Views on Bromley High School and Croydon High School

[Fragz]

My DD has offers for both of these schools for Year 7 entry in September. She is currently at local state primary.

She is a bright child who enjoys sports (still waiting for round 2 of the Bromley sports scholarship to take place), particularly hockey, swimming and athletics as well as music, dancing and art.

Both schools seem similar based on academic results. I'm leaning towards Croydon as the head seems more dynamic and the ethos seems more focused on the individuals, however, this is based on school comms and talks rather than anything else.

Would be grateful for thoughts from anyone who currently has children at either of the schools/children who have recently left!

Hi
I don't know much about Bromley - only been there for some sports thing match. Croydon is very friendly and inclusive. Your observations about the Head is right but I don't know anything about the Bromley one. Really good pastorally too. Musical productions are amazing - Hairspray was better than the film, in my opinion. There are orchestras and a jazz band too. Sport is really good with loads of teams. Lots of clubs although when they pick one starting at 7.30 it induces a bit of why me. Very diverse culturally which is a plus for us but I'd imagine Bromley is too. Did your daughter get to go to both for entrance testing? What are her thoughts?

@MrsMiggsatnumber42 Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds like you are really happy with the school which is great to hear.

Do the girls generally get on well? I've heard that Bromley can be quite pressurised. Croydon seems to get similar if not slightly better results. My impression is that there is more focus on each girl's strengths rather than a general pressure to be the best across the board. Is that fair?

Yes, my dd was able to go to both schools. She keeps changing her mind. She really enjoyed the small group discussion session on the day of the assessment. She also really enjoyed the sports scholarship morning. She found the staff to be really friendly and they made the morning fun.

@Fragz Hi. Yes, I've no regrets. Girls seem very happy and supportive. Of course there are fall outs - they are teens but things get sorted out by the pastoral team quickly. We've been impressed with the one to one guidance given for choosing GCSE Options because of lockdown. From my perspective, I think they know the girls as individuals as much as you can in a school environment. It is academic but there seems lots other more fun stuff to balance that out like loads of clubs.

Did your daughter get a sports scholarship then? Well done if she did - they are hotly contested. I know from friends that the matches can be a bit of a commitment after school, but I think that's the same in any school.
We don't live near Bromley hence not really having any insider info from there so this isn't particularly balanced but from experience I would say go with your gut instincts.

@MrsMiggsatnumber42 Thanks so much. It is really helpful to hear from parents with children at the schools. We don't know anyone who is at Croydon which makes it tricky.

She didn't get the sports scholarship but hopefully that won't make too much difference re sporting opportunities. Due to Covid she won't be doing the second round of the sports scholarship for Bromley any time soon so we are just assuming she won't get it there either.

Sorry for another question. Are there any areas where you have/ have had concerns? Thanks again!

@Fragz There isn't anything specific but it is a busy school. There are lots of clubs, homework, sports teams, drama/music activities- the list goes on. Certainly very different from where I went to school. Girls can be as busy as they choose and the environment is supportive so if someone is doing too much then they may be advised to cut down but I would say that it takes a parental eye as well particularly when they are really enthusiastic in Year 7. Oh and to help with organisation too - there is so much more kit and kaboodle than at primary. Get your child to learn where lost property is!

Another thing is that if you are picking up and dropping off, chose your times as it can be very busy traffic wise and when there are road works it gets worse. Quite a few park in Sainsburys and their children walk to them there. I know there are minibuses to places too but not sure as to areas.

Good luck. I asked my friend, whose daughter goes there and is now in Year 10 her thoughts and she said to say that they are very grateful for the care and quality of teaching given over the lockdowns and glad they chose an indie (having been state primary) and I would echo this. They even had virtual sports day last lockdown

Good luck in whichever you choose.

@MrsMiggsatnumber42 Thanks for taking the time to respond and for all of your input, it's really helpful.

Hi - my daughter is in the same position in that she has received offers from both schools - we live pretty much in the middle - so either school is doable.

My DD is in exactly the same position but really likes the teachers at CHS.

Hi @Msmysleepmum . I am a bit biased because I have friends who happen to be teachers at CHS and two have their kids there. They are, indeed, lovely people and incredibly hard working although obvs I see them not as a student but as an adult and friend. One thing I have noticed is the warmth of the relationship with pupils - lots of hello, so and so has a new kitten, how were your holidays, etc. I don't remember this level of. Well humanity from staff when I was at school back in the dark ages. My friends have daughters in year 10, one in year 9 (I think), one in last year of sixth and I think there is one in yesr 8 (although I still think she is six!). All seem fine and happy and they take part in shows and one is a prefect which for someone previously really shy is amazing. I have boys so no child there so am probs not much use really but I'd go with the vibe from your daughter and where she feels happiest.

Thank you so much. We are certainly leaning more to Croydon High now.

Croydon high vs Bromley high
Dd has offers from both schools for 11+ entry and I would like to welcome reviews from mums on each of the schools. We found BHS very warm and got feel thier pastoral care is very good. Where CHS is more convinient for us but head was very clear when she said if your dd doesn’t do well she falls behind! Im keen to know what view on pastoral care , academics along side support provided in weak areas and in general how the girls are ? I also hear both heads are more at end of year. Any information is hugely helpful to us. Many thanks

@Mrsroseling, what do you mean by "both heads are more at end of year"?

My DD has offers from BHS and Colfe's, struggling which one.

I know the CHS head is leaving at the end of this year. Don't know about BHS

@Rilakuma - sorry for the typo. I meant both bhs and CHS heads are leaving the the end of year. BHS have already announced replacement whereas CHS are yet to announce.

What is your feedback/ feel about BHS?

@Seeline, thanks for the information.

@Mrsroseling, BHS will host a coffee morning next week. Will you join to gather more information?

The new head starting at Bromley High in September is absolutely phenomenal and hugely popular at her current school.

Thank you @cauliflowersqueeze . Do you know anyone whose dd is that BHS? Any feedback?

Following as would love to hear feedback from anyone in BHS / Bromley High and what their experience is

@cauliflowersqueezewondering if you daughter ended up at BHS and if you wouldn’t mind sharing if you’re happy there? Asking as we are considering and I am hearing mixed reviews so would really appreciate a first hand experience/ feedback