Hayes School in Bromley or Beths Grammar in Bexley – which would you choose?

[Bromley12]

Hi everyone,
I'd really appreciate some advice from parents who know these schools.
We're trying to decide between Hayes School (Bromley) and a Beths grammar school in Bexley.
Our son is academically able and would do well in either setting, but he's quite quiet and would probably benefit from a nurturing environment with good pastoral care. He also enjoys music (especially guitar) and cricket, so opportunities outside the classroom are important to us as well.
For those with experience of either school:
Which would you choose and why?
How do they compare academically and in terms of pastoral care?
How manageable is the daily journey from the Bromley area to a Beths school?

We're finding this a really difficult decision, so any honest experiences or advice would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you!

Have you visited op? I visited Beth’s (a while ago admittedly) but I really did like it. The boys were pretty rude considering they’d have picked the best of the bunch to show the school, and it doesn’t have a great rep among the school mums group in my area. But DS didn’t go there so my info is limited to the visit and local views.

Sorry really didn’t like it!

Hi @AnneElliott
We did not visit the school open evening. Thank you for your feedback.

I dont know about Hayes but my son is currently going into y10 at Beths.
He was the only boy from his school to go. He has made a lovely group of friends and for someone who wasn't musical in primary school loved the music provision and is now learning his grade 4 in clarinet.

Yes as a grammar it feels more boisterous than other schools but they do work hard and there are alot of extra clubs and provision.

I dont know about travel from Bromley as we are close to orpington

Is your DS someone who would benefit from being a big fish in a small pond? Better for some children to be amongst the more able at a mixed comp than in a grammar where he may not be the most able student. On the other hand, if your son can handle the pressure of a grammar and likes competition or the wider opportunities a grammar can sometimes offer, then go for Beths.

I don't think many state schools offer much cricket? Presumably if either of these do, you can find mentions on their website/LinkedIn if they use it, or Google for fixtures. Fixtures against independent school cricket teams would be a good sign.

Regarding music, BYMT offers way more than any state school but the advantage of Hayes is proximity to the performing arts centre at Langley Boys. If you are local you probably know that though.

You can compare the two schools here:

Compare the performance of schools and colleges in England - GOV.UK https://share.google/VqdByhiB1iYOBegCl