Question about Halliford School

[NoushieMin]

I am just wanting to find out a bit more information about Halliford School. I see a lot of people have it on their list along with schools such as Reed's, Epsom College, St John's, St Geroge's, CFC. But when comparing their results I was quite surprised to find that their results appear no better than your average state school or in some cases worse (A-level AAB attainment was 11% in 2024 vs a local/national average of 17%).
Despite this people seem to rave about the school. I appreciate people want to have a range of schools and have a safety school but I'm just wondering if i'm missing something?

I’d be interested to know the answer to this too

Halliford mum here. I'm surprised to see those results actually. I'm a Halliford fan. I chose it for the fact that it's small and nurturing. Recognises students for who they are. May not get the top results but will get the best out of each student. It's hard to describe the school. It has a feel about it. A real sense of them wanting to do the right thing. Led from the top. So no it may not get the highest results. You'd need to look at the likes of RGS and Hampton for that. I guess it depends on why you choose to go independent. For me it was about choosing the right school for my son. Not necessarily about getting all As or 9s. He's on track to do really well in his GCSEs and is being pushed to do so.

I've checked. In 2024 55% of a level results were A*-B.

Yeah I really do hear lots of people singing its praises and it does sound like such a wonderful school. It just makes it even more surprising that they are it getting as good results as the National average state school results. It just feels like it doesn’t really make sense with the smaller classes and brilliant teachers who are invested in getting the best out of the pupils.

I also heard that a lot of the pupils don’t stay for A levels and go into Esher college.

I’m definitely still interested in the school as my child’s happiness and wellbeing is my number one priority. I’m just trying to make sense of why the grades wouldn’t be higher under those conditions.

RGS and Hampton are very academically selective. As Halliford is less so the results are likely to be less stellar.

My son passed the 10 plus at Hampton several years ago but went to Sutton grammar. He’s done really well and it was right for him. SG was very nurturing then. Not sure about now

Throughout the whole school application process I realised that what matters is what the school offers your individual child. That’s what is key.

Many top academic independents will stop borderline pupils sitting exams if they are borderline. Because they live or die by stellar results

But as far as I can see the grades are way higher than the national average? And many boys stay on to sixth form. Plus they take girls in too.

Unfortunately their A-level results in 2024 were below the National average (AAB attainment was 11% in 2024 vs a local/national average of 17%).

I'm only repeating what i read on another thread about lots of 6th formers leaving to attend Esher College, so wanted to ask if that was true or not.

The website says 55% so I don't understand where you're getting that from? With regards to lots leaving I think about 35 took a levels that year. Not sure how many this year. But I think we are seeing lots now leaving private to move to state for 6th form. Partly due to VAT

Halliford parent here. My son started in September after seeing what felt like every school in a wide radius. He couldn't be happier and is already making friends. The standards of expected behaviour and effort are high. Whatever the child’s academic profile (and by the way it’s still tough to get a place) the focus is on effort and mindset and achieving the best for each individual child.
The communication that comes out of school is exceptional and far surpasses any I’ve seen or heard about from friends with kids at other independent schools which is invaluable for busy families.
My son was offered a place at the three different schools we applied for, some more academic but we chose Halliford for its ethos and the fact that it is small and nurturing and truly understands what boys need to thrive in the first 5 years of senior school.
My understanding of the 6th form leavers is that it’s driven by cost for some families of course but also by the boys themselves, some of whom are drawn to the greater independence that they get from going to a 6th form college where they don’t necessarily need to be in school for 8:30am if they don’t have a lesson till late in the morning.
Best thing to do is go along to the next open day and ask the tough questions. The academic reaults you’re mentioning are not accurate I don’t believe but ask them for a full breakdown. Good luck on your decision, it’s not easy! Happy to answer any questions, just PM me.

Halliford parent here! About half of the year group stay each year with most of the rest choosing to go to co-ed (fair enough after 5 years in an all boy environment). Halliford take a broad range of anbilities and have a value add of 0.9 which is VERY impressive. There are much more academic schools than Halliford who score lower in value add (Reeds is 0.2 for example) but I think most of us at Halliford want a lot more than just good academics for our sons. I want a school that genuinely cares, brings out the best in my son and pushes him to the best of his abilities and doesn’t turf out children for 6th form who score less that a 6/7 Incase it skews their a’level stats.
The brightest boys are also put on a special programme to push them more and the rest are pushed in a nice way.
Sports are good, co-curricular is impressive for the size of the school and the boys are nice to be around. My son had 6th form offers from St George’s , Claremont and Reeds for but he has chosen to stay.
i guess what I’m trying to say is that if your main concern is purely academic, then Halliford is not the school for you. If you want a well rounded, happy, supported son who is pushed to the best of his abilities, then you won’t go wrong at this school.
Someone said in another thread that Hampton boys are confident , Halliford produces gentlemen and I think that’s bang on the money.

Perfect summary. And interesting to read about the value add score which I didn't know.

Another Halliford parent here - all beautifully explained above - Halliford doesn't offer to the top % of exam scores like the other boys schools, they take from across the academic board. They interview boys before the entrance exam and call themselves softly selective or something like that. They don't publish their results widely because this is not their USP - The head will be as proud of the boy who worked hard for 9 x 9s as the one who worked hard for 1 x 9 or whatever his best is. If you want high pressure and a room of 9 x 9s there are plenty of options available. My son could have been a nameless student at Reeds but instead the Head knows his name, knows his best achievements and he gets to shine. Chosing private is such a responsiblity these days and I can only say there isn't a day I doubt this choice for our son. I wish there was an equivalent for our daughter. My main concern before joining was the school was academically soft and this couldn't have been further from the truth, he is pushed just the right amount and standards expected are high and appropriate for each boy. We love it. Happy to answer any DMs.

Another Halliford parent here and in total agreement with all PP - Halliford is not the right school for families driven by academic supremacy, or wanting to brag about what school they send their child to. It has found the perfect niche in a market/locality full of identikit private schools vying to be top of league tables and I am delighted we found it. I know my son, who will be staying on to sixth form, will reach his academic potential at the school but most importantly emerge a kind, considerate and balanced young man. I can't imagine many parents who meet the head would not be impressed by him either.