Newstead Woods v Bullers Wood

[CleopatrasMum]

DD is in year 5 so we are starting to consider options and whether to put her in for 11+ in Kent/Bexley, Newstead Woods entrance etc. We live within the current catchment for Bullers Wood Girls school but obviously catchments are not a given and I think sibling priority now also applies between BW Boys and BW girls so could change things.

But my question really is, assuming for a minute that DD were to pass the NW entrance exam and we have a genuine choice between schools, does anyone have a view on whether Bullers or Newstead is a better school for a child who is bright and does well and is conscientious, but not driven by academic pursuits (prefers the ipad to a book, for example)? We visited both schools and liked them both, but just can't place one above the other.

I do realise it is all down to the individual child but some pointers on recent experiences would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

DTs are in Y4 but we have thought a lot about this already and we won't consider NW. Bullers is a fab school, has always had a great reputation and supports able and less able girls equally well.

NW has had some really mixed reviews in recent years especially with regard to pastoral care and I think unless you really are mega academic it's little more than a results driven machine.

The sibling link does cross over between the boys and girls school, as does priority to teacher's children.

The boys school is I think a great asset to the girls as well, they have already had some mixed events and the girls are getting an opportunity to do stuff they haven't before re sports etc.

Totally outing but DH teaches at the boys school.

Thanks so much @inwood. Good.to know about the boys school doing so well (esp from an insider) as I have a toddler son to think of too ( who sadly also wont get sibling priority due to age gap). My worry on that score is just that while we live well within catchment on previous years data (pre- boys school) that could all shrink hugely when the boys' sisters are taken into account) so we need to be seriously considering other options which tbh I wasn't really until that issue occurred to me this morning! Your feedback on NW is helpful too thanks and agrees with other views I have heard. Many thanks

Hi OP, what a lovely choice to have!

Disclaimer: DS is at St Olave’s and DD1 is at NW - years 11 and 9. I have friends with daughters at Bullers Wood.

From my point of view, both my kids’ schools suffer somewhat reputation-wise on line, and I remember how worried I was when considering them both. Exam factories and poor pastoral care were concerns raised by many posters. (Not usually 1st hand experience.)

Now both kids have been there a couple years, and with many friends at a variety of SE London and Bromley state, academy grammar and indie schools, I realise how anecdotal all of this is (whilst sharing my own anecdotal opinion now 😉). Some parents have loved Kingsdale, some have not. Some have loved Langley Girls, some have not - my 1st born had a pretty poor time at primary school, my other 2 have really enjoyed it.

Back to your post: I have not found NW (or St O) to be an exam factory or poor on a pastoral level. They are both quite quiet, rather shy, and can be anxious - I contacted St O in y7 and NW in y7 and y8, and they were amazing: support from form tutor, head of year, head of pastoral support, etc etc. Both schools are aware of their on line reputation, and I think are addressing it in a very real way: St Olave’s even has a well being cockapoo now!

I am not thrilled with the quality of some of the teachers at NW, their ability to hang on to them - or communication with parents. St Olave’s is a much much slicker operation.

DD is very happy there, doing really well, and that’s what counts, but I am slightly underwhelmed.

My friends’ daughters are doing very well at BW, very happy there and I hear that Buller’s wood’s extra-curricular activities are very good too. But then my friends with children in the same year as DD are perfectly happy with NW - it’s so hard for schools to please everyone.

Good luck with whichever you go for.

Keep your options open for as long as you can. If your DD wants to sit the test then that is half the battle and DD did the test all with home familiarisation and a couple of mock tests. It is absolutely the right school for her. Not an exam factory and the girls are all supportive of each other and the school has lots of programmes around mental health - some of the pressure comes from very push parents rather than the school.

The new Head is doing great things at Newstead, DD is in Y10 and loving it. A friend’s DD went to Bullers for Y7 and 8 and left due to bullying and joined a private school. Another friend’s did just got amazing GCSEs at Bullers. Pop over to the elevenplusforum for more about Newstead.

High attainers get a lower P8 score at Bullers than the middle attainers according to the compare gov tool.

I have friends with girls at Bullers (Year 8) and so far they are quite happy. One sat the Newstead exam but her score wasn’t good enough to go in straight ahead and she didn’t get in due to distance.

So if you consider Newstead check the distance for admission before you are getting all exited about passing the exam.

As long as you are within 9 miles of Newstead that is fine. I cant see anyone who’d be close enough to Bullers who wouldn’t qualify on distance for Newstead.

Thanks so much @helloworld5 (and everyone) . I have just checked back here and seen your post. It is really interesting to hear that you chose Bullers over all the other schools you mention and I am so pleased to hear you are happy.

I must admit the fact that DD could walk to Bullers every day is a huge plus. Newstead or any other grammar would be a much longer journey and that does make a difference. She did like NW when we visited last year, but then she was 9 and it was the first school we saw, and now of course we can't go back (online open events everywhere).

That is very helpful about TOGS thanks, as i have been wondering if we had any realistic chance of a Kent grammar and, of course, this year we won't know how well she does in any of the tests until after we have to apply for schools. That would be a lovely school and we could consider moving long term.

However, it has really helped to hear how well you are doing at Bullers and I was very impressed with all the extra curricular activities last year, but it is always good to hear it from someone who is actually there.

I hope you are enjoying year 10 (and being back there finally)!