Breaside, Bickley Park or Babington House

[treaclepumpkin]

Does anyone have any recent experience of the above schools? We visited and quite liked Breaside. Was had to make a judgment about Babington as the open day was such a scrum, way too many people there on the day. We know of one child that recently left Bickley that has done very well, but hard to tell of that was down to the school or more about him as a result person.

We have places pretty much guaranteed, well subject to assessment at Bickley and Babington for this September. However, still waiting to find out if there will be a place at Breaside, which was originally our first choice.

If it helps/makes a difference, we have two DS'.

Not at any of the schools but am local with DS. What are you thinking for senior/secondary because the three schools push you in rather different directions....

I'll be honest, I haven't thought far enough ahead. I guess a good grammar school or another private school. I really have a clue about all this stuff. Just want to make sure they go to a good school and are happy and do well. What schools have you looked at? Any others you would recommend?

What directions would you say these schools would be pushing in? I've kinda just gone by what's fairly close to home

So - and as I say I don't have children at these schools so it is more by reputation and chatting to friends - my view is Breaside as a prep to yr 6 is the one that prepares for grammar/other local independents. We looked round it but couldn't get both boys in at the same time and I thought the site was a bit cramped - no pool for example. Bickley is a prep to 13 (and obvs all boys) and my impression is (may not be true!) they like the boys to stay to 13 so prep for that process rather than grammars. I really don't know babington but presume they want everyone to stay on into their senior sch - which may or may not be right for your kids. I think boys going all through is relatively new?

Our personal experience is we went for an all through sch and initially liked the happy unpressured environment, but we have therefore had to prep our boys ourselves for grammar/other 11+/moving on from this sch which has not been ideal. If I could work out how to pm from the app I could be clearer...!

Sent you a pm (via the website) x

Worked out how to reply!

We found the admissions procedure to Braeside a bit wierd compared to other schools. We were on a waiting list for nearly three years with no movement of the list, and told no places at various stages and then suddenly given three days notice of an assessment for reception after all (this was when we complained/asked what was going on after a friend who was further down the waiting list got offered an assessment before us. We loved the school, but couldn’t get over this. Friend very happy with school but parking is hellish.

@oliviabenson2 yeah, of the three schools this seems to be the place with the least transparency on their waiting list. I currently have zero idea whether we will get a place at nursery this year or failing that a reception spot next year, despite calling to check.

Did they actually tell you what number you were on the waiting list?

Was there any reason given for why someone further down got called in ahead of you? Did their child have a sibling there, for example?

Also, can you tell me a bit about what the assessment involved?

Sorry for the 21 questions!

Admittedly it is a bit long ago, but from memory we visited when DD was barely 18 months put her straight on waiting list for both nursery and reception (kindergarten?)we were told she was 11th on both (after chasing) which was a bit strange and then she did not move. I used to ring up every few months. My friend had no history with school so again was all very strange.

I have a DS at Bickley park and we chose it under Breaside. We liked both schools but felt that Breaside was very academic (the asst head was extremely proud of KS2 maths results on our tour) and pushed children towards grammars at 11+, lots of emphasis on homework etc. We chose Bickley because it seemed more rounded with sports and other activities. As a pp said, they do prefer boys to stay to 13+ where they achieve excellent results but they will definitely support a 11+ exit based on parent preferences.

That should be over Breaside, not under!!

Braeside has felt overcrowded in my opinion for years. I remember thinking that when we were looking for a reception place for DS1 and he is now in year 7.

A word of warning - many, many parents of children in these schools will have their children tutored in the run up to state grammars 11+ and other independent school entrance exams. I would say a very large proportion indeed. Please don't use any of these schools' results as your only indicator of academic success, as their SATS results and the list of schools (with scholarships) that the children go on to is not indicative only of their education in that school.

Thanks @Ankadan. I know someone with a kid in year 5 or 6 (can't quite remember) at Bickley. I'm always hearing about his sporting achievements and scholarship awards for sports. No idea where my kids' talents will lie in the future, but would like to think they would be well supported all round, not just academically

@WellTidy I think it's going to be good to go back to all of these schools and get another take, whilst they are in session. Get a proper feel. My husband did think Breaside was small from the outset, but if the numbers were small enough I would have thought it was ok. Perhaps meaning they would play closer attention to each kid. But overcrowded is not what we would want to feel, at all.

And yes, it's true. Pretty much every one of these kids will be getting tutored. Makes me wonder whether an independent school makes any difference at all, as compared with a really good state school.

Even one of the teachers at one of the open days we went to said to us that her child was at the school, she herself is a teacher and her kid still has a tutor. Because everyone else does and she wanted to be on the safe side, so to speak.

Have you considered Merton Court in Sidcup, or is that too far for you? We looked at it and loved it, and then concluded that it would take far too long in rush hour. But we loved the school.

We also liked Farringtons, which has a lot of emphasis on pastoral care. Not a very academic school, but lots going on there in sports, arts, trips etc.

Also, have you considered starting off at one of these school (and the ones you've listed) but then looking to move for the start of Year 3? Eltham College Junior School is an option.

@WellTidy

Yes, Merton Court would be too far for us too. Thought about Farringtons, and it does seem great at the junior end. But heard quite a few people say the lack of academic rigour at the senior school was an issue. And I guess thinking about it a bit more, I wouldn't want them at an all through school if the plan would be to move at 11.

I've only recently learned that it's possible to make a switch at 7, so Eltham is now a potential possibility.

I guess I want it all, and I suppose no school is going to be perfect.

When Babington House didn't take boys beyond the end of year 6, it was common for sme boys to move from Babington to Eltham at the end of year 2. Then many left in between the end of year 2 and the end of year 6.

I always wanted a school that DS could stay at until the end of year 6 when every child moved on. I didn't want to move him during primary years, just wanted him to settle and establish friendships etc. And then I saw just how much movement there is between the schools that have featured on this thread, let alone with moves out of the area. When DS left primary, I think there were only three others in his class that had started with him on his first day in reception. I think a school that you'd be happy with for primary, and then consider a move at the end of year 2.

DS1 is now at Eltham, in the senior school. He is really enjoying it, and we are really pleased.

I realise this thread is discussing single sex boys / coed schools but I wondered If anyone has any experience/feedback on Bromley High through siblings etc? DD is currently on the waiting list for a y4 place having passed the assessment but we are not sure how long we will be waiting! We loved the school when we looked round but wondering If anyone has any first hand experience.

DD moved last year into y3. We are delighted so far. The sheer breadth of the curriculum & extra curricular makes it worth every penny IMO. Excellent pastoral care too.

I had children at Breaside, they started at 2.5 years of age and I had to move them as they got further up the school. There is a dreadful culture of bullying at this school. The parents bully each other and are really vile and hence their children copy them and bully other children. I know of a child who had racist bullying and another one who was physically attacked. The Head doesn't do much about it and lots of people have left in recent years and gone to Babbington or Eltham College. The school itself is very small and cramped, with a lack of outdoor space and therefore they do not achieve in sporting events. If your child is dyslexic or has any kind of SEN do not go here as they do not want children like that and they do not have the provision to help them adequately. As mentioned by someone in a previous post the only reason the results are good is due to private tutoring and not as a result Breaside. All the parents are extremely pushy and the values and morals they are teaching their children is dreadful, I expect a majority of them will end up with mental health issues in the future due to the intense pressure they are put under. Personally I would say find a good state school and pay for tutoring (this will be the equivalent of Breaside). Usually lots of spaces become free in year 3 as it is renowned for year 3 being utterly dreadful and loads of children leave. When we started at Breaside we thought what a lovely nurturing school but as the years passed the cracks started to appear and by the end were we so disillusioned we had no choice but to make the hard decision to move them to a better school. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi guys I’m also new to this chat room and am also considering Farringdons , Babbington and Merton court as options for my son as primary - but with the aim to go onto grammer at 11. These comments are really helpful and initially I was basing my option on solely the 11+ results... if anyone has any further advise/ insight would be much appreciated

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