Chigwell or Forest schools?

[newmum0808]

I'm thrilled that's my DD has been offered places at both Chigwell and Forest schools. Chigwell was our clear preference until recently when DD has decided she wants to go to Forest.
Does anyone have any recent experience of either?
All advice and opinions gratefully received. Thank you

DD was at Forest from pre-prep to 16 when she decided to move to 6th form elsewhere. She left three years ago. I loved the school until the last couple of years when I felt it became a bit too marketing focussed and overtly commercial. I would have been totally happy for DD to stay there but she wanted to try somewhere with a stronger science and maths profile and with hindsight she was probably right. We didn’t like Chigwell. DD had lots of contact through sports and mutual friends and always found it a bit Towie. I am sure lots of people love it and there were certainly some nice people there but it seemed a bit brash and didn’t have the social breadth that Forest has. Academically they are probably similar although Forest has had real success with medicine, vet and places at conservatoires if any of that is your DD’s thing!!

My daughter was at Forest from prep to A Levels and she is studying Medicine. I like the mixture of students at Forest. I find that it helps to keep them grounded. And according to my son, who is also at Forest the students at Chigwell are rich but dumb.

I have a child at Chigwell and that last statement is a pile of crap. HTH.

Allegedly it is less diverse than Forest. Forest is a much bigger school though. Many people in our area have children at both schools and tend to be happy with both but for different reasons.

OP I am about to accept a Forest offer for my other DC for various reasons too outing to say here.

Hi we have a similar dilema having been offered 4+ at both schools for Sept 2020. We didn't expect our dc to pass both assessments back in November. We always had Forest in mind. We love the location, curriculum and class sizes. However we then saw Chigwell school after moving to Woodford and were very impressed. It seems supportive and the facilities are great. We know we're lucky to even have this choice. Forest is slightly more expensive ( we're not rich but both work full time). We're wondering about diversity at Chigwell and also any experience of the pre prep at either school? Struggling to decide between the 2. Thanks