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.

We have friends still there and they were told the night before the open day to send their children in in their PE Kit, so they could do forest school during the open day, bearing in mind 2 of her children are in year 1 and they haven’t done forest school in 18 months, they were given a day of forest school just for the open day so to give prospective parents the impression forest school is part of their curriculum (like most over preps) but in reality the children only do forest school in pre reception/reception because the school is too lazy and unorganised to carry it through. They also made them sing a ‘we love forest school’ song which seems very unhinged…

The year 6 is so small, when compared to St.Christophers, who also shared a year 6 residential and have close to 30 kids!

Sounds like an eventful open day! Full of polished promises and glossy brochures trying to hide the cracks. A school pretending to be a nurturing, modern, forest school-style haven but struggling to deliver. It’s clear teaching is a huge problem, with parents forced to rely on private tutors as well as paying fees - what is the point? Several new job posts, unhappy parents and the same old problems swept under the rug. Disaster.

Wow, This is so shocking but actually makes sense as I went to an open day and it felt so off and chaotic! It’s definitely off our list for sure.

Can I check which school you're referring to as I don't recognise this at all.

St David’s. Are you a parent at the school?

No, I'm a parent at Bickley Park and can highly recommend (which is why I was confused!)

Hi there,

No info on Braeside but I have close relatives at both St. C and St. D, West Wickham.

I have heard that St.D has many levers going to other local preps / states due to the quality of teaching at St.D, they’ve massively overfilled what once was a tiny, nurturing school to the point one of my grandsons classrooms is the headteachers old office and tiny. The current year six class only has 11 children vs 30+ at St Christopher’s.

The facilities do not compare either, St David have no library, no swimming lessons, very limited fixtures due to no school bus. St Christopher’s do swimming lessons at trinity, a gorgeous library and a school bus (as do many state schools)

visit both and see what you think, this is just my intel.

good luck!

wondered why St David’s Prep have turned google reviews off.

We have children currently at st david's prep bromley and our experience is nothing like that of those earlier in this thread. Our kids have thrived in this small school setting, growing in confidence from day one, as well as being challenged and supported academically.

I’m glad your children are doing well. Unfortunately, based on what’s been shared here, that’s not the case for everyone. St David’s Prep has serious issues that prospective parents shouldn’t overlook. If you’re happy to keep your head in the sand and overlook the poor teaching, weak curriculum and ineffective SLT, then stay and keep “thriving” there. I’m grateful I found this thread, it helped me make an informed decision and hopefully others can do the same.

Are those Google reviews authentic? Interesting the same phrases, “growing in confidence,” “nurturing,” “thriving” come up a lot in those reviews… and now a positive review on here 🤔 Makes you wonder how genuine they really are.

The above thread was brought to our attention by a prospective parent, who knew we had children at the school. They wanted to know if our experience was similar to those posted in this thread. As a current parent and having spoken with other parents of the school, we do not recognise the picture that some have painted of St David’s Bromley. On the contrary, we reiterate how confident, happy and challenged our children continue to be. We have certainly not ‘buried our heads in the sand’ when determining if the children are getting the most out of their education and pastoral care there, especially as we moved them to St David’s from another school.

I have 2 children at st David’s prep - 1 almost finishing and the other just starting. I’m absolutely shocked at some of what I’m reading!
the teachers are lovely, the children are happy, the facilities are being overhauled currently, the outdoor space is exceptional….do I need to go on!?! My eldest isn’t the most academic child, but he is supported to try his hardest and to do his best-which is all we can ask as parents surely!!!
while no school is absolutely perfect, these are obviously a couple of disgruntled ex parents.
leaver destinations are on the website for all to see. I would say to also bear in mind the effect vat has had on parents who may have had to make difficult decisions about where their child is going to go-it is not always about the result that the child gets, sometimes it’s also about affordability!!!!!
am astonished at the negativity

Probably because it seems like a couple of ex parents with a vendetta have been targeting the school!
The parents of kids at the school currently don’t recognise the school portrayed in these nasty and vindictive comments

Erm, there is a library?? And there’s a new one planned too for September in the new building which is nearing completion!
the swimming lessons were held at West Wickham pools, which was closed suddenly last year. Most of the kids at school swim privately-as can easily be seen at the swimming gala held at trinity.
re the fixtures, this year has been a game changer re fixtures with my son being to at least 1 every couple of weeks.
yes, true there is no minibus

Interesting - assume you haven’t looked at the leavers destinations on their website and also aren’t talking from experience.

Interesting how another post says this about st Christopher’s too but no one badmouthing them in the same way

I’m interested to hear about these so called bad experiences! As a parent at the school currently (and have been for 6 years), I am not seeing this at all!

Im confused-you’re not a parent at the school-you decided against sending your child to st David’s, yet you’re still feeling the need to badmouth it?

Again, this is all hearsay for you-you have said in a previous post that you are not a parent at the school.
why are you continuing to badmouth based on hearsay!

Again, badmouthing based on hearsay! For anyone reading this, this is not a parent at st David’s prep.
parents at the school currently do not recognise this summary of the school!

Again, badmouthing based on hearsay! For anyone reading this, this is not a parent at st David’s prep.
parents at the school currently do not recognise this summary of the school!

Interesting - assume you haven’t looked at the leavers destinations on their website and also aren’t talking from experience.

I’m interested to hear about these so called bad experiences! As a parent at the school currently (and have been for 6 years), I am not seeing this at all!

I understand your frustration and your passion whether you are a member of staff or a parent of the school. However, it is equally important to respect and accept other people’s experiences and perspectives regarding the school.

Providing feedback based on personal experience should not result in being targeted or attacked simply because you may not like what is said.

It’s also worth noting that many of the former parents have chosen to send their children to schools with significantly higher fees, so this is clearly not an issue related to the cost of living.

From my perspective, your comments appear quite biased. And as a parent at St David’s myself, I can confirm that, yes, the feedback shared does indeed come from genuine St David’s parents.

Please do not mislead others.