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Secondary education

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Original poster

Forest/UCS/Bancroft - any advice?

9 replies

london111 · 20/02/2022 12:52

We are in the fortunate position of getting offers from Forest, UCS and Bancroft.His favourite by far is Forest. I really liked the feel of the school but slightly worried re academic results. I know they aren’t the be all and end all but wondered if anyone had any experience of academic stretch at Forest. And is it improving? My son is v bright but would rather play football all day so I would like a school that helps him keep focus. Forest is a better journey for him and I think more children will live locally. UCS is an ok journey but boys only and Bancroft is a bit of a stretch geographically (45-50 mins). Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

OP posts:
Hosum · 20/02/2022 13:04

We turned down Forest and Bancrofts for Chigwell last year. Forest came a very close second. I wouldn't worry about the academics - the results can't really be trusted at the min unless you go back 3/4 years and they are all excellent. Forest and Chigwell for us had the edge of treating the extra curricular - sport, music, drama, scouts etc as equal to the traditional academics. They are still very focused but to us it felt less pressured - they have 5 years before exams so I wanted to make sure it felt enjoyable rather than a conveyor belt.

Original poster
london111 · 20/02/2022 13:41

Thank you. I agree there is so much more to school than exams - I went to a v academic pushy school and want a more supportive and rounded experience for my son. He will coast if he is able to though so want him surrounded by people who will push him a bit. UCS does so much better academically, feels a little odd to choose a ‘lower performing’ school but Forest has fantastic sports facilities and is closer…. Almost wish we only had the one offer and then no decision would need to be made!

OP posts:
Hosum · 20/02/2022 13:59

DD got academic scholarship offers to all 3 - Chigwell isn't letting her coast! I think the difference in grades isn't the brightest coasting - it is that they have a more diverse entry cohort than Bancrofts and others - (Dd also got offers from SPGS and CLGS) - I had my doubts when choosing particularly turning down Bancrofts given the results but I know Dd would get those results wherever it is the wider experience I wanted which seems (only 1.5 terms in so v early) to be working well - she has been in the school musical, concerts (singing for the first time), played in the hockey team at away games (hadn't played hockey before) joined random things like ukelele group and astronomy club. The emphasis on sport can be a bit much - I'd like my Saturdays back!

dreadingthetime · 20/02/2022 13:59

Hello, I cannot comment on any of these schools directly. I have lot of friends with DCs attending ( or attended) all of these schools and they all are happy. I can only say, mostly the difference of academic results is due to taking in more wider ability students by a school. Such schools are more commendable as they actually can contribute better value added to the students than a school only taking just top of the tops. It is also worth checking if the difference in results is more student and parent led than teacher led. If a school has very good stretch and challenge programme, and push students to achieve their full potential not only academically but also non academically (more important for independent school) then definitely that will be a good school. I am sure what ever you decide you have an able DC who will be happy in any of these schools.

Original poster
london111 · 20/02/2022 16:11

Thank you both. That is very helpful - and reassuring! I suspect I am guilty of over-thinking and should go with gut feel. Thanks

OP posts:
MarkHemmings · 20/08/2022 18:49

It's all very well to say exam results aren't everything but in the real world they have a persistent importance to them. Unfortunately, Forest School have a truly dreadful record of serious under-performance at A-level. I don't know about the other two schools but Forest School have been routinely outperformed by countless schools many of which are in the state sector and some of which are in deprived areas. Crikey.

missinglalaland · 20/08/2022 21:58

DD2 is at Bancrofts. There are many. Extracurriculars are numerous and the pastoral care is excellent. The other children are lovely And it doesn’t feel like an academic conveyor belt at all.

That said, I think Forest is a good school too. Local families are very content with it.

A school won’t seem too academically pressured, if it fits the ability of your child.

MarkHemmings · 21/08/2022 15:52

I remember taking the entrance exam for Forest School. To pass all you had to do was be able to write your name and add up two and two. A few of the lads in my class struggled with their names and also got nowhere near four - but still got in. Not surprisingly, there followed many years of desperately poor academic performance.

ASHAcoach · 03/11/2022 17:36

Hi
I have a son who is sitting the 11+ for UCS in Jan, there are no past papers as you most likely know! Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks so much!

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