Independent schools for 13+ - St Eds, Brentwood, Felsted etc

[GreenCacti]

Hi, I am looking for peoples experiences and opinions on independent schools within an hour of East London. Ones we are considering include St Eds (Ware), Brentwood, Felsted and New Hall but also open to other suggestions. I don't really like the idea of Saturday schools and don't want somewhere too pushy or high pressured. A holistic education and good pastoral care is important. My son also has ADHD (not severe) so somewhere that can accommodate that is key.

Hi @GreenCacti have you considered St Columbas in St Albans or is that too far to travel? It would certainly meet your requirements.

I’ve heard of it but unfortunately buses don’t run from our area to there and it would be too far to drive.

I attended Brentwood but that was about 15 years ago, so not the most up to date review! It definitely wasn’t pushy or pressurised; if you were top of the class you’d be strongly supported to excel but plenty of academically average students were encouraged in their other interests instead (music, drama, sport, CCF etc). I recognised whilst there just how good the facilities and activities were. However they did have Saturday school when I attended, so assume they still do. I don’t really recall what the pastoral care was like. One other thing to mention is I don’t remember many pupils coming from London so something to bear in mind in terms of peer groups, although they may cast the net wider now with fee increases. One of my best friends attended New Hall, I’d say it’s probably a more ‘prestigious’ school, but similarly mixed abilities and would have had good pastoral care back when it was all girls. We looked around the grounds of St Ed’s recently for our DS, but haven’t had a proper tour yet. Felsted seemed more like a 24/7 party village when I was at school (sorry if that’s incorrect felsted alumni, just my perception at the time!)

Having been abused by my housemaster who was subsequently convicted for Pedophilia I was shattered to learn he was invited back to the school for a social event. When I questioned this decision I was told it is a Christian school that believes in forgiveness.
I would not send a child to this school.

I'm sorry this happened to you. And don't want to seem cold moving on, but

Wondered how you got on and which ones you applied for OP?