Caterham School

[Hutella]

Hi, my Ds and Dd are still young and at a state primary. We plan to go private for secondary or when youngest starts Y3. I am going round in circles with housing and schooling. We are in SE london and want to move bit further out next year - thinking Croydon or Bromley or Surrey.

Can anyone tell me their experience with Caterham. Where do the children typically live, what's pastoral care and handling of bullying like, what preps or feeders do most come from, how is the admissions process, and are they good at encouraging the quieter kids? What sort of children do best there?

My older is bright but quiet/sensitive/emotional, less confident, not motivated (needs a lot of pushing academically and cannot bear to get things wrong - hes youngest in school year). He's not faring well with the rough and tumble of boys at his current school and has been bullied from the beginning. Younger is brash, grammar material, sporty, funny and popular. Don't mind coed or not though I think girl will thrive in girls school for secondary.

The other schools on my radar are Eltham College, Bromley High and Colfes.

Hi - where are you in SE London now? We moved from East Dulwich to Bromley and have experience of the other schools you mention (not Caterham). Happy to chat via PM? In short though all the schools you mention are selective academically - some more so, and obviously as you know Bromley High is all girls. Eltham College more selective than Colfes, only starts at yr 3, and only just starting it's co-Ed journey.

The area is pretty wide - Epsom, Croydon, Warlingham, Crawley, East Grinstead, Sevenoaks etc - you can see from the school bus routes. Plus boarders including from overseas. Prep school tends to be more local. About half of year 7 intake is from the prep, rest from a wide range of other preps and state primaries around the area, so no obvious feeders. They are joined by around 30 more at year 9.

Very inclusive atmosphere, tolerant and bullying/behaviour issues efficiently handled. Big push currently on wellbeing. The co-curricular timetable will give you a feel for the range of opportunities on offer.

Ah thank you very helpful.
Didnt know there is a school bus will have a look. Good to hear about wellbeing.

@chalkyc2 forest hill area will PM you. Yep I have a girl and boy. All new to me as I'm not from UK. We have to get in the school first then move...

I have a child in Caterham Prep. We like what we have seen so far. The vast majority of the teachers are good and those that are not seem to be encouraged to move on. The facilities are very good. It seems to be a good all round school - not just an academic hot house like some, or for super sporty /musical types like others.

We moved out from an area close to Forest Hill a few years ago.

Thanks @eurochick
How did you find the move out of Forest Hill and settling in where you are now?

My son was at Eltham College for a number of years. The school has excellent teaching mostly, and it is great for music, drama and art. However, for this school and many like it, I recommend you have a good think about the sports programme, particularly in regard to your sensitive son (bless him !). From what you write, I think you should expect he will never be selected for a school team, to play against other schools. Many children are never selected, but this is easier to accept for some than for others. Also, your son will be expected to train in rugby during PE-lessons in the autumn, and that is definitely 'rough and tumble'.

I wouldnt bother with caterham prep. the teaching standard has to a lot to be improved, and bullying is NOT dealt with efficiently. We have had the same issues with the same children for years and still they are still there. The new head has lot to take on to improve the school overall. The only thing good is there is automatic entry to the senior school so many families pip the post and join at year 5- 6.

Caterham School is definitely quite rough and tumble, and have had a problem with bullying and theft for some years now, although it’s often dismissed as “oh they just need to stand up for themselves” and “things often go missing, most parents don’t make a fuss about replacing items costing under £50” respectively. For coed and a less rough and tumble environment with a supportive pastoral atmosphere, Reigate Grammar School (private school) is very good. I don’t know Bromley High or Colfes, but knew a couple of families who sent sons to Eltham College and they were very happy with it. Our DCs didn’t pick either of these schools- all this is feedback from parents whose DCs attended them.

Hello is there an update on this issue? Does your child still go to Caterham and if you have seen any improvement? I am thinking of putting my daughter there but not decided