Bickley Park Prep recommendations

[Mcbromleymum]

We are looking at prep schools for our son and have considered most of the co Ed ones but wondered if anyone had experience of Bickley Park Prep and would recommend please? ☺

Hi no personal experience of that school but my first recommendation would be to looks at the leavers destinations and see if that is what you are after. Compare to the other locals prep schools.

I am a big fan of single sex schooling but everyone had their own opinion.

I hope some people with local knowledge come along soon.

@Mcbromleymum

We are looking at prep schools for our son and have considered most of the co Ed ones but wondered if anyone had experience of Bickley Park Prep and would recommend please? ☺

Hi my son was at the school and left recently in 2020 any questions let me know.

They are getting a new head in Jan I think

Hi @Vick21 I have the same concerns. I found leaver destination shown on their website is not clear. Only shows last five years top destination percentage.. and they do not help
11+ only 13+?

Hi @Aprilzy5,

I will try my best to help, what would you like to know.

it’s also useful to note that Bickley is geared towards 13+ so they don’t promote the 11+ leavers results or destinations. For various reasons we left at 11+ and didn’t receive much support in that regards. So preparing him for 11+ was down to us

Thank you @Vick21 for your prompt reply. How is your feeling about this school? I compare this school with Breaside prep. It seems Breaside is more academic focus. But It seems Bickley sports , extra-curriculum are more suitable for boys. .

Hi @Aprilzy5, I have a younger child due to start pre prep next academic year ( Bickley an option but not 1st choice) so have my hands in two stages. I did view Breaside put didn’t short list or apply my thoughts were the school is small eg classrooms, play ground school, they do get very good grades at 11 plus and are geared to the state grammars not really the private 11 plus. I did find the focus on 11 plus a little off putting and I have wanted my child to have a more rounded experience which Bickley provided for my eldest. It really depends on where you want your child to end up at 11 so grammar school is the aim the Breaside is a good option. I think it’s hard at reception where your child will end up, I will say the 11 plus process is brutal and like the fact schools that go up to 13 so there is option to go for 10+, 11+, 13+.

hopefully this helps

Bickley do offer a wide range of extra Curricular activities from film club, debate, chess to fencing, golf etc….. my eldest is very sporty but also tried the non sporty clubs too and enjoyed. Also they offer swimming too which you can do outside of school but most of the Extra Curricular activities were included in the fees

@Vick21 many thanks for sharing your experience with Bickley Park. I prefer Bickley as well. I did not know they offer debate club which makes me more favor this school. I guess your senior son enjoyed his time in this school. For me, the most important thing is to make my son feel happy not only focus on academic. I understand each school has its unique fantastic point. May I know what is the most thing you feel not satisfied about this school if there is any? By the way, I cannot find detailed leaver destination on their website but only five year average. It makes me a little worried about the academic part.😁

Hi @Aprilzy5 ,

I just realised why you can’t find the leavers destination on the website is because they send it out in a news letter at the end of the summer Term, maybe because of data protection they may not what to display it online as has the boys name, I am sure you can request the info and they can maybe send anonymised data

Bickley is fairly academic and the boys are pushed.

What I didn’t like was the fact the school didn't offer much support for the 11 plus process ( eg if your child failed they wouldn’t t support a headteachers appeal) and the focus is on the 13 plus process. They don’t do any time of leaving do/ assembly for those that leave before 13

@Vick21 thank you ! You are so nice and helpful! ;) I will think about it :)