Caterham School

[h1deH1]

We’re considering a move to Caterham School (prep) as we really like it and feel that it is the right school for our son.

However we know no one that attends prep (or senior school) to give an honest account of what the school is like.

Is the pastoral care good? How is bullying handled there? Do the majority of children from the prep move over to the senior school?

I’ve read some previous threads that have said the school is “diverse”. Is this because of the boarders in senior school there are more international students? Keen to hear experiences of current parents of children at the school. Please feel free to pm me if you prefer.

Thanks.

Our dc went to senior there, one at 11 other 13. The pastoral care was pretty good and any bullying or unpleasantness dealt with quickly. The cohort from the prep school (less than 30/40 pupils) were close knit, even in sixth form, although some outgrew it and left. There did seem to be some movement in year 5/6 to alternatives for those not destined for the senior school. Those that stayed apparently had a easier selection process and a chunk of the awards. I would suggest while the prep shares the facilities of the senior (pitches, coaching, pool, woodland etc) there has been less specific development there in recent years but that may be due to a relatively recent change of head.

Thank you that’s incredibly helpful

I had one ds in pre prep, then prep then senior.
Apparently this year is the first year that there is no guarantee for place in senior from prep. Partly because the senior school is so oversubscribed, but partly because the pre-prep is non selective and the senior school is not the right environment for all children to thrive.
There have been a handful from prep that were not offered senior places - I believe that they were pre-warned this could be the case and advised to look at alternate provision.
New head in prep is like a breath of fresh air compared to the previous head.
Senior school wise the pastoral care has been brilliant. Not always obvious, but very strong and supportive to all children and parents where necessary. There is a strong well being curriculum and this is supported by external speakers and also a programme for parents if they wish to participate.