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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

Forest school?

34 replies

leeloo1 · 20/02/2020 15:19

Has anyone heard anything about offers yet? It says "offers posted" today - I'm guessing that probably means actual letters?

OP posts:

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HackneyFolks · 25/02/2021 17:05

We’re in the same dilemma re forest vs bancrofts and it’s really tricky to decide! Is one of them harder to get into than the other? Forest seems to be better appointed and is much closer for us, but Bancroft seems to be so much better results wise. We were also slightly worried to see year 8 places being made available for Bancroft’s this year which makes us worry that maybe there is a high drop out rate? Anyone care to share any additional insight or context would be great. We want to make a decision ASAP to free up waiting list places, thanks!

chitchattery · 19/02/2021 09:40

Snaresbrook is much closer and easier than Leytonstone. Forest run buses all over the place. Islington, Essex etc etc. Obviously this can impact on after school clubs. My DD used the tube and lots do. Bancroft’s is not close to any tube but they run minibuses to Woodford tube. Info should be available from the schools. There are double yellow lines around most of Forest and the council regularly tow cars away at pick up time. The school campaigned for a one way system in front of the school by it was blocked by residents.

Stokey · 19/02/2021 09:21

I think it's incredibly busy during drop off time. The council were planning on putting double yellow lines around there - not sure whether this has happened or not but there is a one way system in place - and there were some Forest parents up in arms on local FB groups. They were definitely in the minority as most residents would welcome it.

ClaudiaWankleman · 19/02/2021 08:44

I think it’s probably also walkable from Snaresbrook (and less muddy). The reason I was asking is because I don’t remember pre-COVID ever seeing a Forest School pupil on the tube.
I recently looked around a house very close by and wondered if it was a very busy car drop off!

Stokey · 19/02/2021 08:36

I don't think Forest is near a tube, at a stretch you can walk from Leytonstone through the forest, Hollow Ponds. You could get the overland to Wood At and it would be about a 10-15 minute walk. My impression is that people either walk or cycle, or drive.

I assume you could walk to Bancroft's from Woodford tube but don't know if this is common.

ClaudiaWankleman · 19/02/2021 08:15

How do most pupils tend to get to school? (Forest, Bancroft’s etc) Is it on the tube or are there school buses available?

chitchattery · 19/02/2021 08:03

I agree that co-ed is a significant difference. DS went to Bancs from 11 from a state primary. He would definitely have found single sex teaching unnatural. DD was at Forest from pre-prep. I liked the school and the diamond structure seemed to work well for her but did seem to emphasise the differences between the boys and girls. However she wanted to move to Bancs for 6th form and there was undoubtedly a much stronger academic ethos. The cohort was stronger and she really felt that she had found a place that matched her ambitions. Forest did become a bit slick while she was there-very into marketing and promotion but it suits many and we were happy with it. The Head at Bancs is great. The previous couple of Heads were a bit old school. We did the journey in reverse so found the traffic around Forest terrible. It is a pain but a lot of the Forest kids hang out at Westfield (in normal times) after school and so seem to make their own way home. I’m not sure I would let the journey be the decider unless it is really significant.

Stokey · 19/02/2021 07:48

No personal experience but I have friends whose kids go to Forest and are very happy with it. We're not in Hackney any more but close to Forest. I haven't applied for private for my DD but would have gone for Forest over Bancroft's for the convenience of the journey. The road out to Epping that Bancroft's and Woodford County High are on is a nightmare with terrible traffic at school times so wouldn't underestimate the journey. That said Bancroft's does have better results I believe.

Also you may want to think about your views on Forest's single sex for teaching from 7-16? It seems like quite a good solution to co-ed Vs single sex to me, but I say that as the mother of girls. I know many boys prefer properly co-ed.

I think they're both great schools.

HackneyFolks · 18/02/2021 20:32

Hey all! We are also in the dilemma of choosing between offers at Bancroft and forest! It’s a huge question for us - is it fair to say Bancroft’s is the most academic? But forest arguably has better facilities? Certainly forest is easier for our DS to get to but should this matter? Any other insight as to reputation and differences would be hugely well received! Thanks!

Spoiltbutnothappy · 25/02/2020 23:27

Battenburg Yes, they did. I assume that it is to understand the competition.

Battenburg11 · 25/02/2020 18:33

Out of interest, did Forest asked you what school will your child be going to in September when you declined their offer as that’s what they asked me?

Spoiltbutnothappy · 24/02/2020 16:19

OP, hope you get the offer you want soon.

After coming back from halfterm, DC had an offer in the post so we called Forest today and let them know that the place can go to someone on the WL. We all really loved Forest but have a couple of other offers that are more suitable and convenient.

Good luck, everyone!

buttonsbows · 23/02/2020 17:38

@Blinks20 We are in a similar position and are choosing between offers from Forest and Bancroft’s after being surprised by Bancroft's. I'm not much help to you but currently working on a pros and con list, DD is going to attend both open mornings and we'll make a final decision then.

Battenburg11 · 23/02/2020 10:28

Does anyone have any views on Woodford County grammar just down the road from Bancroft’s. If I was financially comfortable, I’d choose Bancroft’s but looking at results and in general both schools are quite on par with each other?

chitchattery · 23/02/2020 08:01

@Blinks20 DS was in the same position a few years ago. He preferred Chigwell because they were given chips at the interview but actually chose Bancroft’s in the end and didn’t regret it at all. DD went to Forest at 4 and stayed through to 16 but then swapped to Bancroft’s for sixth form. She felt that Bancroft’s matched her ambition in the science/maths areas and she was delighted with the experience and her outcomes. If your DS is comfortable in an ambitious academic environment then I’d say go for Bancroft’s although I know that’s hard to tell at 11. Think about the travel as well as there is lots of after school stuff at all of them so the day can get long.

MarchingFrogs · 23/02/2020 07:15

If he genuinely has no preference and you believe that Bancrofts would really be the best school for him, then go with that? As opposed to ?thinking that Bancrofts must be the best, because it is meant to be the most 'desirable'? (I really have no idea about the pecking order of these schools).

Blinks20 · 22/02/2020 22:16

Just wondering which schools people are going with ?
We have received offers for Bancrofts , Chigwell and Forest. DS, unhelpfully, doesn’t have any preference. We always hoped for Chigwell as felt Bancrofts would be a No. So it’s really thrown us now in terms of what to do.

leeloo1 · 21/02/2020 14:32

Thanks to those declining their offers so quickly. Hopefully the waiting list will move fast at that rate.

OP posts:

Battenburg11 · 21/02/2020 13:42

My DD received an offer too from Forest just now but I will decline the offer. Hopefully those on the wait-list and wanting to attend Forest will get some good news.

leeloo1 · 21/02/2020 12:18

@SerenAstra and @Jane077 - it's wait list for us too.

@Jane077 - thanks and congrats re the offer. I replied to your pm, I hope you got it.

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Jane077 · 21/02/2020 12:15

@leeloo1 we have heard, received offer and rang up and turned down. They were v nice on phone. I do really rate Forest and would love my second DS to go there. We are still in WUS quandary but more leaning towards HG at the mo. Hope you’re well.

leeloo1 · 21/02/2020 11:58

@SerenAstra - I'm so sorry to hear that. We've had a few such disappointments and ds was deeply upset at the time, but luckily seems to bounce back quickly. If it's any help we focus on how many kids applied and how well he did to get so far in the process.

@Jane077 - thanks, we're still waiting for the postman here! I know you don't 'need' the offer, but have you heard from forest yet?

OP posts:

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SerenAstra · 21/02/2020 11:47

@jane077 thank you! Fingers crossed.

Jane077 · 21/02/2020 11:46

@SerenAstra sorry it’s not a straight yes, I’m sure there will be waitlist movement.
@leeloo1 I’ve been thinking of you and hoping good news

SerenAstra · 21/02/2020 11:20

Just got our letter, DS has been wait listed. He's very sad!

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