Claremont fan court school

[indevirg]

Any feedback on this school? Considering it alongside Halliford for DS.. all insights would be helpful! DS quiet, not sporty, arty...

There are many threads from last year's entrance process - Jan to March 2022. It's a really popular school at the moment.

I looked around recently and really liked it. Especially the science block. It seemed like they look for a variety of kids with different strengths.

Does anyone know how clever you need to be to get in? Top 25%? Top 50%?

I honestly think all the other schools in the area will be far better than Claremont.

@Berrylina which ones would you prefer?

@KindergartenKop I don't know where you are but have you had a look at Reeds, St Johns, Epsom, Cranmore, Charterhouse, Downsend, St George's Weybridge, Hampton? Claremont would be last choice for me.

Ok, I'm a bit too far in for some of those schools. I am looking at Hampton though. It depends on how bright the kid is. As far as I know Hampton takes top 10% kids intelligence wise, whereas I think Claremont is less picky and I don't really know where my child's ability sits on a population level so I'm applying to a range!

@KindergartenKop Are you applying for 11+?

@Berrylina , I'm not sure if you have currently visited these schools but Epsom had a damming ISI report in 2021 and St John's currently doesn't have a head as Rowena Cole has left. Claremont has a very good head from KCS and he has turned the school around, it's incredibly popular with a minibus route direct from Richmond etc because it's catchment is so large.

@Berrylina well my son is, he's got more of a chance of passing than me!

Hi yes, I have visited both in the last year. I thought Epsom was also awaiting a new head?
It's disappointing about the report - I am worried about applying, but looking for more details on what the school is doing to rectify the issues.

I hope Claremont has changed recently. I didn't know they had a new head but the last time I was there I didn't leave there feeling very positive.

Do you have children at Epsom/ St John's @hockeygrass ? I need more info - they came across well during the visits but the staff will never tell you everything as they are selling the school.

😂Good luck to him! It's so tricky choosing the right school.

@Berrylina thanks! Any tips on how to choose?

the new head at Epsom has started and I'm sure she has taken the report seriously. Personally I think the fees are extreme, they will be up to £10k a term by the time your dc reached year 9.

The new head at Claremont has been there a few years, there was a gap in the market for a mixed mid range nice school which Claremont has filled and it's on the up academically.

My ds is at Hampton but he did have offers from St Johns and Epsom but it was many years ago. We live nearer to Hampton and the fees are lower so it was an easy choice.

I do agree it's hard to gauge schools at open days unless you put in factors like the city location of KGS. Often final
Choices come down to journey length and sports offered - football rugby swimming etc.

I imagine no where close to that. Independent schools are all pitched at different points on the academic spectrum, quite rightly - part of their business model. And I believe this school is very much at the easier end. Maybe lowest 25%.

@Dallasdays what? Of the entire population? They must be an excellent school to get those results out of them then!

I would expect so - don't believe the results are all that? If we assume independent school pupils are of the same innate intelligence as the wider population, and we know that this school is regarded as pretty much the easiest to get into or one of the easiest, does that follow?

I am not sure why people think independent schools are all only taking the crème de la crème. All the independent school kids have to end up somewhere, and they all do in practice.

I think there are some outdated views of the school on this thread. Might be worth reading some of the other threads. A level results this year put the school alongside Epsom College and St George's College, and it was very competitive to get into this year - I know of very bright kids who didn't get offered a place

If we are saying this school takes kids in top 50% (for example), where are the bottom 50% of independent schools kids going? Given schools line KGS, KCS, Hampton, LEH, Reeds, St Paul's, GHS, PHS, WHS, SHS, G&L, and nearly all other schools I can think of are harder to get in and have better results?

I think Epsom and St John's are ok academically ; not at the top with some of the other schools. It's just shocking how much they charge . I often feel the facilities are not that different from some of the other schools. To me Epsom isn't vastly different from St John's but Epsom costs a lot more from year 9! May as well be 10K.

With the latest ISI report from Epsom, I can see why people would opt for other schools. If money is a factor to consider I would push for a similar school with better results academically; where does one find these schools in the area?

Let's hope Claremont will fill that gap as you say. I would love to see a school like the above but just not as expensive - with better academic results.

I would imagine it's much easier to get into Claremont, although my views about the school may be outdated.
I do think it's harder to get into the schools mentioned - which are better academically.
Some of the other schools locally are a lot more expensive - especially for families with 2 children. Is it possible that some of the less expensive schools are more popular and difficult to get into for that reason?

On the contrary, I have also seen less academic schools like Epsom which are competitive to get into - is it less selective? Sibling policy?

I know one boy who didn't get into Reeds, Epsom, St John's and Claremont - average grades.

It seemed a very nice school either way. I'd happily send my son there.

My child loved their time there. Got great results and into their first choice uni but more importantly always felt valued for who they were even though they were quite quiet and reserved. Great teachers, a beautiful site and a much broader and more rounded approach to success than some of the educational hot house private schools around here.

I agree, I also thought it was a lovely school and would be very happy for my son to go there - we have applied

The children who got into this school from my child’s y6 class were nice kids, nothing special academically.