The Beacon - Amersham?

[Teacupcakes]

Hello, We are currently trying to decide on a primary/pre-prep for our ds. The Beacon seems incredibly popular. Whilst we liked it, we don't get the wow factor about it that everyone else seems to! It seemed pleasant enough but crammed in. No playground, only astro turf. No indoor pool so the boys only swim in the summer. 1 hour a week of art. International studies sounds great in principle but 1 hour a week seems minimal and french itself not starting until yr 5. The lunch hall, whilst beautiful, is tiny and I can't imagine how they do it and remain civilised. I have visions of the boys having to eat as quickly as they can so the next sitting can begin etc. We didn't meet a single pre-prep member of staff during our two hour visit, this seems odd. The boys weren't smart but looked happy enough. I'd love it if someone could tell me if I'm missing something. We love that it sends boys to the grammar schools as well as public schools and did like it. Just not getting the wowness of it. Any opinions welcome!

I agree with you OP. I was not wowed by the Beacon. I thought it had a hard corporate edge to it as well in terms of marketing and trying to get as many boys through 11 plus. I questioned in my mind if it would be supportive if your child fell behind. Where else are you looking at?

I looked at several nearby schools, Davenies stuck out for me and I walked around thinking I wish I had gone to this school (unlikely considering I'm female and my parents couldn't afford private schooling). My boys have been at Davenies for several years and it has been a great choice. They do lots of extra curricular stuff and sports, but still manage with the academic stuff.

However, three of my neighbours send their children to the Beacon and they're really happy with it too. I think sometimes you do have to go with the gut feeling.

In the other direction there is Berkhamsted School. They have a prep dept. Or Chesham Prep.

I think it depends on what your intended route is. Berkhamsted goes all the way through. A lot of schools in this area feed the Grammar school (focusing on 11 plus rather than CE)

Given that the OP seemed worried about her DS falling behind, I rather suspected Grammar School might not be her first option, so I suggested other schools. The problem is that, in this area, boys senior schools are not in abundance. If you do not want a state secondary then choice is limited unless you board at 13+, eg Stowe. The Beacon is more of an 11+ factory so, frankly, parents are not looking for a traditional prep school with fantastic facilities. They want the grammar school place above all else. This is a Bucks thing. If you want a proper prep school that prepares for CE at 13, and has all the knobs and whistles, then you possibly need to look further afield.

It was me who mentioned about the Beacon and questions as to whether they would supporting those falling behind, rather than OP.

MMM I agree with your comments on Beacon and also lack of schools

Thank you for your replies. It is sooooo hard to decide and not be influenced by popularity and latest trends. We also felt we had been through a slick marketing machine but perhaps its justified. Our Davenies tour was by the Headmaster, who we thought was wonderful but is sadly leaving. I was surprised by their class sizes, thought 22 is rather a lot. Ultimately I am probably overthinking this massively and they are all excellent schools! Also need to look at Caldicott and consider sending ds to Godstowe until he is 7 where dd goes and is very happy. Decisions decisions!

Thank you for your replies. It is sooooo hard to decide and not be influenced by popularity and latest trends. We also felt we had been through a slick marketing machine but perhaps its justified. Our Davenies tour was by the Headmaster, who we thought was wonderful but is sadly leaving. I was surprised by their class sizes, thought 22 is rather a lot. Ultimately I am probably overthinking this massively and they are all excellent schools! Also need to look at Caldicott and consider sending ds to Godstowe until he is 7 where dd goes and is very happy. Decisions decisions!

Gateway School in Great Missenden is well worth a look. It is a great alround school.It caters to the individual child's needs.

My son has been there for four years and is thriving. He is very happy, has lots of friends and enjoys the variety of after school clubs.

There is as much focus on the arts and sports as their is an academic achievement, so all children have a chance to thrive. Those that are right for grammar school are as well supported as those that are better suited to a senior school.

Gateway also has the added advantage of being one of only a few co-ed independent primaries in the area.

Whilst the site is small and the facilities don't appear to be great, the school takes advantage of local facilities including the village hall and the local sports centre, so it has all that a child from 2 to 11 needs!

Certainly worth a look.

The Gateway is very much an 11+ factory. I know quite a lot of former parents and there was only one reason they chose it. Relatively small numbers do not go to grammar schools. For girls I think Godstowe is a lot better but it focusses on CE. Different type of parent and destinations. OP - I would look at Godstowe and then Caldicott. You already know Godstowe, so at least you will have two at one school. I think you will find lots of Godstowe boys go to Caldicott. At least they did when my Dd went to Godstowe. Caldicott would have the best destinations list of any of the schools mentioned here and almost certainly superior facilities and sport. Does the Gateway have a playing field? It depends what you want beyond 11 or 13 really.

My boys are at Davenies and have been really happy there. It's a real shame that the Head is moving on because he's fostered a lovely ethos at the school, but the heads of Pre-prep and the Junior school are both great too and both staying. The standard class size is 20 - they occasionally have an extra one or two in a year (which the parents are generally NOT happy about, but usually happens when people say they are leaving and then change their minds at the last moment). The boys go on to a mixture of grammar and private schools. Good luck with your choices - I'm sure wherever you choose your son will be very happy!

Definitely don't send your boys to the Beacon if you want them to go to one of the excellent local grammar schools. The new Beacon head is anti-grammar school and the school prides itself that it doesn't make your boy ready for 11+. If you want to do this you are told to get a tutor - even if your child is top sets for everything. The state primary schools will do a much better job of getting children to the right academic level by the start of Year 6. Only send your boys to the Beacon if you definitely want to do the 13+.

Having to sort out tuition yourself is expected at any school isn't it? It's a bit confusing how the new Beacon head could be anti-grammar school when 33 Beacon boys went on to grammars (according to their leaver destinations page of their website). Surely it's up to a family to decide what they want to do for year 7 up and not much a school can do about these personal decisions?

Yes, it should be up to the family and child to decide their future, not the school. Despite the sending lots of boys to grammar in the past, the new head is changing the focus to maximising the number of boys that stay to 13+. More money and prestige. If you challenge this you are made to feel very stupid that you don't understand the meaning of "Prep School"!

I know this is an old-ish thread but thought I’d chip in, as so much of the very post is massively out of date.

Like the OP, we’d heard great things about the Beacon (including from old friends with boys higher up the school) but obvs wanted to see for ourselves.

On our first visit (2018) we went around mentally ticking boxes: 16 acres of sports fields, all-year swimming (outdoor pool getting a roof), 8 music rooms, 2 theatres (4 LAMDA teachers!), 2 libraries, French/Spanish/Mandarin available from Y1, etc etc… but more than that we loved the sheer energy and enthusiasm coming from the boys. AND they had impeccable manners.

Yes it’s massively pro-sport but in the nicest way (‘sport for all’ policy = six teams for rugby, cricket etc, everyone gets a go no matter how good/dreadful) but we especially loved that drama is just as big (heaps of drama scholarships, inc to the likes of Eton), and also there are loads of other ‘outdoorsy’ activities like open-air art sessions and forest school type stuff. Also: climbing wall, astro for footie, adventure playground (Y1-Y4), and separate playground for the littlies.

But what we really loved is that unlike some of the posters have said, we’ve found that they’re absolutely not a ‘one route only’ kind of school (and there are def lots of those about). Yes they DO send boys off to the trad public schools (and they’re the best school in Bucks for this, if that’s what you’re after... Radley/Eton/Oundle etc), but a big chunk also leave at 13+ for the two local day options (Berko & MTS), and there’s zero snobbishness about anyone wanting to try for Dr Challoner’s at 11+ (the school doesn’t officially prep for it – Bucks schools aren’t allowed to – but they’ll recommend tutors).

Side note: large numbers of small classes means they’re able to do lots of setting (whether for support or stretching). Compare Chesham Prep (no setting until Y5!!)...

As current parents, I’d say the biggest negative is that being such a popular school means the catchment is wide - families as far afield as Great Missenden & Wendover in one direction, or Gerrards Cross & Beaconsfield the other. Plan your play dates carefully.

Hope that helps anyone looking. Feel free to PM me with Qs. DD is at Godstowe (as are many Beacon sisters).... I would say that while Godstowe is more famous, we’ve found the Beacon to be just as impressive.

*very first post 🙄

Excellent post primrosesamdpeonies ... I’m about to put my son into the beacon. We were blown away by the facilities

Actually I’d say that for anyone looking at reception entry, then it's actually the pastoral care that makes the Beacon stand out. Don’t get me wrong, the facilities of the main school ARE incredible, but acres of playing fields or multiple theatres are a bit wasted on a 4 year old. We personally only moved DS1 into year 2 and DS2 into reception from Gayhurst, which is our closest indie, because it’s become much harder to get kids in at Y3 (if your son isn't either a genius or brilliant sportsman, you can forget it). But since moving them, the academic standards have been really impressive, as we expected (my eldest was really behind), but it’s actually been the pastoral care that's blown us away. Small class sizes, real focus on each child, and the newish head of pre-prep, Mr Steward, is a real inspiration (wise old soul on young shoulders, huge focus on kindness and compassion...my boys adore him, actually they all do)…. they just get it spot on. In fact my only regret is not having sent both sooner! You live and learn.

Oh, and mine will definitely go all the way, to 13+, as will most of their chums... they don't ever want to leave!

It’s around 4 miles to Great Missenden - if that! Not far afield at all! And as for Wendover - it’s like being in the Arctic Circle! Honestly they are not far away at all.

My DD went to Godstowe. Plenty there from miles further away. Boys from Godstowe often go to Caldicott school in Farnham Royal which also sends plenty to the top schools and is a boarding prep. So different clientele to The Beacon.

Just to add to this thread, my son goes to the Beacon, it is a brilliant school and we thank our lucky stars he got in. The ethos of the school is fantastic, "Sport for all" is real, music and dramatic arts are also high profile. Added to this the care your DS receives is excellent.

The only issue is when your son gets to the end of year 8 and he has to leave the Beacon. Once you start looking around other schools you realise how fortunate your DS has been.

Are you all teachers? We turned down the Beacon for Davenies, one of the reasons was that the year group was so large that many of the children didn't get selected for matches (whereas at Davenies they all play). I'd be interested to hear how they get round that given there's 60 in a year group and the other nearby preps only have 40 (max)

Most boys boarding schools would be a great follow on senior school. They mostly have everything!

My son has just joined yr 2 at the beacon and seems to love it so far

Re your question @underneaththeash all Beacon Boys basically have to play in sport fixtures because of the "sport for all" policy. As the Beacon is one of the largest prep schools in the country I can understand you questioning if some boys get the chance to play, but they all do actually. The school manages this by having multiple teams at each level (i.e. 2 B teams, 2 C teams and so on) and then arranging fixtures against different schools i.e. C1s play Oratory prep away whilst the C2s play Berkhamsted prep at home.

In years 7 and 8 the number of fixtures does decrease as a sizeable proportion of the prep school kids in Bucks leave to go to state grammar schools and the truth is that no state school in Bucks is able to prioritise enough time or money for sport.

I know I am a big fan of the Beacon but having experienced a much more elitist sport policy at my DD's school the Beacon's way is a great way to do things as it means all boys get a chance to be part of a sports team on a regular basis.

And no I am not a teacher, just a Dad.

State grammars from year 7 pro-rate the sport so you never to an entire term of one sport unless you're in a team. Sometimes having to stick out an entire term in a sport you're not really in to can be a challenge for the boys in Games lessons. PE only gets one lesson a week - if only it could be more but who knows when the new swimming pool opens after Easter! Looking at the Leaver Destinations page on the website will give a helpful insight as will the review in the Good Schools Guide. Drama is amazing and should have more hours on the timetable. They add an extra class in Year 3 so an additional 20 places come up then. 50% leave for state grammars after Year 6 so more places come up for Year 7.