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

Both sound like solid options tbh, and it's great that you're weighing up pastoral care alongside academics for a quieter child, that matters so much. If you haven't managed an open day at Beths yet it might be worth trying to get one in before deciding, hearing from current parents like the poster above often gives a much better feel than a one off visit. Sounds like you're doing a great job thinking about what will actually suit him rather than just chasing the "better" school on paper.

If he's likely to do well academically in either school, I'd let pastoral care and the daily commute be the deciding factors. A supportive environment can make a huge difference, especially for a quieter child. Wishing you the best with your decision!