Moving to Rochford Essex! schools advice etc

[twinnie13]

Hi so we are moving to rochford and are currently looking at schools for our son. He is four years old and in reception at another prep school in London. We are currently looking at Alleyn Court and St Michaels prep school.

I would really like to hear from parents regarding the schools. We are looking for a comparison school to my sons existing school - his current school has a large field, swimming pool and small classes (11 in a class with a teacher and TA). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Equally if you are able to recommend other schools I would also appreciate.

I have read about Thorpe hall school but seen some negative reviews on google review.

Why are you moving to Rochford? If you are sending to a Leigh prep your child is going to have no local friends. Move to Leigh or Westcliff and be part of the school community. Thorpe Hall is an all through school. The others are preps. St Michaels is heavily aimed at the local 11+. Not that supportive of those that are not grammar school material. Historically Alleyn Court has had at least some focus on boarding schools at 13. Thorpe Hall senior school will be largely be those that have not made the grammars. Saying that those I know with children there rate it highly for raising confidence and nuturing their teenage children. Generally the advice is don't expect an all through school to prep for 11+, as they want you to stay til 16/18. But don't live in Rochford and commute to school in Leigh.

Thanks for your feedback. We are moving to the new build site in rochford and there is a good commute route into London for where my husband and I work.

Do you know much about the rochford area? I would really like to hear reviews. Also I have googled the distance and it’s a 12 min drive which is totally fine.

I am looking for a school that nurtures for both private secondary and also grammar we are not sure yet where my son would go for secondary he is only in year 1!

12 minutes on a good day with no traffic. More like a 20 - 30+ at school run to Alleyn Court.

Rochford is lovely, lots of green spaces, if it's the new build near the station it looks really nice from driving past, the green window frames are 'interesting' though!

What PP said about both schools, both are 11+ prep schools, and at 4 you won't have a clue if your child would head that way. So if you think that you'd carry on with private if they didn't do grammar then Thorpe hall would be a better choice. They've just owned a whole new building for theatre and arts (I think)

The drive from rochford to alleyn court / those hall (they are next to each other) isn't bad, can do back roads or main a127, but as I said can get busy.

Rochford to Leigh is to main a127 and across.

I really like rochford (don't live there, but we are going to move that way) as close enough to Southend / stations / heading to Chelmsford for nice shops but out of Southend chaos.

Loads of things for families to do outside and also for convince a 7-11 Sainsbury's local near you too.

I would suggest trying the school run. It may be 12 minutes with no traffic but it will never be that quick at school time. I would guess at 30 minutes plus.
Rochford is nice, I'm assuming you're moving to the new builds near the station which look lovely, but I would seriously think about a more local school, especially if you will be commuting

Thanks for their feedback. We are not on that phase those properties that are up now are finished our home is being built and will be ready in summer time - exciting times!

Our son currently attends a prep school so would want him to stay in a prep school so that’s why we looked at close prep schools. I will take the points above and try out the school run to get a better idea but either way he will attend a prep.

I am not familiar with rochford area as we currently live in Thurrock so I would like to know any information.

Also if you have any information about the schools or can recommend anymore That would be great.

Thank you to those who responded so far x

I live pretty close to Rochford and can confirm the travel times of 20-30 minutes. Traveling north/ south around Southend takes ages.
The area is pleasant enough with a few nice country pubs if you drive out towards Stambridge and Paglesham. There's lots of activities and classes around for children and you're not far from either shops or countryside.

I think those are the only independent schools that I can think of.

thanks for the advice - much appreciated!!

Hi Twinnie13. Just wondering if you’d made ur decision on schools? My DCs go to St Michaels and we live in Rochford so feel free to ask any questions. Drive time from ours in the morning is approx 25 mins but you’re at least 8 mins closer than us x