Hampton, Halliford or Reeds for DS (11+) ??

[Leoness]

It's decision time!!
I have come down to these three schools. I've visited and looked at more, but these three are my short list. My DS is bright, above average but not driven academic. He is in a small catholic school, which he loves.
IMHO Hampton is the cutting edge school with all mod cons, excellent results and beyond great guidance and opportunities. However it seems it may be the most academic and the least nurturing. You are the best - it's up to you to stay the best, kinda attitude.
IMHO Reeds is academic but nurturing, it's expensive but covers everything. Great results throughout the school. A multitude of options with sport, music and extra curricular. The onward network is good at the school has a long -standing good reputation.
IMHO Halliford is smaller but very nurturing. A nice tidy school with excellent sport, art and music. Results are fine... about the 1/4 school SEND. I don't know much about the future onward from Halliford with respect to university placement and industry networking.
Can anyone help me with added information and thought please?
The weight of responsibility is heavy.
DS is sensitive but bright... I want him to be nurtured to his full potential and I worry that Hampton will be too much (pushy academic) and Halliford maybe too little (not pushed to potential) !
Reeds is very expensive but I couldn't obviously see where the money is spent - perhaps they spend it on the teaching, the school itself is tired in places. Hampton and Halliford are tidy, fresh and don't look so tired.
Thanks for all your sage knowledge
x

Well I suppose Hurricane I have asked the question - what would be the point of paying for the Halliford when he could go to Salesians that have better results for free. I think in my case, environment is very important as my DS is a particular character - in the right environment he is confident but equally in a bigger environment he may be overwhelmed.
Halliford is also geographically close to home, a 20min cycle up the towpath from Weybridge, so that's why I am considering it. It has a new head teacher and the vibe is very calm and nurturing. I can see why you'd think it silly to be considering it based on it results. I think 1/4 of the students have SEND...so the results probably reflect that, but it has good value added.
If you start with the cream of the crop (like Hampton do) then it's easier to maintain their fabulous results.
My DS is at a small church school and is kind and sensitive... he doesn't need SEND at all and I wonder if sending him to a gentle school, like Halliford (never heard it called rough before this thread, but I'm no expert - hence I'm here asking questions) will put him near the top of the achievers and therefore give him confidence and self worth.
I suppose if he was offered a place at Hampton he might find his stride and do exceptionally well, but equally, he may also scrape in and struggle to keep up and find the whole school experience stressful. I cannot tell until we see his results.
I have to take into consideration the environments because in my DS1's case I think it may make or break him. I have less worries with DS2 who is a different creature altogether.
I'm here as a single mum asking for thoughts and I appreciate all of them. Thank you

Thank you chaosreins. I think the onwards support from Reeds looks fabulous too. I am back to see Reeds only own again on Wednesday for a private tour and a chance to ask are questions.

dongledoo

I'm sort of bit confused by your post, sorry.

Hampton boys think Reeds are 'duffers' but you the school is against bullying but being condescending is fine.

Its definitely work considering what sort of boys the different schools turn out.

I'm looking for capable, well rounded, considerate, clever, assertive and kind.

*on my

Moz,

Thank you, your post is close to my own thoughts.

I do really feel that the point is, the man at the end of all this wants to have great opportunities and be genuinely bright and kind.

Who wants to be a parent of a damaged, megalomaniac genius?

It's such an important part of parenting to value the character of a person and be able to see how environments affect personality etc. to help create a polite, kind and hard-working man for the future.

thank you all for your input

dongledoo

And what do you think Reeds boys say about Hampton boys?? Not complimentary. Don't take inter-school rivalry seriously.

DS is in the Upper Sixth at Reeds, he has been there since 11. We chose it over 3 other schools, it has been great for him. The foundation to help the less fortunate is fantastic. Some of the fees go on that, but also there are many activities and the summer week away that are included, plus the benefits of it being a boarding school. Breakfast, lunch and often dinner when events are on are included. The medical centre is staffed with lovely experienced nurses who are very helpful (important for us). It is a family orientated, very involved school.

Leoness

If you are looking for capable, well rounded, considerate, clever, assertive and kind you will get it in spades at Reeds.

Leoness I'm not really sure I follow.

I can't really imagine there are many Y11 boys who act like UN representatives.

DS has friends at other schools and the level of 'banter' seems fairly similar. If you want a super-special snowflake type of environment perhaps you need Frensham Heights or something pointedly 'different'.

My DS2 will sit Hampton and Reeds and another 2 ones in west London. I have DS1 in Hampton, second year and he is really happy. He is a bright boy, very good at most of the subjects but also very competitive. I do not find the school very pushy and do not agree with your statement that it is not nurturing.
I have visited Reeds twice in the last three weeks and while I liked it for my DS2, I found it rather relaxed in all areas. Reeds would be our second choice if we had to choose.

As I said DS has SEN issues and is getting substantial support. A few other local schools when we visited seemed not to care less (RGS, St Georges).

dongledoo

You wrote: DS takes the piss out of Reeds as for duffers.

That's just plain rude. Boys may not be UN representatives but you don't have to repeat it. I didn't repeat what ds actually says about Hampton boys.

Leoness - you mention cycling from Weybridge. Have you considered St. George's College in Weybridge? It's mixed, but very nurturing. Similar to Reeds I would say.

1mum2boys -
thank you your's is just the kind of insight which is helpful to me.
Thank you
My DS is able, he finds maths and science easy - but isn't competitive.

MozThe Monster
Yes I looked carefully at St Georges, but it's not for us.

Hi, just seen this thread. Wondered if any of your boys did actually sit Reeds last weekend and if so how they found the exams and interviews. Desperately waiting for the Reeds results to come out.

Hi Leoness, just wonderful if your son did sit Reeds last weekend and if so how he found the exams and IV. A very stressful time for all waiting on the results😬

Wow just read this thread I hope that the posts haven't put you off the schools! My DS did RGS, Reeds and Hamptons. He got into all 3. My DS favoured Hamptons prior to the interview then totally went off the school ( I was relieved as it would've been hard to say no if he really wanted to go). Reeds was amazing, the head there is fantastic and yes it much calmer and nurturing than the more overtly academic schools but I think that is a good thing for bright boys that may be slightly less sure of themselves. RGS does look out for their boys and works hard if your DS has issues but unless they are up there bright they won't get in. I hope your DS did well and got a good feel for the schools when he did his exams.

@PeggyMummy

My DS did the Reed's exam last Sunday and the next 2 weeks seem endless until letters sent out don't they? My DS came out afterwards pretty positive (but then he generally is) and enjoyed the day. He feels he did his best so now just need to wait and see.

My son also came out very positive and thought he had done his best; but will just have to wait and see - how did your son find the exams and interview compared to other schools?

Exams pretty similar, maths easier (certainly easier than Hampton). Was his first interview which I think he enjoyed. He likes to talk so hopefully in his favour that interview is considered as part of whole process rather than done as a second stage. TBH though, who knows!!

Aren't there pre-tests for Reed's? You may be too late.

Some people do fail the Reed's pre-test. I know of nine from my son's prep.

Used to be the school for the local thick rich but less so now that the London day schools are so oversubscribed.

I also know from personal experience that there's a lot of very nasty bullying at Reed's, including physical. The school's response has been inadequate.

There is no specialist support for foundationers either some of whom come from very challenging backgrounds and need it.

I wouldn't consider it.

I just want to say to any parents reviewing this thread...
...these comments date from 2017..they are three years old.
These opinions of Halliford are outdated.
We have looked around all of these schools over the last two months 2019/2020- all parents should visit Halliford as it is a genuine contender for a first choice - above the others mentioned.

There has been a new head for a couple of years - they have invested incredibly across the board - their sports facilities were great and computer, theatre and arts facilities appeared brand new and plentiful. It is small and nurturing and has the added benefit of not being snobby. AND it supports all its boys rather than 'encourage them to leave' if their grades dip -like some of the other school mentioned on this thread.

The bubble that is the current school scramble has only intensified in the last three years - pushing up standards in all schools and in turn competition for places. Halliford should not be considered an easy option. It is still a challenge to get in.

In our opinion: after our school tour at Hampton, we felt that Hampton relys on its academic reputation rather than investing time, money and effort on their boys (and buildings). At the headmasters address at Hampton they wheeled out a panel of pupils, who the head didn't know and opened the floor to questions. When asked - "what would you change about the school"- one pupil said he was tired and wished it wasn't so pushy and competitive. You could sense the sharp intake of breath from all staff present. Not an environment for our child we decided.

Make up your own mind - don't believe outdated posts on here. Each child is different and they flourish in different environments.