Hockerill Anglo European school - catchment minefield?

[momumental]

We're hoping to move to Hertfordshire shortly and are interested in Hockerill as our DDs are bilingual and we like the language focus. The catchment area seems to be a complete minefield though, with hardly any children getting in from the designated primary schools? Do you have to live on the school's doorstep to be sure of getting a day place?

The problem is there are only about 70 day places and once you have teachers children, DCs who did well in the language aptitude test and a few siblings in that number there aren't many left to go around. I know people who have paid for day boarding as a way of getting in but other than it is distance to the school but judged against everyone else from your group of primary schools.

Thanks, Webwiz, that's helpful to know. Do the people who pay for it as a way of getting in actually send their children off to board even though they live nearby? Even if we had the money to do that, I don't think I could bring myself to do it...

The language aptitude test seems like a bit of a lottery so I don't want to hold out much hope on that front.
Do you or anyone else have any advice on other good Hertfordshire secondary schools that they would be happy to share?

momumental if you want to PM me about Bishop Stortford schools I can fill you in on the latest hearsay and gossip !

Thanks so much, will do. All info, whether hearsay, gossip or gospel truth much appreciated!

Ditto me.

Very similar situation, I will pm you now.

I know this thread is a bit old but I would also appreciate any information on secondary schools in BS. It is likely that we will be relocating to Hertfordshire in the near future and we are considering BS to start with.

Blessingchild 'I know this thread is a bit old but I would also appreciate any information on secondary schools in BS. It is likely that we will be relocating to Hertfordshire in the near future and we are considering BS to start with.'

Aaaagggghhhhhhhhh.

See my post about schools in this area.

Just to clarify paying for day boarding isn't really a way to get in. There only a handful of places and massively oversubscribed so unless you have a very strong reason for needing day boarding chances are very low (albeit higher than the aptitude test route)