woodford OR chelmsford

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mumchin
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2016 1:31 pm

woodford OR chelmsford

Post by mumchin »

hi DD ended up with good score for CEM
Chelmsford 125.1 Outside catchment
Woodford: 126.61 In the catchment.
I know chelmsford ranked higher in league table and better but the travel looks pretty bad (almost 1.5hrs journey) whereas woodford might not be the best but it is around 30 mins journey. so inclined to take woodford for my DD.

What are your thoughts?
Bananas
Posts: 141
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:52 am

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Bananas »

Personally would go for Woodford or move towards Chelmsford. 1.5 hours is far too far for a child I would say plus they have to be at school on time and when I've commuted that distance there has always been a problem.

I have only heard negative comments about Woodford to be honest but when I looked round seemed fine to me and I think a lot of the negativity is racist. It's my first choice though she won't have scored enough to make it though all her friends are going to her second choice so it's not so bad.
mumchin
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2016 1:31 pm

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by mumchin »

thanks for the reply. i do agree with you on the travel bit. More than anything i just want my DD to be happy and she did work really hard.
Vincakes
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2016 5:52 pm

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Vincakes »

A very good question would be nice to have some honest opinions about both schools to help us parents decide what is best for our daughters

TIA
Bananas
Posts: 141
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:52 am

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Bananas »

I've only been round Woodford on the open day so don't know too much though know Headmistress and she is lovely.

On open day buildings impressive from outside, rundown on inside and smelt terrible in many rooms but had been raining heavily and hopefully it was just a damp smell but was overpowering. Looked like it needed a lot spending on it but that doesn't bother me much but would hope girls don't have that terrible smell everyday.

Girls were lovely, bright, keen, gentle, down to earth but keen to do well and think there would be almost no bullying.

Reasonable bus links to outside the door though quite far to walk from tube. Academically similar to a private for free. Socially weaker as pupils came from a very large area but after school clubs each day to at least 5pm though half were homework clubs!

Lots of people have told me not to apply as its 95% Asian and say my DD she will have no friends but a lot of that is just racist and Asian girls are lovely. Compared to privates its £15,500 a year cheaper, same academically. Facilities much worse, girls less confident but still OK, socially and sporting quite weak. Most people round here opt for private if they can afford it and I would say private has the edge but isn't £15,500 better. It's my first choice in the state sector but if money were no issue would go private. Has reputation for being all work and no play but didn't seem overly like that to me. Someone whose been at the school would know a lot better though met someone who went there who said they wouldn't go there and were going private. We are very close to school but almost no one applies here, its very strange.

Don't know Chelmsford, have been told its better than Woodford but its too far from here at around an hour each way.
Vincakes
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2016 5:52 pm

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Vincakes »

Thank you for your prompt and lengthy reply.

I've also only seen the school on the open day as you mentioned it was raining and there were a lot of people.

From the couple of girls that were showing us around they didn't seem that interested and were playing around on their phones whilst on the tour.

My daughter is currently at Chigwell school, very lovely school but academically she's just not finding that it's challenging her hence our options led us to grammar schools.

Great to hear mums from both Woodford and Chelmsford share their stories.
Pasta
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2016 11:23 am

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Pasta »

Another parent in a similar and fortunate position, good to share experiences and thoughts!

I can relate with a lot of what banana has said and vincakes tour. There are many folks on here that provide good/practical advice towards choosing the closest school, but if that school does not offer anything outside brilliant grades, then as a parent, is it mad to consider selecting the school further away to give them these opportunities, (assuming CCHS does have the stronger sport, music and drama, development and leadership skills to develop the girls). The commute appears to be the biggest influence against CCHS?

I would be also interested in current parents thoughts of both school.
ToadMum
Posts: 11947
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:41 pm
Location: Essex

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by ToadMum »

Vincakes wrote:Thank you for your prompt and lengthy reply.

I've also only seen the school on the open day as you mentioned it was raining and there were a lot of people.

From the couple of girls that were showing us around they didn't seem that interested and were playing around on their phones whilst on the tour.

My daughter is currently at Chigwell school, very lovely school but academically she's just not finding that it's challenging her hence our options led us to grammar schools.

Great to hear mums from both Woodford and Chelmsford share their stories.
if Chigwell isn't academically challenging enough, I do hope it's not one of the independent schools alluded to in Bananas' post, the academic equal of which WCHS is, even if it does do it for free.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx
Bananas
Posts: 141
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:52 am

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Bananas »

The 3 main privates round here are Bancrofts, Chigwell and Forest. Bancrofts is often the preferred choice.

Only been on open days at Bancrofts and Chigwell. Academically almost identical results to Woodford. Bancrofts is regarded as the more academic but it's slight. Loved Bancrofts though haven't met new head, Chigwell was nice but couldn't justify the money.

Woodford said to have no social life but around here a lot of people go to David Lloyd for that as we do. Much cheaper than private school and similar sporting facilities and social life. Indoor and outdoor pool, spa, play centre, tennis, gym, social area, around 2k pa for family of 4 and keeps adults fit and socialised too! Just another option. If you are commuting 3 hours not sure when you would get time for clubs considering there is homework every night.
Vincakes
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2016 5:52 pm

Re: woodford OR chelmsford

Post by Vincakes »

I do agree Bananas on bancrofts, it is definitely the most academic, a friends son last year left Chigwell to attend secondary education there... again he was very bright and getting bored, currently loving his new school. Chigwell is definitely sporty school but for me standards are slipping.

And yes for us CCHS is 40/45 mins away opposed to Woodford 15/20mins but you have to choose the correct school for our DC.

My daughter is used to travel since the age of 3 so for her CCHS is the best choice.
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