on show. But if your child is average, middle of the groups, quiet etc. Their potential is not picked up on. Some teachers either don’t reply to emails or respond when it’s too late and parents are not given enough notice when events are taking place.
It seems that SLT are very glittery and shiny but won’t give credit to the staff when it’s due. My child has worked with multiple teachers to get support yet none of those names seem to get mentioned when we have a meeting with one of SLT. Giving thanks and appreciating the hard work of your employees goes a long way.

BettyMigs · 30/11/2022 18:21

I think you are spot on. For a school which claims to be inclusive and diverse, it’s always the same children in the spotlight, whether it be in a music recital, dance show, sports event, social media feed etc. So dull.

JamieleeS · 01/12/2022 20:13

what did @Anniah say to get totally screened out?! Can't believe i missed it!

Anniah · 04/12/2022 18:18

@JamieleeS nothing that wasn't entirely true!
@Pencilr I agree with your comment wholeheartedly. Never a truer word spoken.

Catmoon · 12/12/2022 23:56

My daughter has just passed exam for 2023 year 7 HoeBridge new senior school…..any recent feedback on the school would be great…I’m worried mainly boys

Catmoon · 12/12/2022 23:59

Are u still happy my daughter will hopefully join year 7 in 2023, just wonder are they still boy heavy ? I’ve heard academic but are they nuturing with it?

BettyMigs · 14/12/2022 16:54

Happy Christmas from Greenfield. The PR farce that was GLive (those poor kids) and an 8% fee increase!

BridgeMummy · 14/12/2022 21:30

@Catmoon I have a friend in current Year 6 and the girl/boy ratio doesn't seem to be an issue, I believe almost even - don't know exact numbers though. I think this is an old worry when the school changed from boys-only many years ago, but that seems to not be the case anymore.
As I said my DS is in the prep and is well supported and they have a dedicated pastoral deputy.
@ Everyone - the best advice a former Head teacher once gave me was to dig out inspection reports - schools can't hide from inspectors and even if they try, you can find the reports on the ISI website who do the inspections for private schools...