Independent primary schools on Croydon/ Warlingham/ Caterham.

[Schoolingsoson]

Hi all, does anyone have any thoughts on Seaton House School vs Croydon High vs Warlingham Park school vs Caterham please? We are in South Croydon and are looking at indie primaries and can afford private secondaries too thankfully but ideally leaning to grammars for secondaries. Looking for a school that is focused on academics but also all round nurturing and has good extra curricular activities. Would appreciate any thoughts on these schools ( and others!)

Caterham Senior School has stopped the 11+ for the children coming up from Caterham Prep which might influence your decision one way or another. It has masses of co-curricular once they hit Year 3 plus breakfast & homework clubs.

Hi @SoGladofYou thank you for your response! Do you mean they stop preparing students for the 11+ and examinations for other indies? I have also heard that you are also at risk of being asked to leave and there is no automatic entry from prep to Senior school..

@Schoolingsoson
The abandonment of the requirement to sit the 11+ is for pupils at Caterham Prep and the reason given by the Head is that the teaching in the Prep Is so wonderful now that there is no need.

All pupils will be invited through, but it is possible that some may receive a ‘conditional offer’. Previously, parents would be given the (diplomatic) word in Year 5 or 6 to look for a different senior school either on grounds of behaviour or likelihood that they might struggle with the curriculum. Now they are to be told that their child can have one or two years at senior school in order to establish. But if they don’t then ‘thrive’ one or two years down the line, it will be suggested by School, that somewhere else might suit their child better.

External candidates will still be expected to sit the 11+ and go through an interview process.