Beaconsfield primaries

[Threebecomesfour]

Hi all I've just done the open day merry go round and have formed some opinions of the 3 state primary schools. Does anyone here have any experience of St Mary's, Butler's Court or Holtspur?

Are you likely to get in to all 3?

The better performing schools are St Mary & All Saints snd Butlers Court. The government info site tells you this. It also shows SEN to be higher at Holtspur so that could dent their results. Most higher attaining DC are at St Mary’s but Butlers Court is a close second.

I used to know these schools years ago when I worked in the area. Which one did you prefer? I haven’t looked at admissions criteria but would you have free choice? What does Bucks CC say about admissions in previous years re admissions criteria and distance etc?

Thanks for replying.
Likely to get into St Mary's and Butler's Court luckily.
Yep I've seen the government website re results.
I suppose I was after a more overall impression including pastoral care from parents with kids there.
St Mary's last Ofsted report was 10 years ago so not sure if the 'outstanding' grade still holds.

I would discount an Ofsted report from 10 years ago. However I cannot give you any more info. Although when you look round you should see engaged children, activities in addition to the national curriculum, sports teams and after school clubs, a well ordered school and a head who gives you confidence. Teaching quality is harder to judge but these schools are getting decent results.

I think parents might have views on pastoral care but it’s something I never gave a thought to years ago. I see the well-being of children to be part of everyday life at school. I expect policies to be followed and I don’t expect to hear parents grumbling outside the school!

If your DC goes to a nursery in Beaconsfield you can see what those parents think about pastoral care. If I’m honest; I think if you have a well run school, children largely behave well towards others because expectations are high and teachers naturally care about the children. In Beaconsfield I cannot see why these schools wouldn’t care for the children and follow the policies they have for promoting good behaviour.

Sorry please ignore this rant as it will probably not help you and may not be relevant. But I have to say it anyway.

I live in this area and have kids at school both primary and secondary.
If I could start again I would move far away from grammar school areas. I hate it all. The stress on kids at a young age. In a class of 30 that I know of in a Beaconsfield grammar , 10 girls are on antidepressants.

Not to even mention the self harm and nastiness.

God I wish I could go back in time

I too live in Bucks. No child is forced to take the 11 plus. I feel very strongly that parents bring this on their children. Why take if unless you are probably going to pass? Parents are to blame and of course can make choices. One of mine took it and one didn’t. Some parents go overboard about it some don’t. But no one is forced to join in.

Also it’s worth remembering that Bucks grammars are some of the best schools in the country. But of course parents should review what they want. I didn’t pay for tutoring. DD and me worked through some books on VR. We kept it low key. Others don’t. But that’s their choice.

@TizerorFizz

I too live in Bucks. No child is forced to take the 11 plus. I feel very strongly that parents bring this on their children. Why take if unless you are probably going to pass? Parents are to blame and of course can make choices. One of mine took it and one didn’t. Some parents go overboard about it some don’t. But no one is forced to join in.

I agree that no one is forced to take the 11+ but the non grammars in these areas are no longer truly mixed ability schools

? Well of course they are not in the truest sense. But everyone in Bucks knows that! My old grammar was established in the 1400’s. It’s hardly a new situation!

However there are numerous secondary modern schools in Bucks with over 30% high achievers. This makes them better than many comprehensive schools. So at least look at the stats before you dismiss these schools. Many are very good.