Forest school?

[leeloo1]

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

[HackneyFolks]

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!

[Stokey]

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.

[chitchattery]

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.

[ClaudiaWankleman]

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

[Stokey]

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]

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]

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.

[chitchattery]

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.

[HackneyFolks]

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!