St Edmund’s College Ware

[Teene]

Would love to hear from parents who have children at this school.

Please let me have your thoughts.
I'm considering sending my DC here and would love to know what to expect BEFORE I have to pay the deposit! 😀

The school has changed significantly since the new Headmaster was appointed.
Traditions are being erased - the Refectory became the cafeteria, the Infirmary became the health centre etc.
Drama productions used to be really ‘wow’ and were held at Spotlight Theatre in Broxbourne but are now much less impressive basic and held in the school hall.
School bus service used to be luxury coaches but are now old coaches or school minibuses.
Parents evenings are all on Zoom (yes, even in 2024!)
Teacher turnover is high and new staff are inexperienced and generally from the state sector.
Things are quite disorganised eg sports, DofE, missed coursework deadlines, lack of co-ordinated teaching where two teachers cover a subject.
Academic results are mediocre and pupils with potential aren’t really pushed; they need to be self motivated to do well.
There seems to be a lack of drive and ambition for pupils.
Leadership Team aren’t visible - nobody senior comes to wave the kids off for school trips away or stands up to give a quick speech of thanks at the end of drama productions. Simple little things which make a big difference.
But it is a fun, sociable place with kids from a range of backgrounds who all get along well (no major bullying problems) and there are lots of exciting trips to go on.
It is a shame it’s gone this way, as it had been an absolutely amazing place under the previous Head & Deputy who had both been big personalities, charismatic and welcoming and knew everyone, all parents & pupils by name; it was a difficult act to follow.
But if your child is not super academic and you want a good all round education in a place they’ll enjoy going to, then it’ll suit you. It produces really well rounded, happy, polite kids who can hold their own in social settings with a bit of something about them.

If labour get in, I think it will struggle to survive re the fee increases as they’re already high and results are not commensurate.

Wow, this is very informative.
Have you had children go through the school?

I also have to decide if my child goes to St Edmunds College? Any other feedback? Does anyone know if any children who didn't get offered places? I'm wondering if they accept most applicants? I just don't know how it all works and whether it is a good choice or not? They seem keen to take out child but hear its not that academic?! Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!

I asked the same question on a Ware related Facebook page and EVERYONE who responded spoke very positively about StEds. Many had children currently in the school or had been students themselves.
This year's cohort should be 96 and there seemed to be a lot more than on examination day so I would assume that many were not offered a place.

I don’t know the school but it is common for private school applicants to sit exams for 2/3/4+ different schools, but attend only one in the end. An independent in our town states it has 4 or 5 applications for each place, but I also know that most people use it as a back-up option and many (most?) don’t accept the place that’s offered to them. Which isn’t to say that St Es is the same, just that you can’t really judge much on the exam numbers.

Was this an actual entrance exam, or an exam only sat by those who had accepted a place at the school, in order to assess which sets / stream to place them in? Only in the latter case would you expect the number sitting to be the actual number expected to start in September, surely?

This was an entrance exam.
The entire admissions process consisted of a student and parental interview, satisfactory school report and passing the entrance exam.

I have a daughter and nephew who go there. My sister and I are both happy with the school for our children. My daughter has made good friends and is doing really well academically. They have this accreditation thing called high potential learning thingy and it's a world wide certificate of excellence. My daughter has learned about driving for academics but it's teaching her about resilience and skills for life. From what my sister has told me, St. Ed's are strict on behaviour and expectations. They've got a well being hub thing too and they seem to be working hard to support the kids. Good luck with your choices.

I've just received an email stating that their fees are increasing 😫

Aren't they all!

MamaCheetah, did you make a decision?

Hi - I was recently looking at St Edmund’s for my daughter. Just wondering if you accepted a place and how you’re getting on?

I was a parent at St Edmunds for 12 years with 2 children and regret this decision on a daily basis when I look at the school they now attend. Good teachers never stay for long, organisation is poor, pastoral care is below par, school transport is downright dangerous and sports etc are a bit of a joke. The Prep Head whilst a very nice person, it really weak, never deals with issues and has a hugely weak leadership team around him. The College Head is superb at sending offensive emails to whole swathes of parents in one go and clearly cannot recruit good teachers who stay. St Edmunds has never been a