Chelmsford County High School

[Okidokey]

Hi,
I'm looking for any information on this school please as my daughter has an offer but we don't know anyone who attends. Interested to find out about any positive or negative experiences, information about clubs, homework and anything else that may help her make up her mind!
Thanks in advance

Hi, my DD is there, it was one of the best decisions she ever made. It was a crazy whirlwind of time getting used to the school, but she loves it. An incredible range of extra curricular, outstanding teaching. The girls work hard and play hard! Any specific questions feel free to pm me.

I’ve heard great things about the school. I assume she has another offer at an independent school if you’re not sure about accepting CCHS. You might also want to think about the commute she will have vs her other option.

Given that she doesn’t know anyone going, I assume you aren’t local? You could also try posting to the Essex elevenplus forum, where there would be a more local audience who could answer any questions you have:
www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewforum.php?f=15

Thank you both! Yes her other option is to stay at her current school, which is a through school and this is why it's a tricky decision for her. We are in the catchment area but no one else from her school is going, most stay on for seniors. @ElvenDreamer , I will message you if that's ok, it's good to hear that your daughter is happy there!

Hi @Okidokey , have just left you a ridiculously long message, feel free to ask anything else you want to know!

Hi OP, both of my girls went there (they're now 20 and 19) so feel free to message any questions.

Basically it's a great school for girls to learn without "boy" pressure (although KEGS, the boys equivalent, is down the road so they do have joint discos etc and both of mine went there for sixth form as they take girls then, so they're not completely cut off!).

It is fast paced learning and can be competitive (a B grade can be the end of the world) but the girls spur each other on to do well and tbh the types of girls that go there will put themselves under pressure naturally.

There can be pressures with self harming etc but I think you find that anywhere these days.

They have lots of opportunities for extra curricular activities and I'd encourage your DD to do those from the start before year 9 when there's a heavier workload, but again I think the types of personalities that go there cope with lots of work and hobbies.

You'll find lots of girls know nobody there...eldest DD was the only one from her school but soon made friends...the bus commute is great for this, and DD2 only knew her sister but again soon made friends.

The day can be long...mine got the bus at 7.30 and got home at 5 so much longer than local friends and they then have homework so social life in the week was non existent, especially as friends from CCHS are scattered...which also means be prepared for lots of taxi-ing for parties and weekends!

Both left with all 9s in GCSEs and are now at uni.

It has good and bad points of course but if your DD is bright and wants to do well and get stuck in she'll love it.

@Idontlikeshouting the discos are no longer joint, apparently the girls decided they didn't like the boys there 😂 my DD has had 2 discos now, just girls, and thinks it was the best fun that could be had!

@ElvenDreamer doesn't surprise me! I don't think they ever really interacted much anyway...more like girls on one side, boys on the other

Thank you both so much for your insights! That is so funny about the discos 😁

Hi, any chances to recommend a local tutor for Chelmsford County High School admissions, please?

Appreciate your advice.

Hi @oanap , when DD did her 11+ we just used Explore Learning. They were fine for kind of introducing all the topics etc and then we backed it up at home with lots of past papers, bond books etc. I have subsequently used a tutor for DS1 as I knew he wouldn't work well in a group setting and now have yet another for DS2. We are out of catchment and rural though so may not be in a similar area to you. Where are you based? Quite a lot of tutors get bandied around in the parents WhatsApp I'm on for CCHS as people are looking for their younger siblings. I can try and scan back through the messages and see if there's anything useful?

Morning. And thank you for your reply. We live in Chelmsford, south of the city centre, the distinct name is Moulsham Lodge.
We appreciate any recommendations. ☺️☺️

I did have a hunt through the WhatsApp group for you @oanap , sadly all the tutors being talked about seemed to be to do with gcse and a level revision for science etc, I was convinced I'd seen 11+ mentions, sorry!
There are definitely loads of people about though, if you're south Chelmsford mine will be no use as I'm miles in the wrong direction but I'm sure a Google search will throw up loads, just take your time to read what each one offers, some only do English for eg, or some companies are not actually using experienced teachers and tutors. Make sure they're aware of the new style test too as they've only changed provider in the last couple of years. Good luck with it all!