Advice on Combe Bank School

[sg1234]

Hello,
we are seriously contemplating moving our 2 boys to Combe Bank Senior School in September 2016. We'd really appreciate any feedback on the pro's and cons of the school before we jump in.
Thanks!
SG

Hi, only just seen this thread, but I assume you are aware the school has been taken over and is (or has already) changed its name to Radnor House? Of course the existing ethos of the school may continue but it may be worth investigating.

I have taken my daughter out of there recently. It may well be new and improved under the new head David Paton though. There is a lot of investment being put in to the school.

hi SG1234,

We are in exactly the same scenario - been to their open day this past Saturday. DS got a place at Caterham, but I was blown away with the vision of the Radnor head. We met the staff and they all seemed lovely (although i expect a lot of staff changes will happen in the next year - it did at Radnor House in Twickenham).

I don't know if we should go proven Caterham or buy into the new vision of a happy child .. school.

Good luck ! What did you guys do?

Nick

Hi all

Thanks very much for the responses.

We too were hugely impressed by the new head teacher. I think we will go for it. Only heard good things about the changes planned so far and reputation.

Next step is to find somewhere nice to live. We are coming from London so are new to the area. Anybody have any thoughts on towns or villages for a nice 3-4 bed within 30 minutes drive to school? My wife likes the look of Leigh and Westerham...

Regards

Simon

Hi Simon. I live in Sevenoaks with my husband and two children who both go to private school locally. We moved from Greenwich London 15 years ago and love it here. I run a local business called movingyourlives.com which helps people moving into the area, covering all aspects of lifestyle, areas to live and schooling. Coombe Bank is one to watch! I've heard the new head is fantastic and has wonderful things planned for the school. We desperately needed another good co-ed private school locally. Let's hope Coombe Bank is it. Let me know if you'd like any help.

Just thought I'd post on here incase anyone is still looking for information on Radnor House Sevenoaks. The school has attracted lots of new students over the last few years with skilful use of social media and review sites. They have invested a lot of money in the facilities, and made some positive improvements to the school. If you like sport then this may be a good school for you. However it doesn't really live up to the hype. The school has expanded rapidly, and struggles to keep up. Mainly in the academic department. There doesn't seem to have been the recruitment of academically suitable teachers. The school doesn't stretch pupils in the prep part. Partly because they don't have the skill, and partly because they don't need to. The pupils can just roll over to the senior school - that is of course what the business wants. Also they take any pupil throughout as they have to fund the development of the school and the investors. The level of the teaching throughout the school is probably on a par with the local state schools, but nowhere near matches the best private schools. So basically what you are paying for is slightly smaller class sizes and the facilities. There are better schools in the area with similar (or better) facilities and much better academics for the same fees.