Chigwell or Bancroft

[HazelMoose]

Hey Everyone,

I have seen a few posts on here in the previous years in regard to Bancroft and Chigwell but I was hoping to gain some updated advice and personal experiences from other parents.

Our child has been sent an offer for both schools and we are really struggling to make a decision as both schools seem amazing.

We have heard that Bancroft is better academically and Chigwell is more of an all-rounder but would love to hear more insight and some more Pro’s and Con’s. Perhaps about the food options, school clubs, how the teachers and other children are, how their children like the school etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

Both are excellent. You don't say whether this is 7+ or 11+ but children at both schools are generally very happy and seem to thrive. Bancrofts is seriously academic and will expect a huge commitment academically, as well as in extra-curricular terms. Very competitive in sports.

Chigwell is more holistic in my view, the pastoral side is very good. This is not to say that it isn't academically good, motivated children do extremely well academically but there's more room for the ones who excel at sports/music/drama etc. The sporting facilities are exceptional but obviously you will know that! I'd say the new head is a real asset, he's exerted the discipline that was somewhat lacking but is still a very approachable man. He's really going to take the school places, I think.

Food is good at both, there's always pasta, a choice of hot courses, salad and pudding. They don't go hungry. There is a wealth of extracurricular at both, literally almost anything you can think of. Chigwell has a new wellbeing centre and pastoral lead, which has been extremely well-received.

I don't know if you're coming from a state environment or are already in the prep system but it will be intense, with long hours and at the weekend. Make sure you're prepared for that. Whichever you choose will be wonderful for your child, all the best!

Agree with much of this except:

• food at Bancroft's is decidedly average (at best)
• lots of sport and variety of sporting options, but mostly seems to be for the vibes

The food menus, and the lack of daily availability, at Bancrofts is very disappointing. As its included in the fees it looks like they make little effort with range of food available. And to not have any way of buying snacks anything else after lunch time is absurd for a secondary school!

Chigwell is not at all great with SEN kids in my view. The teaching quality has also gone downhill.