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Original poster

Berkhamsted schools - help please!

233 replies

teetering · 07/02/2009 17:09

We are moving to the Berkhamsted area and wonder if anyone can give any further insights to: Berkhamsted Collegiate Prep School, Westbrook Hay Prep School and The Beacon School in Chesham Bois? It's hard to get an inside view when all you can do is read a review and do a quick tour etc.

If there are any other schools (state or private) that anyone can recommend, please do share!

Thanks!

OP posts:
Haribosmummy · 13/03/2009 18:52

Yes, 2010 makes sense for your little one!!

And, yes, we have a 14YO, an 11YO, a 9 month old and 5 month old 'bump' (who, to be fair, isn't much of a bump yet!). Oh, and a crazy chocolate labrador!!! It's a madhouse here most of the time!!

Thankfully, our house is pretty big so we don't trip over each other!!

When will you make a decision on moving?

Original poster
teetering · 14/03/2009 10:49

OMG Haribo that is hardcore! You must be very organised with such a bustling home.

Why on earth does that kid come all the way from M Keynes for school?! That is a bit nuts!

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ForeverOptimistic · 14/03/2009 20:09

Oh my goodness Haribo I take my hat off to you!

teetering the state schools do have nurseries attached, I am sure there will be places available if you want to put ds in for a term.

Because stepping stones don't take children until after they are 3 a lot of people put their children in pre school for a year and then transfer to SS. If you are thinking of doing this I would definitely consider Marlin Montessori, don't be put off by the lack of outdoor space they are always going for walks and they are right next door to the castle grounds where they often play ball games and have picnics.

Still no luck on the property search?

Haribosmummy · 14/03/2009 20:45

Haha!! The elder two are my step daughters!!! I'm not biologically responsible for ALL of them!!

FO - thanks for the information on nurseries - that is what I'm looking at for DS... I was looking at Moor End (that's where my DSDs went) but will look at Marlin Montesori (is that the one at the back of the station?)

Teetering - I have no clue why DSD1's friend comes from MK, I just know she gets the train backwards and forwards each day!!

Original poster
teetering · 14/03/2009 22:15

Thank you. Forever - you could be an educational consultant (unless you are one already!). So helpful!

Marlin Montessori looks good. I see you can do a long session in the afternoon or morning, or have them in from 8am-6pm. We've met a lovely childminder, but it's so hard to make things work when you have to drop them off at 8am, get to the station, and to work, and do the same in reverse, yet do a full working day! I've never left mine in an all-day nursery before (childminder always), so the thought freaks me out a bit, but it would certainly make my life easier dropping them off and collecting them by the station!

We're due to exchange this week, so can't really sign any rental agreements til then! Fingers and all other parts crossed!

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Original poster
teetering · 15/03/2009 19:58

I have a dilemna and would welcome advice. DS1, as you know, is due to start in Reception in September. After almost 4 years of being a SAHM I returned to my old work in January, working just 2 days a week. I feel like a new person as a result and am totally loving the fresh perspective it gives to all aspects of life.

What on earth do people do when their kids start at 'proper' school? Does everyone stop work, have a nanny, or have the luxury of family nearby etc?! Most childminders will only drop off and collect from certain schools close to them.

Ideally DS1 would start in Stepping Stones 2 in Sept, and I think their day doesn't start til 8.50am.

I can't believe I am the only person who would like to continue working after the kids start at school. I need to get the 8.15am train from Berko, and I just wonder what on earth other people do? Are there other mums at the same school who end up helping out?

Your thoughts are welcome!

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SugarSkyHigh · 15/03/2009 20:13

surely any Berko childminder would drop off / pick up from Stepping Stones, as it's pretty central?

Original poster
teetering · 15/03/2009 20:18

Thanks. I will ask them specifically, but not one of the however many on the main list have it specifically listed whereas they have Swing Gate, Greenway etc down...

OP posts:
SugarSkyHigh · 15/03/2009 20:20

i would say SS is right in the middle of Swing Gate and Greenway! so if they can go to both of the above, they can def. do SS.

SugarSkyHigh · 15/03/2009 20:21

i mean, in between........ not in the middle of IYSWIM

Original poster
teetering · 15/03/2009 20:23

Sugar I definitely see your logic! Maybe they do not list it as it's a private school - but that seems strange...

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SugarSkyHigh · 15/03/2009 20:24

p.s.
have just read your OP! better late than never. in the light of your OP, have you thought of Beechwood Park prep? v. nice, and lots go on from there to Berk. colliegate and plenty of other independent schools, boarding & otherwise. Beechwood is about 15-20 mins drive from Berko,and people do go there from Berko.

SugarSkyHigh · 15/03/2009 20:26

yes, i thought to myself perhaps the childminders don't list independent schools... maybe because it's a council list or something? i don't know....

Haribosmummy · 15/03/2009 20:35

I agree with SSH - Stepping stones is very central and, if you can cope with GreenWay and SwingGate lane, you can cope with Stepping stones.

Mums around Berkhamsted do help out though - My DSD1 used to go to a friend's house some mornings for breakfast / walk to school and we often pick up / drop off DSDs friends.

But, Berkhamsted do run breakfast clubs and after school clubs which are open to the Prep school - My DSD2 often used the after school club - I picked her up on my way home from work before I stopped work to have DS.

SugarSkyHigh · 15/03/2009 20:53

Haribos - have you thought of Kingfisher Montessori? not IN Berko but 15 mins drive. Friend's DD goes, it's apparently very small and caring - i think she said it's not open for very long hours tho

clam · 15/03/2009 22:14

I don't think your place at the Collegiate is necessarily assured all the way through. My nephews had to do well in their Yr8 exams in order to be able to stay on in Yr9, as there were people waiting to transfer after middle school. They were fine, but some people are asked to leave!

Haribosmummy · 16/03/2009 07:07

Clam - I know all the kids have to sit the entrance exam, but I've honestly never heard of a kid being asked to leave for purely academic reasons.

In fact, I don't know of a case where a child has simply gotten a letter from the school declining a place - AFIK, the school will talk to the parents prior to the exam to address concerns....

All kids from the prep school are allocated a place in Senior school and are given priority...
We transferred the DSDs to the prep school as we felt it was easier to get a place rather than wait to transfer at senior school (but my DSDs went straight from Victoria, they never went to middle school)

SSH - Where is KingFisher Montessori? 15 minutes is quite a way out of Berko!!

Original poster
teetering · 16/03/2009 07:50

Straight from the Head's mouth as we were there last week: the school will flag up with parents well in advance if they think a child will not pass the school's own exams to pass into senior school. Everyone can them make arrangements to get into most appropriate school. He said only 3 cases in the 10 yrs he's been there of kids not getting into the school they have chosen. Most do stay and go on to the senior school.

I've read about Beechwood Park Sugar, and it sounds an excellent school but I would prefer not to be flogging 1 hour plus each day in the car, with DS2 shouting all the way with impatience at chasing after his brother everywhere!

Haribo I think the SS breakfast club is only for SS2 and above. And I think after Yr 3 they can stay on for after school activities? How do you find that?

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Haribosmummy · 16/03/2009 13:06

Exactly, teetering. That's what we've been told too. Though in the (only!) one case I know of it was far more a case of attitude than intelligence, IYSWIM.

Fingers crossed for your exchange date - it's soon, yes?

Haribosmummy · 16/03/2009 13:08

Sorry, forgot to mention, my DSDs do alot of after school activities and they both enjoy them immensely.

I think it's a testament to the school - as DSD1 is very sporty and DSD2 is very arty and creative, but there are activities for all the kids.

babyboo78 · 16/03/2009 16:43

Message withdrawn

babyboo78 · 16/03/2009 16:44

Message withdrawn

clam · 16/03/2009 20:02

Maybe it's just a thinly-veiled threat to keep them all on their toes, then.

Haribosmummy · 16/03/2009 20:27

Hmm.. Anyone know what the 'message withdrawn' thread is all about????????????

Original poster
teetering · 16/03/2009 20:31

I am not sure about the 'withdrawn' person! They posted that link on several threads. Maybe they were trying to push their own advertising for a website, or school, or something....no clue!

Are there NCT Nearly-New Sales in Berko? Is there decent stuff?!

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