Eltham college, Colfes or Farrington

[Sallyssss]

We have been out of the country for a while and would like to consider my son for the above schools. The only problem is he hasn't had a traditional English education. What are the tests like? Will they support a child to "catch up"?

Farringtons is a very supportive school and although they will assess each applicant they take a range of ability. The assessment will depend upon the age of the child but certainly with the junior school it is very informal during a trial day at the school. Year 7 entry (from age 11) is by written exam but I am not sure how they do things further up the senior school when there is not a bigger entry point but more occasional spaces.

I don't know much about Colfes but I believe Eltham College is reasonably high pressure academically.

Out of the three, I would say Eltham is the most academic although Colfes is raising its game. All are supportive. What entrance age tests are you looking at?

Year 5.

I've heard such mixed reports about Farringtons!

Sorry - thank you replying! 💐

Don't know anything about Farringtons.

Very good experience with Colfe's and know many pupils there who received extra support at times. Not unusual for pupils to join in year 5 if they have a space and then take the entrance exam for seniors inhouse at the prep.

I know of one child who couldn't cope academically with Eltham (prep) and was very unhappy while parents searched for an alternative school. To be fair, Eltham kept him, while they looked for an alternative.

Unless things have changed, Eltham is still single sex. Colfe's is co-ed.

I have 2 DDs at Farringtons and am very happy with the school. One needs some support with her literacy and gets it, the other seems to be doing very well academically and they do recognise areas of ability and challenge her further. I guess they are not known for being uniformly highly academic but I genuinely believe for my girls they get the best from them and can support the range of ability they have at the school well.

Colfe's is more academic than Farringdon's I believe. And Eltham college even more so.

I was impressed with Colfe's when we looked around last year. Entry for year 7 was by way of a written test, but not sure for year 5.

Eltham College is very academic and I've been told pushes out pupils who struggle. It can be seen as "the school to go to" locally. It seemed rather cold to me. Farringdons are apparently very good at supporting children who need it. Colfes is in the middle, with academic standards good and rising, especially in sixth form. Colfes have good pastoral care, excellent facilities and a real family atmosphere.

Thank you all for replying.

I think it's down to Colfes and Farringtons. I don't think I (let alone my gorgeous boy) could cope with a highly stressful environment.

Sallyssss - I am a current Colfes parent. If you have any questions you are welcome to PM me.

While I agree with the academic ranking of the 3 schools, I don't agree with the idea that Eltham is a pushy or stress school. I have no vested interest as don't have kids at any of the schools but know lots of parents with kids at each of the schools. My dc have sat the exams for 2 of the 3.

Eltham does have a newish head who is trying to modernise the school and lift standards but have yet to hear of any significant culture change - it is a good but not exceptional local independent boys school.

All of the schools would admit into year 5 by way of entrance tests. It's not a typical entry point so your son could end up sitting the tests by himself or in a very small group. Assume this is for entry in Sept 2018? Maybe get in touch with the 3 schools now and have a look round?

Farringtons is a very caring school and the facilities and grounds are exceptional. It is certainly a less academic school than Eltham College and, for that reason, a number of boys leave at the end of Year 2 for Eltham College. I don't think that EC can be characterised as a hot-house environment, however.