Haileybury or Caterham

[ACSam]

We are deciding between Caterham or Haileybury +14. We are currently doing IB and cannot decide between Haileybury which has a strong IB vs Caterham which is doing A levels. Appreciate any information about both these schools in terms of academics and kid’s all rounded learning, experience as well as quality of teachers.

These two schools are quite far away from each other. I guess your DC must be an overseas student looking for a boarding place.

Caterham is probably academically slightly stronger. But the provisions for boarding are quite different. At Caterham, only a small proportion of students are boarders, 15% I think.

Thank you for your feedback. Yes my son is an international student. Haileybury seems strong academically as well with consistent IB results of 38 & 39. That’s why it makes it difficult to decide. But like you said it seems Caterham is more well known, but also concern about its low boarders. Do you know in terms of teaching staff and school environment which is more favorable. I don’t see to find much reviews of Haileybury as well.

Haileybury is one of the top IB schools & its A'levels are also good. I know nothing about Caterham but Haileybury has a wonderful reputation for getting the balance right between academics and strong pastoral care. All the dc i know who went there from the average to super academic have thrived and done extremely well. It also has strong sports and music. You definitely won't go wrong if you go for Haileybury but Caterham might be amazing as well.
Haileybury geographically also provides easy access to the M25 (Heathrow airport). It is more of a boarding school than day, although they have lots of day students too but the majority board, however day students do not feel left out.

The atmosphere is different between the two schools. It depends on which one suits your child better.

Can you elaborate more when you say atmosphere? What is each like ? Appreciate more details. Thanks

Can you elaborate more when you say atmosphere? What is each like ? Appreciate more details. Thanks

@ACSam are you going to get a chance to visit the schools?

Not sure at this point. So trying to gather more information first. Appreciate any details of these schools Thanks

Haileybury is a fantastic school- my son who started age 15 in September is exceptionally happy there. The pupils are encouraged to take ownership for their own progress and organisation, and the relationships they have with the staff are second to none.

It's like a holiday camp and all the pupils we've met so far are so confident, calm and happy. No knowledge of Caterham though I'm afraid.

Thank you for the feedback. It’s great to hear that your son is having a great experience there. Do you know if students will get helped with areas or subjects they are struggling with? Do tutors give extra time outside school hours for students that needs help or they need to get external tutoring ?

Do you know if this school has any practice of asking students to leave if they don’t meet the mark?

Sorry one more question do students have the choice to decide if they go for IB or A levels ultimately?

Thank you, appreciate your input.

I'm not sure your ratio of boarders at C is correct. There is a cohort of overseas full boarders and some weekly boarders. Caterham also has a day prep school.

@ACSammay i know if u finally pick haileybury?

@LadeOdedo u have more details of the boarding life in haileybury? are there still many boarders at weekends?