Bancroft's School in Woodford

[Changeandchangeagain]

Hi, I have posted this on Secondary as well. I am considering Bancroft's for my DS. He will do the assessment in Jan for the prep school dept, which we have visited and liked. However we don't know as much about the senior school besides its reputation of being quite academic. Wondering if anyone has any current knowledge about the school? I think the senior school head is relatively new too, has the school changed in its ethos? Is it really as results oriented as some people suggested in the past? Any comments/advice would be really appreciated!

I am interested in sending my son there when he is older. I've heard very good things about it and it is my first choice for senior schools. I did not want to send him to an all through school.

I went there many years ago. They are results driven but also place a lot of emphasis on extra curricular activities, there are loads on offer. And these are well promoted too, there are always various plays/music events/showcases etc. I have a family member working there (she didn't work there when I was there) and she says she likes the new head as do the rest of the staff. I went to visit a few years ago and the new facilities are amazing.

Thanks Coldilox, it's good to know that the staff is happy with the new head, it is so important for the school that the senior management is supported by the staff. Bancroft is the most academic school in the area and I do expect them to demand quite a bit of work from the children, but hopefully not too hot house and not at the expense of the happiness of the children. Do you know if the new head has a different vision for the future of the school?

I'm afraid I don't know, I have moved away from the area and don't keep in touch with the school other than bits of news from my family member (mostly which of my old teachers are retiring - most of them now). I never felt hot housed or that results were the only thing that mattered, I was definitely encouraged to be more rounded than that. They are very academic but then they select the most academic pupils so generally they cope with it well.