Blue Coat and Hallfield schools in Birmingham - any views?

[englishpatient]

Would love to know positive and negative opinions on both these schools from any parents/ex-parents/ex-pupils. Thank you.

I nannied for a little girl who went to Blue - she was very happy, confident and bright. Used to love going to school in the morning! The teachers were always very nice - had time to talk to you and were extremely patient when hiccups in nanny/parent communication happened.

Her mother told me that when she went to the nursery there she was a bit of a whimpering wallflower. I honestly couldn't believe that it was the same girl I knew!

Thank you frAKKINPannikin. How long ago was that? Did she stay there right from nursery to end of prep?

I left nearly 2 years ago (2 years next month where does the time go!!). As far as I know she's still there and would be in Year 5 now.

hallfield was (don't know if it is still) very formal - I went for a job there a few years ag0 (4 ish years ago) and they had their year 1s copying off the blackboard.

don't know about Hallfield but my friend's mum teaches at Bluecoat and lots of my friends went there and loved it.

my niece won a full scholarship to bluecoat at 8 years old and transferred from her state primary where there were 30 kids in the class. she was also very unconfident but loved reading. They saw the potential and it has been a great environment for her. we were worried about her fitting in as my family are firmly 'working class' but she has many friends who have been very welcoming.
She leaves in a couple of weeks and is going to King Edwards Camp Hill. She was offered a full scholarship for EHS and also a place at KE high but my sis couldnt afford the fees even with a partial bursary. Basically I dont think she would have had a sniff of a chance without her schooling at blue coat. I picked her up once and the facilities were fantastic.
I don't know about Hallfield either I'm afraid. good luck

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dont say you werent warned.

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no problem. I as rather alramed to realise you thought I might be serious!
hope today is better

I thought you were talking about EHS and found myself nodding my head in agreement

Thank you everyone. oneofakind - brilliant to hear about your niece: Blue Coat obviously suited her down to the ground! I was very impressed when I looked round there. We are going to look round Hallfield next week. Thanks for the additional suggestions, dilemma456, I will look into the other coed/boys' schools.