Claremont and Halliford

[Justicebieber]

Hi, so we have an offer for both of these (very different!) schools and are struggling to come to a decision and we were hoping the wise people of mumsnet can help us!

DS is bright, everything comes easy but he needs a push, and is very sporty. We decided against using a tutor for the 11+ as it was all very last minute and he is state schooled. He’s done well to get these offers and I want to feel super excited, I just can’t help wonder whether we should have pushed him to fulfil his potential (too late now!) We also applied to a few ‘super selectives’ and unsurprisingly he didn’t get past the first stage.

Sport and pastoral care are both really important so not placing all emphasis on academics, but would love to hear from current parents at these schools as to their experience re academic stretch / quality of sport in reality.

Last resort if we decide neither is the right fit is to move him to a prep to 13 and try again next time more prepared! I really don’t want to do this and hope one of the above will be right but also keen to hear if anyone has done this.

@Justicebieber , well done to your ds. Re 13+, the places at the local boys day schools have also been allocated this week to ds currently in year 6, unless you want boarding you are taking a risk in going to a prep - are you thinking Feltonfleet or Milbourne Lodge - as you would be chasing an occasional place etc.
Halliford and CFC are good schools, I would focus on the sports offered, transport links and mixed or single sex plus the 6th form options. I know I just mentioned this on another thread but FYI CFC, Halliford and Notre Dame are the 3 main private feeders to Esher College.

Thank you.
That’s really useful information re the 13+. Not coming from a prep we are totally naive to all this!
Any other insights into CFC or H very welcome…

I was really impressed with CFC. I think a bright kid would do really well there. The head is clearly raising standards and my impression was it’s become much more selective this year.

@Justicebieber , I would forget 13 plus and have a move at 6th form as an option.

The head’s ambitions mainly. And the admissions team were lovely. And of course it’s got a castle 😆

One other difference (niche I know) is that St John’s has compulsory cadet force in year 10 and CFC has no cadet force at all

We're at Halliford & looked at cfc. Decided against it as 'too grand' for us!! Also too big & not right vibe for our DS..but heard it's def on the up. Halliford we love. Son not sporty but so much on offer. Pastoral excellent. A lovely down to earth, value driven environment. What's your DS like?

@RedDogBlueDog pasted from the schools website below. I may be wrong about lower fifth being year 10 but it looks compulsory to me! Niche because my DS WANTS to do CCF but I doubt he’d want to do it in a school where everyone was being forced to.

“Today’s CCF comprises three sections: Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. All Lower Fifth pupils participate for an introductory year, after which CCF is a voluntary activity. As well as midweek training, there is one Field Day per term and a week-long summer camp. A host of camps and courses are available to cadets, offering training in everything from mountaineering to power boating and diving, either free or at a substantially reduced cost.”

www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk/school-life/leadership-and-service/

@RedDogBlueDog no, didn’t have St J on list which I slightly regret now because it looks lovely. Fees and distance put me off a bit. We have got an offer from CFC and are pondering. Loved the atmosphere and ethos, loved the shiny labs, just not sure about getting up so early for the bus

Curious post to me. My boys attended both but 10/15 years ago. At the time I really regretted my younger son leaving Halliford for Claremont at sixth form; I didn’t enjoy the Claremont experience at all!
My elder son is an ex Halliford head boy. Overall Halliford was much the better experience for my family but obviously things will have changed.
Depending on where you live dropping off and collecting at Claremont can be a nightmare traffic wise.

We are in the lucky position to have offers from a few places (spray and pray approach) including CFC and Halliford. We will be declining soon but if we had to we would Halliford over CFC as it would have better suited our DS.
Found headteacher and staff at Halliford very nice / kind. Felt pastoral care would be better. Had a better socio-demographic mix. Found CFC a bit large, old and cold. Also think all boys environment would have allowed DS to be more uninhibited.

But each child/ boy is different so what may work for us might not for others.

@RedDogBlueDog we’ve been lucky enough to have a few offers but it’s going to come down to KGS (35 minutes door to door, hockey, bit cramped) vs Trinity (an hour on the tram, every facility you could think of, Rugby), I think. Both have CCF :) I have absolutely no clue what to do!

Thank you for all of the comments so far. All really useful. We will be taking our time to decide so if anyone else has any insight it would be very welcome!

We’re in the same position as you OP. So stuck! Love elements of both. Pastoral care a big factor for us so would love to hear any first hand experiences. Currently feel Halliford has the edge on that front. But concerned he may ‘outgrow’ it as it’s smaller.
Also wonder how easy it is to join CFC and fit in when there’s a prep school. Again an experiences welcome.
The offers day at CFC was so short compared to Halliford that it’s been hard to get such a sense of it.
They are equidistance for us so that’s not a deciding factor.

@ThamesMum78 snap! Equidistance for us too. DS would be the only person he knows going to CFC and I too worry about him settling in with all the prep kids. On the other hand, Halliford pastoral seems amazing and so that worries me less (also no prep kids so all new together), if I’m honest I also worry that the academics and sport are not as strong as at CFC and he’s super sporty and bright. I think he needs plenty of competition in all areas to keep him motivated.

Also frustrated the CFC offer event was so short! Especially compared to Halliford, which impressed DS.

Honestly I am biased with a DS there, but have never heard a bad word about Halliford. I couldn't say the same for CFC. I'm local to both. But it's ultimately down to the type of child.. you must have a gut feel..& they must have a preference?

Pastoral at Halliford is outstanding, authentic & effective. We've had a fair bit of need in this area (v shy reserved boy) & they are brilliant. Personal service second to none. I have his form teacher's mobile number!!!

Thank you @freezingone that’s lovely to hear. I know we should have a gut but it honestly keeps changing! My DS probably keener on Halliford-helped by the lovely admissions process and offer event. We had always had CFC in our sights and Halliford was a late addition. I never thought I’d consider single sex until we went there.
I think my concern is that whilst Halliford feels right for now, CFC might feel more future proofed for later-bigger site, co-ed etc.