Crown House Shool in High Wycombe

[Mich86]

Hi there all, newbie here.

We’re considering Crown House in High Wycombe for our DS (or maybe Griffin House near Wendover). Have you had any recent experience? I get the feeling the school has improved recently after an ofsted and moving premises?

Anyone?

There are better schools elsewhere. Griffin House used to have hardly any boys higher up the school and sports facilities (and others) are pretty limited. My DD went there for nursery, which was great, but higher up, quite frankly, there are better state schools! Far better!

Crown House isn’t as good as Davenies in Beaconsfield for example or The Beacon at Chesham Bois. You could look at The Gateway at Gt Missenden but that’s a bit of a 11 plus crammer in my view. I think these schools are mostly for DC whose parents don’t want a state school but seem to be prepared to pay for a mediocre prep. I don’t get it and if you are between HW and Wendover, there are better schools.

Thanks Bubbles. Crown House caught my eye because they claim 80% of pupils are placed in grammar schools (not 80% of those who take the 11+, but of pupils total apparently) plus they were listed as the top 20 best prep school by the Times (whatever that might mean). They also make big claims about pastoral care which is important as our DS is very much on the quieter side. I can certainly see that Davenies looks like a good school but is almost twice the cost.

If anyone else has children at Crown (or other schools nearby) I’d be interested to know what you think!

Everyone takes the test in Bucks. You opt out, not in.

Davenies is more expensive for a reason.

State educated DC get grammar school places too you might be surprised to hear. If you were the 20% who didn’t get to the grammar, might you feel a bit down? Or very second class? Parents select some private schools because they are cramming for the 11 plus in Bucks and largely don’t have Sen children or behaviour issues in class. They don’t send DC to schools at 13 like the traditional preps. So they attract the grammar brigade who could not afford senior fees. So they go all out for Grammars. These DC are probably tutored so how do you judge the school? Crown House isn’t a bad school but I think it’s usp is a bit narrow.

Aren’t Crown House and Griffin Linked now?
They used to be separate but Griffin changed from Ladymede - there was a big promo about them merging.

As PP says, there is a reason Davenies is almost twice the price, as is Godstowe.

You don’t tell us your son’s age.

DD went to Ladymede for a while. It’s very good for nursery and KS1, but sport, art, drama, music etc as well as teaching facilities are very lacking for KS2. Also it’s just too small. They are now linked I think. None from Ladymede went to boarding schools. It’s purely a refuge from state schools. Which is daft because many are better!

We send our children to CH. We were attracted vs. state school alternatives that we would realistically be able to send our children to due to catchment. Early years teaching is fantastic with lovely experienced and motivated teachers. Small class sizes. Nice grounds/facilities. We haven't regretted the decision at all. Would highly recommend.

I’d be interested in current views on Crown House, many thanks.

We are currently there and have been since 2018.
we don’t regret the decision for a minute. Like any school it is not perfect and we are actually not aiming for a grammar. However our quiet shy academic boy has really thrived here and I would highly recommend it.

i was educated at a high end public school in London. This school has real strengths.

Maybe a better idea to ask for school feedback from those who have and are currently attending it.