Bromley prep schools- st Chris, st David's or breaside

[ParrotDance]

In the early stages of researching prep schools for a move to Bromley. Don't even know where spaces will be but keen to get initial views on these preps in the Bromley/Beckenham area.

Keen for co-ed and prep for both private seniors or grammars. St Chris would be our nearest.

It might just be me but all the preps seem less polished and smaller than in the area we are moving from? Not necessarily a bad thing, just making narrowing down hard.

if you are aiming for grammers I would avoid st David’s - it is not academic and likely to end up at a local comp for secondary

st Christophers - there’s a number of children
heavily tutored in the final couple of years so if you don’t mind paying extra for this that’s another option!

breaside - gets the results (check leavers destinations) and there’s quite a waiting list to join which speaks for itself..

From your list, Braeside barring any SEN. What about Bishop Challoner?

Thanks. We were keen on breaside but unsure we'll get in out of normal entry points.

Is St Chris much less academic then? I heard the new head is good. The house we are offering on is very close to it.

@ParrotDance Probably too late, but writing in case anyone new is looking for details on St Christopher’s the Hall. There is a relatively new head who has arrived from prestigious Fulham prep school Bute, which is v highly regarded all over London. Our daughter started at SCTH in September and we can honestly say we are so happy with the school and teachers. St Christopher’s is very focussed on polishing the individual child, which shines through the leavers list, with each child matched to a school that suits them best. We were really impressed with this approach as no parent really knows what their child is capable of by the age of 8 and not all children are hyper academic. Hope that helps anyone thinking about SCTH.

@Monster80

Your new head was Deputy at Bute. I'm not criticising, but its a bit misleading post, as I thought your school had landed Butes ex head, I know you didn't write that and I'm sure its a great school.

Also Bute its in Hammersmith , Brook Green, not Fulham.😉

@Gr33nS0uL

Your post is a bit odd saying St Davids feeds 'local comps' , out of 18 leavers ( which is average for St Davids class size) I can't see the numbers going to local state schools ( of which there's nothing wrong with that)

12 headed to Indies, which included Whitgift, Caterham, JAGS, Old Palace and Woldingham

5 went to top grammar schools

And only 1 went to state school, Riddlesdown Collegiate which is outstanding and run like private/grammar school in all but name and lack of fees.

Apologies if we're talking about different schools, I'm talking about St Davids in Woodcote Valley Road, Purley.

@Doubtmyself No it’s a different St Davids as title suggests it’s the St Davids Prep in Bromley not in Purley I was referring to. Sadly St David’s in Bromley doesn’t get those impressive leavers results and would be lucky to get even half.

@Doubtmyself I said SCTH’s head arrived from Bute House, I didn’t say ‘Bute House’ head has recently arrived? The exact wording to avoid any further confusion for you was: ‘There is a relatively new head who has arrived from prestigious Fulham prep school Bute’.

Brook Green is located in the London borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. However, just so you don’t have to doubt yourself any further, this thread is entitled ‘Bromley prep schools’ not ‘Croydon prep schools’ - now there are two entirely different boroughs - so why would you have thought a Croydon school was being discussed?

Please do feel free to start a new thread called ‘Croydon Prep Schools’. As you can see from others responses to you on this thread - you don’t appear to have anything useful to contribute?

Wow! What a mauling!!

I was claryfing your post, not attacking it!! I suggest you re-read my post!!!, the location correction was said in a fun spirited way for goodness sake!

As someone with a niece at Bute I know a fair bit about the school and read your post incorrectly (which I stated) I didn't suggest anything else !!

Take a chill pill and drop the aggression, there's no need.

We moved from central London and were looking at Bromley and Purley a while ago(Not exactly a million miles from each other), so thus the interest in the post from OP.

I thought so, apologies to jump in!

@ParrotDance did you make a decision? We are torn between Christophers Hall and Breaside. Both very different but like both equally.

You haven't looked at Bickley Park, Ashgrove, or Farringtons?

Several pupils from the local state primaries in Bromley go to St Davids for Y6 to avoid SATS and then go back into state secondary (Langleys)
Are you really rich? If not the area has good state primaries...

Did you decide OP? I have liked Breaside too. Have you looked at Bromley High? Wanted to know if others on here have opinions about either, both or any advice between Breaside and Bromley High? We loved Breaside at the first instance but meeting teachers and going for taster sessions Bromley High seemed really good too. Only concerns was lack of diversity (?) and I might be wrong here but what seemed like it, girls school and through school so no prep for 11+. But would love to hear thoughts please!

If grammers are your preference for secondary then Breaside might be a better option?

Also worth mentioning in regards to OP’s original post who was considering St David’s - although it appears nurturing, diverse and inclusive there are issues with how they deal with bullying and racism in the school. Big red flag for me.

Late to the party, but just wanted to say - St David's Prep in Bromley sends many leavers off to great schools, you can see leavers destinations on their site - many top schools there. I'm confused as to where the 'not academic' reputation has come from.

We've had a very positive experience at Breaside, despite our child, who has SEN, not being their usual type of student.

A lot of parents feel pressure at St David’s, panic at year 5 (once they realise how behind their child is) and get tutors…so very likely reason why leavers destination show the “top schools”

Would also love to see a breakdown of those leavers destinations…the school is known to stretch the truth with those results eg it’s actually one child that got several offers as opposed to every child receiving an offer…

It’s on the school’s site.

I know this is an old thread but seeking advice about people’s experiences with these schools too, especially St David’s Prep.

I posted in my local Facebook group about the school and really worried about some of the responses I’ve had back. I need to make a decision quite soon and I don’t want to lose a place but equally don’t want to lose a deposit too!

Especially keen to hear from those who actually have/had children at the school not just on rumours or gossip please. Please feel free to pm me instead.

Just like to thank all the parents who have taken the time to private message me their experiences of St David’s. Harrowing reading some of messages which have actually answered my suspicions about the school; inexperienced and unqualified teachers, below par teaching, serious issues of bullying. Plus a recent Influx of children leaving for other local prep schools. Really hoping the school addresses these issues as it’s really worrying. I had a lucky escape!

@Sim321 You’ve made the correct choice honestly, so many leavers and a very toxic SLT.

Have you considered Bickley Park? Lovely school and now co-ed.

Did anyone attend the recent open day? Were the school’s known issues or lack of diversity in some year groups addressed? Photos show only two boys in the entire Year 6 class, quite worrying…