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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Bromley secondaries (independent) - all nearby schools considered!

45 replies

WellTidy · 22/09/2018 12:13

Looking for views on:

Bishop Challenor, Shortlands
Farringtons, Chislehurst
Colfes, Lee
St Dunstans, Catford
Trinity, Croydon

Particularly looking for views on ease/difficulty of getting a place in year 7. DS is bright but unlikely to pass the state grammar 11 plus. We need a school that will push him academically, but with really good pastoral support. He has possibly dyspraxia and ASD tendencies, but not enough for diagnosis. He is gentle, sensitive, not at all streetwise, enjoys learning and reading and football.

OP posts:

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WellTidy · 29/09/2018 11:46

Thank you very much for the feedback on colfes, Bishop Challenor, farringtons and trinity.

I had considered Eltham College, but have dismissed it for DS as I felt it put too much pressure on boys to be high achieving in everything they need. Just my take on it with my DS in mind.

Bromley high is just girls so no good for me. There isn’t a high chance of DS passing st olaves, whatever the catchment is. Chis and Sid is a Bexley grammar, and is covered through their 11 plus.

Every independent secondary school has an entrance exam, I am realising!

OP posts:

LadyLapsang · 29/09/2018 15:08

Have you decided on your choices for the state options?

PettsWoodParadise · 29/09/2018 15:22

You don’t have to live in Bexley to attend a Bexley Grammar. If you pass the test outside of the top 180 it is then done on distance and some come out miles and many Bromley borough residents children attend Bexley grammars.

WellTidy · 29/09/2018 16:53

PettsWood we are unlikely to be in catchment, based on previous years, and DS’ birth year was a bulge year. The extra classes that we’re created in existing primaries to accommodate that hasn’t been replicated in secondaries, so catchments will shrink. DS won’t come within the top 180, he is unlikely to pass the 11 plus.

We have decided on a state secondary modern but see it as a last resort. There is also a Bickley Park which boys can attend to 13 which is another last resort type option for us, as we would rather he go to secondary at 11yo.

OP posts:

LadyLapsang · 29/09/2018 19:11

The boys always look happy going to Bickley Park in the morning and as someone who was educated in a three tier system, I think changing school at 13 can work well. I suppose the issue would be if he is not of the standard to pass the 11 plus, where would be go at 13? However, That must be a common issue so I sure they will be able to advise.

Rebecca36 · 29/09/2018 20:56

PettsWood, kids go to Chis and Sid who don't live in Bexley. I know two who went there and live in Greenwich. They didn't do the 11+ but passed the school's entrance exam.

A very good comprehensive is Coopers in Chislehurst.

CharltonLido73 · 29/09/2018 21:51

Bromley has some very good state comprehensives.

PettsWoodParadise · 29/09/2018 22:21

Rebecca36 the Bexley entrance test is the same for all the Bexley grammars so the DCs you know must have done a test even if they were in year. As I posted you don’t have to live in Bexley to go to a Bexley Grammar it is either score in top 180 or distance. Townley (no use to OP who has DS) used to come out miles but as OP says the distances no longer come out as far due to higher numbers in recent cohort years. It is putting a lot of pressure on secondaries and some of the good state schools that used to cover areas no longer cover these and there are increasing black holes in the borough that didn’t previously exist.

charltonlido17 it is a good point about Bromley having some good state offerings but if you are in a black hole then these won’t help. We moved from independent to state so know that independent isn’t always as good as state but it very much depends on the. Hold and the local options.

Back to the OP’s original question about experience of independent schools...

PettsWoodParadise · 29/09/2018 22:21

Sorry meant CharltonLido73, not 17!

Rebecca36 · 30/09/2018 00:12

Yes the ones I know living in Greenwich did a test to get into Chis and Sid. Not the 11+ because Greenwich don't have that but an exam all the same.

My only personal experience of local independent schools are Eltham College and Colfe's but the op doesn't think they would be right for her son. Fair enough.

Back to drawing board.

chalkyc2 · 30/09/2018 08:33

Oh have just posted a similar-ish question on the main education board!!

My son is year 5 so we have a bit of time but we are looking at Colfes and Eltham but I need to get a realistic handle on where my son really is at academically! Trinity I have decided is too far from us and the road between Locksbottom and Croydon is hideous all the time. St Dunstans again too far I think.

Farmington's has its own entrance exam like all the others - it's maybe earlier though in November?

We will be on the edge of Chis and Sid catchment but I think might give the Bexley test a go. Like you OP I have pretty much discounted St Olaves but need to talk to my sons tutor and teacher this term.

It's all rather stressful! We are also considering Ravenswood and Bullers boys.

chalkyc2 · 30/09/2018 08:34

Farringtons I mean!!

WellTidy · 01/10/2018 10:19

Rebecca Anyone attending a grammar school in Bexley (including Chis and Sid), regardless of where they live, will have passed the Bexley 11 plus. We have discounted Eltham for DS, but would love Colfes.

chalky The Farringtons exam is indeed November. But what I don't know is whether you have to accept any offer made by Farringtons before the results of the other independents are known.

DS has sat Bexley but we don't expect anything from that.

Bullers Wood boys is the state school back up for us.

OP posts:

chalkyc2 · 01/10/2018 10:28

@WellTidy - No I'm afraid I'm
Not sure re Farringtons either. My boys are currently in the junior school there so it's also an option for us - I will try and find out.

Let us know how things go...we must live quite close by!

WellTidy · 01/10/2018 19:35

I’ve asked chalky and they said you don’t have to accept or reject places at farringtons until March. I’m not sure if that is the same for scholarship places.

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MrsPatmore · 02/10/2018 07:53

Yes, it will be the same for scholarship places.

AnneElliott · 02/10/2018 07:59

Agree that coopers is a good school. They have a grammar stream and good support for students.

CharltonLido73 · 02/10/2018 19:55

It's all rather stressful! We are also considering Ravenswood and Bullers boys.
Ravens Wood is back on the up after a slight dip a couple of years ago.
The Head Teacher is excellent and the boys are very happy to be there. Plenty of support offered, especially at KS4 in terms of GCSE prep.
Especially good for boys who are into sport.

School2010 · 03/09/2019 23:15

Colfes are rated at bottom of secondary independent schools.. 148/150 ... so can’t be that academic??

✕

WellTidy · 04/09/2019 12:13

This thread is over a year old! I was surprised to see it resurrected. Where are you getting your 148/150 from please?

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