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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Claremont and Halliford

71 replies

Justicebieber · 11/02/2023 15:40

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
Justicebieber · 15/02/2023 20:06

ggssgg · 15/02/2023 19:51

It's a personal decision in the end but having had occasion to visit both in a professional capacity, I'd go for Halliford for a boy every time. There's a true kindness and sense of morality there. They push academics in line with the boy (not to raise their grades publicly) & turn out gentlemen. As one poster says it is more like a town grammar school than the stately home feel of CFC.. depends on what you're looking for in a school though I guess.

Oh this is confusing! I’d love to hear more, I am not 100% decided. DS loves the space and facilities at CFC and the feel of Halliford…. I worried the GCSE results are stronger at CFC? Any other insight would be hugely welcome.

OP posts:
ggssgg · 15/02/2023 20:19

It really depends on the child.. they are both the right school for the right child.. what's your son like? I wouldn't personally be led by results but that's just me. Pastorally, Halliford is excellent & I found the head there more.. human. Maybe lust your reservations for each & weigh it up from that perspective?! A tough choice!

sallydoodlecat · 15/02/2023 20:22

ggssgg · 15/02/2023 19:51

It's a personal decision in the end but having had occasion to visit both in a professional capacity, I'd go for Halliford for a boy every time. There's a true kindness and sense of morality there. They push academics in line with the boy (not to raise their grades publicly) & turn out gentlemen. As one poster says it is more like a town grammar school than the stately home feel of CFC.. depends on what you're looking for in a school though I guess.

So lovely to read this from a professional perspective. Backs up my feelings!

ggssgg · 15/02/2023 20:22

List not lust!!!
Ps, just saw your son liked the 'feel' of Halliford better.. I'd say this is your answer. We've all worked in swish offices where the actual job is awful!

sallydoodlecat · 15/02/2023 20:23

ggssgg · 15/02/2023 19:51

It's a personal decision in the end but having had occasion to visit both in a professional capacity, I'd go for Halliford for a boy every time. There's a true kindness and sense of morality there. They push academics in line with the boy (not to raise their grades publicly) & turn out gentlemen. As one poster says it is more like a town grammar school than the stately home feel of CFC.. depends on what you're looking for in a school though I guess.

Posted too quickly. Meant to write how lovely it is to read this from a professional perspective. Backs up how I feel. Thanks!

sallydoodlecat · 15/02/2023 20:24

ggssgg · 15/02/2023 20:22

List not lust!!!
Ps, just saw your son liked the 'feel' of Halliford better.. I'd say this is your answer. We've all worked in swish offices where the actual job is awful!

Yes this. Both my kids went for the feeling in the end. Both very very different schools

Original poster
Justicebieber · 16/02/2023 09:57

sallydoodlecat · 15/02/2023 20:24

Yes this. Both my kids went for the feeling in the end. Both very very different schools

Show quote history

I think he’s totally confused tbh. But DH and I get ‘that feeling’ about H and can’t shake it even though DS is keen on CFC too but I think the grounds wow him and the coach feels ‘safe’ whereas the train possibly intimidates him a little. He would know one boy from our area also going to H so that also is a positive. Aaarrrrrggghhhh! My head is exploding!

OP posts:
redrobin75 · 16/02/2023 10:11

@Justicebieber , why don't you both leave the house at the time you would have to do the 20min walk tomorrow and wait at the bus stop (and then go home) and it will make travel to the bus journey more real. It's quite a long walk for a private bus, or would you drive him to the bus stop in the morning, if so do the drive?

sallydoodlecat · 16/02/2023 10:15

No idea how to reply to your comment directly! Just to check there's no bus route for him to H? Also if you want to ask any other questions feel free to DM me. I don't often post or reply on here so no idea how DMs work but feel free!

Original poster
Justicebieber · 16/02/2023 10:39

redrobin75 · 16/02/2023 10:11

@Justicebieber , why don't you both leave the house at the time you would have to do the 20min walk tomorrow and wait at the bus stop (and then go home) and it will make travel to the bus journey more real. It's quite a long walk for a private bus, or would you drive him to the bus stop in the morning, if so do the drive?

For us the coach stop is 5/10 mins walk away then 40-50 mins on the coach which seems ages.
For H 15 mins to the stn, 20 mins train then 10 min walk at the other end.

Both seem huge and he seems so small!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Justicebieber · 16/02/2023 10:39

sallydoodlecat · 16/02/2023 10:15

No idea how to reply to your comment directly! Just to check there's no bus route for him to H? Also if you want to ask any other questions feel free to DM me. I don't often post or reply on here so no idea how DMs work but feel free!

Thank you! Will do!

OP posts:
Ilovechoc12 · 16/02/2023 14:55

Do bear in mind these trains have been a nightmare recently - lots of mums on what's app saying they can't get their children into school. So do work out your back up plan .... (bus / you driving them to school 😳)

ggssgg · 16/02/2023 15:06

Can't he get the Halliford sch bus? Lots of routes..

Original poster
Justicebieber · 19/02/2023 14:19

ggssgg · 16/02/2023 15:06

Can't he get the Halliford sch bus? Lots of routes..

Sadly not we’re on the train route.

Now we have a divide - he seems to show a preference for CFC, us - probably Halliford. 🤯
Thank goodness we don’t have four or five to choose from!

OP posts:
Whatsblueandflies · 19/02/2023 17:26

Halliford parent here . We also had offer for cfc and I would say that CFC is more academic but we turned it down for Halliford. I love the school, head is fantastic and really does know how to deal with boys . I can not fault the pastoral and the genuine care that the school has for the boys. Lots of sports provision and bright/gifted boys are spotted early and stretched. Nice bunch of parents as well.
what a great choose to have - well done to your DS

Whatsblueandflies · 19/02/2023 17:30

My son has taken the train since year 7. Loads of Halliford boys do it and tend to congregate in the same carriages together. When trains were cancelled parents were quick to WhatsApp and share lifts etc. and the Classlist app shows you other Halliford families geographically in your year group so you can find travel buddies

Original poster
Justicebieber · 20/02/2023 16:19

Whatsblueandflies · 19/02/2023 17:26

Halliford parent here . We also had offer for cfc and I would say that CFC is more academic but we turned it down for Halliford. I love the school, head is fantastic and really does know how to deal with boys . I can not fault the pastoral and the genuine care that the school has for the boys. Lots of sports provision and bright/gifted boys are spotted early and stretched. Nice bunch of parents as well.
what a great choose to have - well done to your DS

Thank you for your lovely post. Always nice to hear from current parents. V helpful

OP posts:
Original poster
Justicebieber · 20/02/2023 16:24

Whatsblueandflies · 19/02/2023 17:30

My son has taken the train since year 7. Loads of Halliford boys do it and tend to congregate in the same carriages together. When trains were cancelled parents were quick to WhatsApp and share lifts etc. and the Classlist app shows you other Halliford families geographically in your year group so you can find travel buddies

Thank you! That’s good to know re the trains. I think we may do a trial run one morning and see how it goes!

OP posts:
Timeforaliein · 20/02/2023 19:21

Have PMd you

Original poster
Justicebieber · 23/02/2023 20:42

@RedDogBlueDog @ThamesMum78 and anyone else on this thread…. Have you made your decision yet?

OP posts:
ReeC · 06/03/2023 10:30

Justicebieber · 23/02/2023 20:42

@RedDogBlueDog @ThamesMum78 and anyone else on this thread…. Have you made your decision yet?

Hi @Justicebieber , we decided on CFCS in the end and DS is very excited. Was a very difficult decision but hopefully the right one.
What have you decided?

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