Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

Beths Grammar

29 replies

AmIAloneInThinking · 03/03/2026 09:42

Keen to hear from those who’ve already got a son at Beths and your experience generally. My son got a place on offer day yesterday although it wasn’t our first choice and the open day left us feeling a bit cold tbh. DS hasn’t actually seen the school but seems happy because he knows a couple of boys through Scouts who are also going. He’s not a sporty child at all so I think the varied curriculum at Beths would suit him which is a positive.

Any current experience or opinions much appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
AmIAloneInThinking · 03/03/2026 17:40

Anyone?

OP posts:
arlequin · 03/03/2026 18:09

@AmIAloneInThinkingI am also very interested as am hoping my son may go in the future. Hope you get some good feedback

RoniaCheetah · 03/03/2026 20:39

My son is in year 8 and is loving it. He settled really quickly even though he knew no one else going. I'm also a trustee/governor so know a little about the school from that angle.

DS did the summer school which really helped settle his nerves and meant he knew some boys on day one.

Happy to answer any specific questions.

RoniaCheetah · 03/03/2026 20:41

Also adding that the current headteacher is retiring this year and a new headteacher for sept was announced last Friday. She's local and incredibly experienced. I think she'll be great.

Original poster
AmIAloneInThinking · 03/03/2026 20:57

@RoniaCheetah thanks so much for your reply! Just read about the head retiring earlier and it sounds like that will be a big change for the school?
I didn’t know there would be a summer school so looking forward to hearing more about that in due course. Does your son have to travel far and how is the pastoral care generally?

Would love to hear your pros and cons, and what you’d want to see the new head prioritising and/or changing

OP posts:
RoniaCheetah · 03/03/2026 21:07

My son has a 10-15 min walk to a bus and then it's about 30 mins on the bus. Can be an hour, door to door to get home. He's made friends with his bus mates though and enjoys the journey with them after school.

The summer school is run by an external company but it's specifically for year 7 starters and they group them according to their house/form for the camp so they get to know boys they'll see most on Sept.

New head will be a big change alright but I don't believe the new head has any plans to make any massive changes which is good.

Pastoral care is good at the school, I believe. Thankfully DS hasn't had much need of it but he really likes his form teacher and definitely feels he could approach her. Both parents and pupil surveys in the last few years have rated the school highly as somewhere the pupils feel safe.

I'm not sure what I'd want to change really as DS is really quite happy. They've made changes for the better in sixth form this year which are really paying off which is good. I do think they're quite responsive to issues that come up. They've also done some big training for staff on wellbeing and suicide prevention.

I'd like DS to do more extra curricular clubs etc but I think that's his issue rather than the school because there's a good range available!

I know the building isn't much to look at so it doesn't seem like an impressive school but I do rate it.

sharkstale · 03/03/2026 21:11

Going back many, many years here, but I went to Townley and my brother went to Beths. I had friends in Beths and they all had a positive experience there.

Original poster
AmIAloneInThinking · 03/03/2026 21:40

RoniaCheetah · 03/03/2026 21:07

My son has a 10-15 min walk to a bus and then it's about 30 mins on the bus. Can be an hour, door to door to get home. He's made friends with his bus mates though and enjoys the journey with them after school.

The summer school is run by an external company but it's specifically for year 7 starters and they group them according to their house/form for the camp so they get to know boys they'll see most on Sept.

New head will be a big change alright but I don't believe the new head has any plans to make any massive changes which is good.

Pastoral care is good at the school, I believe. Thankfully DS hasn't had much need of it but he really likes his form teacher and definitely feels he could approach her. Both parents and pupil surveys in the last few years have rated the school highly as somewhere the pupils feel safe.

I'm not sure what I'd want to change really as DS is really quite happy. They've made changes for the better in sixth form this year which are really paying off which is good. I do think they're quite responsive to issues that come up. They've also done some big training for staff on wellbeing and suicide prevention.

I'd like DS to do more extra curricular clubs etc but I think that's his issue rather than the school because there's a good range available!

I know the building isn't much to look at so it doesn't seem like an impressive school but I do rate it.

This is really useful and also reassuring! My DS will need to take a short train journey and then walk but im guessing there will be other boys on his route.
I was definitely put off by the buildings because the classrooms seemed really cramped-also the library was very lacking and didn’t appear to have many books at all so I wonder if there’s any plans to improve that or if it’s a funding difficulty for the school?
DS is our first one into secondary so it’s good to read of boys settling in well and being happy there 😅

OP posts:
RoniaCheetah · 03/03/2026 22:09

He was my first into secondary too. Seemed like such a massive time! I will say the first half term was chaos. Losing things, forgetting things. Some tears and temperature. But all normal for kids starting secondary and even with all that, he never seemed reluctant to actually be going in any day.

Interesting to hear about the library. I didn't do the open day as I did the year 5 taster day so DH did the open day. So I never saw the library. One to look into. School's financials are good though overall.

And yes loads of boys get the train!

Original poster
AmIAloneInThinking · 04/03/2026 11:30

Feeling so much more positive having read the replies so thank you @RoniaCheetah and @sharkstale! Lots to look forward to I think and DS is really excited now the news has started to sink in-he’s almost forgotten about his other choices 😆

OP posts:
RoniaCheetah · 04/03/2026 12:21

I'm so glad. Best of luck with it!

IcyPenguin101 · 04/03/2026 22:51

My son was offered Beths, which was his #1 choice - he’s been obsessed since going to the year 5 taster day. The new head is current executive head from Cleeve Park. I was a bit worried re the change when I saw it on the website Monday night but I see she improved ofsted ratings there and a mum at the primary who’s son is already there said a change would only likely bring improvements (not saying it needs it but improvements are always a good thing). I wasn’t aware re summer school. I called last year asking if there were any settling in days during summer (to factor into holiday planning) and they said no, it was only the day in early July (likely to be 7th for Bexley schools they thought). So I’m a bit miffed to have been told there wasn’t any. Anyone have any ideas when that takes place in summer? Is it a big disadvantage to not go?

RoniaCheetah · 05/03/2026 13:02

Beths don't run the summer school themselves but surprised they didn't mention it. These are the dates from two years ago:
Hive Education Group are running a Summer School for Beths students only, over the following days; Monday 29th July, Tuesday 30th July, Wednesday 31st July, Tuesday 27th August and Wednesday 28th August.

Assume it's similar this year. Boys can sign up for a single day, all 5 days or anything in between. I wouldn't say it's a huge disadvantage not to go but it helped settle day 1 nerves for DS who otherwise knew no one.

Bromley12 · 10/03/2026 18:23

Hi

Sorry to gate crash.

My son did not get the offer on National Offer Day, we live 7.2 miles (Bromley) straight line distance from school, he scored 230. I know score doesn't matter if it's outside top 180. Everyone in our family is bit upset, any chance we might get from waiting list, if yes do you know when the offers from waiting list come out. Thank you, Worried Parent.

RoniaCheetah · 11/03/2026 13:08

Hi @Bromley12

Do you know where you are on the waiting list? I'm not sure when 2nd offers are due to go out but I do know they're expecting a lot of movement. There always is as some of the people with Beths offers also have private school offers - or those with other grammar school offers do, so then people allocated Beth's as a 2nd or 3rd choice move up their list. Don't lost faith. Boys were transferring into Beth's well into September in previous years.

Bromley12 · 11/03/2026 16:16

RoniaCheetah · 11/03/2026 13:08

Hi @Bromley12

Do you know where you are on the waiting list? I'm not sure when 2nd offers are due to go out but I do know they're expecting a lot of movement. There always is as some of the people with Beths offers also have private school offers - or those with other grammar school offers do, so then people allocated Beth's as a 2nd or 3rd choice move up their list. Don't lost faith. Boys were transferring into Beth's well into September in previous years.

Hi @RoniaCheetah

We don't know yet, all I know is we are in the waiting list.

Waiting List will be available from April 7th as per Bromley Council.

Good to hear there will be some movement, is my understanding correct in saying that reallocation starts late April ? i.e. nothing from Mid March to Late April ?

RoniaCheetah · 11/03/2026 16:32

Yeah that's my understanding too. Don't expect to hear before mid April and then a second round of offers should go out

Bromley12 · 11/03/2026 21:05

RoniaCheetah · 11/03/2026 16:32

Yeah that's my understanding too. Don't expect to hear before mid April and then a second round of offers should go out

Thank you.

IcyPenguin101 · 11/03/2026 22:40

I believe Beths went to 6.3 miles in the first round of offers so I think you probably have a good chance given you are less than a mile further. As others have said, the waitlist can run into the start of September.

Bromley12 · 12/03/2026 07:32

IcyPenguin101 · 11/03/2026 22:40

I believe Beths went to 6.3 miles in the first round of offers so I think you probably have a good chance given you are less than a mile further. As others have said, the waitlist can run into the start of September.

Hi @IcyPenguin101

Thank you. That's the only hope we have.

IcyPenguin101 · 13/03/2026 07:35

Bromley12 · 12/03/2026 07:32

Hi @IcyPenguin101

Thank you. That's the only hope we have.

Show quote history

Not sure if you’ve also posted on this forum (I think you might have?) but this is the best one to watch (in my opinion) for understanding movement on the waitlists after allocation day as people tend to post all the way through the year. You can also see historically how much they have moved. I think once the waitlists go to the school you need to call to find out where you are on the list. Good luck! https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewtopic.php?t=66358&start=40

Bromley12 · 13/03/2026 19:09

IcyPenguin101 · 13/03/2026 07:35

Not sure if you’ve also posted on this forum (I think you might have?) but this is the best one to watch (in my opinion) for understanding movement on the waitlists after allocation day as people tend to post all the way through the year. You can also see historically how much they have moved. I think once the waitlists go to the school you need to call to find out where you are on the list. Good luck! https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewtopic.php?t=66358&start=40

Show quote history

Thank you. 👍

Odieve · 27/04/2026 15:00

My son is in Y8 in BETHS and is very happy there. He does say that they are "pushing" them, but I highly doubt this, as I hardly see him doing homework, yet reports say he is doing fairly well. He does about an hour a day on average, but is definitely not overworked (like I was at his age, at a school overseas!). he normally takes a bus from Erith and gets there for 8am to avoid traffic. Sometimes he takes a train to Bexley station via Dartford. He says he does most of his homework during that morning hour at school. He made friends and plays basketball and football during breaks. There are several free clubs available. They do a lot of trips which I love: football tournament in Barcelona in October 2025, Ski trip to Canada in March/April 2026, one week summer camp at the end of Y8, then next October, Belgium battlefields trip. All are optional and paid for, but it is great to have such options. Ski trip is an annual thing, it seems. Those who study Chinese will soon have a "Chinese experience" in a local Chinese restaurant, and those learning Spanish will have a "Spanish experience day" in Battersea in May. I saw the school production this year, and it was great. There is a lot of music, and you can be part of a band and learn to play an instrument. There are also options to have private music lessons during school hours.
He did not like the summer school at all, as they were actually studying and learning, and he expected a "fun" experience, so I let him skip part of it. I guess it might be good for making friends for those who are perhaps more anxious.

Bromley12 · 27/04/2026 16:39

Odieve · 27/04/2026 15:00

My son is in Y8 in BETHS and is very happy there. He does say that they are "pushing" them, but I highly doubt this, as I hardly see him doing homework, yet reports say he is doing fairly well. He does about an hour a day on average, but is definitely not overworked (like I was at his age, at a school overseas!). he normally takes a bus from Erith and gets there for 8am to avoid traffic. Sometimes he takes a train to Bexley station via Dartford. He says he does most of his homework during that morning hour at school. He made friends and plays basketball and football during breaks. There are several free clubs available. They do a lot of trips which I love: football tournament in Barcelona in October 2025, Ski trip to Canada in March/April 2026, one week summer camp at the end of Y8, then next October, Belgium battlefields trip. All are optional and paid for, but it is great to have such options. Ski trip is an annual thing, it seems. Those who study Chinese will soon have a "Chinese experience" in a local Chinese restaurant, and those learning Spanish will have a "Spanish experience day" in Battersea in May. I saw the school production this year, and it was great. There is a lot of music, and you can be part of a band and learn to play an instrument. There are also options to have private music lessons during school hours.
He did not like the summer school at all, as they were actually studying and learning, and he expected a "fun" experience, so I let him skip part of it. I guess it might be good for making friends for those who are perhaps more anxious.

Thank you this is nice to hear.

We haven't heard anything from bexley council yet.

LostMySocks · 27/04/2026 22:26

Bromley12 · 11/03/2026 16:16

Hi @RoniaCheetah

We don't know yet, all I know is we are in the waiting list.

Waiting List will be available from April 7th as per Bromley Council.

Good to hear there will be some movement, is my understanding correct in saying that reallocation starts late April ? i.e. nothing from Mid March to Late April ?

Show quote history

Last year they went down to Criteria 8 (Kent pass) right at the end of the summer. I heard that one or 2 boys got a place. Sadly we were too far for my son to get in as he didn't pass the Bexley.
Kent reallocations have gone out which started lots of movement last year. Beth's is generally less popular than Chis and Sids and Bexley so the waiting list does move.