Lockers Park, Chesham Prep, The Beacon, Davenies, St, Johns Beaumont and Kingscote

[shinybaubles]

Hi everyone we will be returning to live in the UK next year and I have been trying to find a school for my son.
Can anyone recommend or provide any additional insight into any of these schools, positive and negative both are welcome. Would really appreciate any help you can give.

Anyone . It's a bit difficult trying to find a school from outside the UK as all the websites and brochures etc are all glowing and positive and look great - but was hoping for some personal opinions.

All I can tell you is my dh went to Lockers - but 25 years ago - and I forever am amazed at how crude he and his contemporaries are. His mum is always bewailing his expensive education and he ended up like this! However, he was a boarder and it was ancient history, no doubt all boys' schools are like that

The deputy head of St Johns bought ds's old prep, it's a jesuit catholic school, he was very committed to his faith so I imagine the school is alot like this aswell.

The old deputy head I mean.

Oh dear Lockers Park is a favourite with dh.
I am aware St Johns is a Jesuit school, and that's not really a problem for us unless I have overlooked some pertinent issue - which I may have done

How old is your ds? Several of the Bucks prep schools have a reputation for cramming for 11+ to selective state schools, so you may want to check how many stay to 13+ if that is your intention.

I have friends who haverecently had children at Chesham Prep, and other friends who have had children at the Beacon. Both were pleased with the schools. Both schools have thriving Y7 and Y8.

Don't let my comments put you off, it was so long ago I think schools have changed hugely since the 80s. Dh did say he received a fantastic education there and when he went to his next school it wasn't nearly so impressive

Ds will be 5 next year, and to be honest haven't given any thought to education really other than getting him into a good primary school where he will do well and be happy.

Davenies has a smart astro turf pitch and a lovely indoor swimming pool. If you are looking at single sex schools another one to consider is Ridgeway. In Berks but if you live north of the A4 you are in catchment for Bucks grammars. Quite a few parents from Bucks send their boys there with a view to getting them into Bucks grammar schools. It goes up to 11 so no common entrance issue to deal with. Ds is there and I'd recommend it highly.

Thanks MollieO will have a look at that one.

My sense of geography is terrible, I want to be 30 - 40 minutes drive from my sister who lives in Perivale so that is influencing my choice of school, and am being entirely snowed under by all the brochures and info and places to live - yikes.

We live in this general area, OP, though my DCs went to state primaries. Parents we know whose DCs went to Chesham Prep and The Beacon seem very happy with both schools.

Kingscote is slightly different as it?s a pre-Prep which mainly (though not exclusively) feeds into Thorpe House School. Thorpe House changed from a Prep School not long ago and now takes boys all the way up to 16. The you?d need somewhere for your son to go for his ?A? levels, so it?s a different (though not necessarily worse) educational route.

I know your DS is only 5, but it would help if you had some idea of whether you?re likely to go private all the way through, or switch to grammar school at 11+ as this might affect your decision. I think all the Prep schools you mention are pretty good, though.

My friend's 2 boys go to the Beacon - they love it there (the eldest has just been diagnosed as dyspraxic so getting lots of support).

Westbrook Hay is a great school. Is in Herts very near Hemel.

I really have to disagree with fullermum. I have 2 DS's at Chesham Preparatory School and they couldn't be happier. They have been at the school for 3yrs and are now in Y4 & Y6. The school is brilliant and look after my DC's all round education, nurturing them as individuals and helping them grow into well rounded young men. The sports dept is fantastic and the senoir staff are wonderful - really working as a team for the benefit of the school as a whole. We have had 3 different headteachers in the 3 years we've been there but the staff have remained constant and focused.

I am sorry that you have had a negative experience at CPS fullermum but dont think it's fair to suggest that it is in any way a true reflection of the school and it is certainly not anything that I have experienced. The two parents I know of who have had some unfortunate bullying incidents say they are pleased with the quick and efficient way in which the senoir staff dealt with it.

I am probably really late on this, but I used to work at Leighton Park senior school until this July. the kids we got from Davenies were lovely well rounded polite kids. however i don't know the other schools so well, good luck, I am stuck with the state system so very envious

Kingscote - heard it is really nice and nurturing - some boys go on to other preps (other than Thorpe) eg Beacon and Caldicott

Davenies - heard some negative things about - arrogance and glossy with no substance

The Beacon also seems nice - but I would have thought too far from Perivale (as with all the Chesham preps)?

My 2 children attendChesham Prep School. It is a wonderful school with warm, caring staff who really care about my children. There are a huge range of activities on offer and the trips are great and loved by all. There is a new Headmaster who seems to be really pushing the school forward. I would totally recommend Chesham Prep!

I would also highly recommend Chesham Prep, seems like lots of new families are joining and my children are very happy. They have great fun and the teachers, facilities and location are excellent.