City of London Freeman's School, Ashtead

[Confused2011]

Does anyone have a child in the junior school at Freeman's? DD is very bright and self-motivated, so has a chance of passing the 7+ entrance exam, but we're looking for a loving and nurturing environment, with teachers passionate about bringing out the very best from the KS2 age group, not only academically but also in art, DT and music. We'd like a school where the children think of themselves as a group travelling through their educational journey together, rather than as individuals being assessed and compared with each other. Finally, we'd love her to feel she has the teachers' backing to think outside the box, take risks and go down blind alleys, instead of worrying that each piece of work has to be "perfect" and conform with what is "expected". Would Freeman's fit the bill?

I don’t know a lot about Freeman’s, but have you looked around Chinthurst? They’re definitely getting the most out of my eldest in just the way you describe.

I wouldnt describe Freemans as a nurturing environment - it is a good school in lots of ways but I wouldnt put it up there for pastoral care. Chinthurst better for that I would agree.

You are asking a lot you know - compromises will be needed -they are only schools at the end of the day.

Visit both schools. Ask questions. Pay attention to your gut feeling about the schools. But honestly I’m thinking you might have to modify some of your expectations.
Thinking outside the box is a good idea but if the school cannot teach it, you should instead. At the end of the day this is a educational institution not anything else. Have you considered homeschooling or not?
Homeschooling is perfect for teaching children things like flexibility and unconventional skills like thinking beyond the obvious.

@Confused2011 we are also considering Freemen's and whilst we don't have a child there, we have plenty of friends who do.
I would agree that it's not at the top of the list for pastoral care, and the sport provision is patchy. They have a reputation for not winning at much sport wise.
Those with girls there seem to be happier with it than those with boys. There's a fair bit of movement around 11 too. A couple of friends have moved their dds to Epsom college because they're really sporty.
It's reasonably academic though, although not if you compare it to the London schools. It depends what you're looking for. We are also considering Aberdour, Downsend and Banstead Prep. It's a real headache!

We are also considering CLFS, Downsend and Aberdour. It is indeed a headache.

Freeman’s is certainly the most academic but have concerns that it’s very traditional. The other schools come across as far more dynamic with greater added value.
Would also be very keen to hear from current parents with regards to these 3 schools, the good, the bad and the ugly......
Thanks

Thanks for all your replies!

Missdeameanour, when you say "dynamic with greater added value" what do you mean? I'm completely new to KS2 education, so don't really know what "extras" to look out for.

Epwell, do you have DCs at Freemen's yourself? And are your comments about the Junior School, Years 7-8 or the Senior School? I've met the Junior and Senior School headmasters and they both seem very caring, with a genuine passion for children/teenagers, and they seem to go out of their way to look after the staff in a holistic way behind the scenes way above and beyond the other schools we've looked at elsewhere, so it's hard for me to picture them not taking bullying seriously. Is this really the case? Any other parents with experience of this at Freemen's?

Hi just wondered how things went and if you went to Reigate - considering a similar path.