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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Frensham Heights or Reddam House

29 replies

BB8988 · 04/02/2023 08:37

Our DS is in year 7 in a prep school and staying until end of year 8. He is a solid B student loves science, maths and classical civilisation, dislikes languages. His effort is often determined by how much he likes the teacher. Used to be very into art and showed talent but is now disinterested. His great love is sport, any sport, especially cricket, which he plays out of school 4 days a week, and football. He really enjoys drama which he is dipping his toe into as extra curricular. He is confident, quite the comedian and has lots of friends, he is sensitive and looks out for the underdog.

We have seen and visited most co-Ed (red line) schools in Berkshire and Surrey and have settled on the choice between Reddam and Frensham. We love them both and we are really struggling to decide. I need some mumsnet help, with the description of DS, which school do you think would be a better fit?

OP posts:
usemyvoice · 06/02/2023 13:16

If he loves sport I would not choose Frensham. Not a sporty school at all.

Original poster
BB8988 · 06/02/2023 16:43

Thanks, is that even now as I though they were getting more engaged in competitive sports or is that not the case?

OP posts:
BigCroc · 06/02/2023 20:39

Reddam is great for a sporty boy, loads of stuff going on. It sounds like a good fit for you. We looked around it and it is a great school, but it was just a bit too far away for us.

Original poster
BB8988 · 06/02/2023 20:49

Yes we were impressed by the sports and they are building a new sports hall. We are looking at DS getting the train, Reddam have said that they will be doing a shuttle bus from the station.

OP posts:
JBerks · 20/03/2023 09:14

My children are at Reddam, I cannot explain just how outstanding this school is. The teachers are kind but get outstanding results from the children, and it is such a lovely, lively school with lots of opportunity. Drama is outstanding here, it's a real strength of the school. The results just keep getting better and the children are humble yet very confident. Sports is very active with big investment happening now.

The results are on such an upward trajectory. We had considered relocating counties recently, but the schools we've seen don't come close even with top 100 results. You won't regret it.

Original poster
BB8988 · 20/03/2023 09:17

@JBerks Thank you so much for that post, I can't tell you how helpful that is to hear.

OP posts:
usemyvoice · 20/03/2023 09:38

Reddam, seems a good choice.

The head at Frensham Heights is "leaving" at the end of this term, the deputy head is leaving at the end of the academic year. Frensham is in turmoil at present.

Original poster
BB8988 · 20/03/2023 09:39

@usemyvoice that is really good information to know as I found him impressive.

OP posts:
Peanutgurgle · 20/03/2023 10:18

usemyvoice what is going on there? I have heard whispers but wondered why all the departures?

Seiheiki · 28/04/2023 01:47

usemyvoice · 20/03/2023 09:38

Reddam, seems a good choice.

The head at Frensham Heights is "leaving" at the end of this term, the deputy head is leaving at the end of the academic year. Frensham is in turmoil at present.

What does 'leaving' mean?

It's well known that the school is unsettled.

usemyvoice · 28/04/2023 07:21

No longer in the role of head of school. Remaining in a school residence on sabbatical leave.
@Seiheiki

AliceRose1971 · 15/05/2023 20:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

minunapoli · 13/08/2023 12:41

Hi all, my son is starting 6th form at Reddam House school in September, anyone on here has had experience with boarding, we live in Surrey and it’s just too far to day school.
thanks

minunapoli · 13/08/2023 12:42

Hi all, my son is starting 6th form at Reddam House school in September, anyone on here has had experience with boarding, we live in Surrey and it’s just too far to day school.
thanks

GodessOfThunder · 13/08/2023 15:46

Both are fairly bog standard private schools. I’d save your money and go state.

GodessOfThunder · 13/08/2023 15:47

Peanutgurgle · 20/03/2023 10:18

usemyvoice what is going on there? I have heard whispers but wondered why all the departures?

I think we know

Peanutgurgle · 13/08/2023 16:27

GodessOfThunder I have no clue!

AliceRose1971 · 15/08/2023 12:26

Please do tell GodessOfThunder!

Lots of staff leaving. Lots of children leaving.

Is it just that they haven’t found the right head since Andrew left (and so no longer offer a genuinely different approach) or something more?

closertonydanza · 18/08/2023 09:45

I would love any current info on Frensham Heights as well. I’d love to send my child there for the upper school but would like reassurance that academics and uni opportunities are solid as the leadership changes resolve themselves. Any current parents able to give some insight? Also, what caused the recent head to leave?

Caledoniadreaming · 18/08/2023 11:23

@BB8988 what did you decide in the end? We're seriously considering Reddam for our son next year (Reception) so any info gratefully received.

Original poster
BB8988 · 18/08/2023 11:58

We have decided on Reddam House, we are really impressed by the sports and drama facilities and the progressive educational style including cycle testing. They have so many activities including CCF. We also like the fact that it is an outward facing school with so many opportunities for children to meet people from other parts of the world. It feels like a school which is being invested in by it’s owner to find it’s place in the UK. We were really impressed that the admissions team knew our son’s strengths and interests when we visited and that he was treated as an individual.

OP posts:
Original poster
BB8988 · 18/08/2023 12:47

We also live in Surrey, our son will be a day pupil getting the train.

OP posts:
Ranu12 · 20/10/2023 22:17

Hello we are deciding my son to join reddam house he is in year 2 - please can someone give me reviews on how the school is and is it a good decision to move from state to privAte

Ranu12 · 23/10/2023 20:22

Anyone child in reddam
house and what are their reviews

JBerks · 24/10/2023 21:38

Hi my kids are in year 2 and reception at Reddam, we absolutely love it. Kids are so confident, happy and excited about school and I see that in their classmates too.

I’ve put a more detailed post at the start of this thread if it’s any help x feel free to reach out for more info xx

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