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any jnfo re private schools bucks
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:56 pm
by claire142
we are moving and unsure whether to be v strapped for cash and privately educate or not any feelings been looking at gatewaygt missenden ,st teresas missenden any ideas or info
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:58 pm
by Ed's mum
I'm afraid I don't have any info on those schools. Have you also posted this on the Bucks section? It might be an idea to.
Good luck with your house move and school search.
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:10 pm
by T.i.p.s.y
IMO, there are not that many good independent schools in the area but plenty of good GS and comps - I wouldn't waster my money.
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:28 am
by zee
In Bucks all state secondary education is selective. About 25-30% qualify for grammar school via 11+.
One side effect is lots of vg indie prep schools, but relatively few indie senior schools - many of those who would otherwise have stayed in indie sector transfer to grammar.
It also means that the indie seniors that there are are less likely to be academic day schools than might be expected for the affluence of the area.
You might find it helpful to know that in Bucks some of the grammars are called xx High School. The secondary moderns are described as Upper Schools (though they don't usually have that in their name).
I would add one caveat to Tipsy's comment: whilst some of the uppers are good (they're not comps, though - there aren't any of those in Bucks), some of them are not. So, if you end up going the state route, you need to ensure you're in catchment for one of the good uppers, just in case your DC don't qualify for grammar.
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:25 pm
by bucks mum1
Hi Claire,
I see the schools you've asked about are junior independent schools so guess you're children are of primary age.
There are plenty of good prep schools in Bucks to choose from as well as good state primary schools. I know people who have had children at the Gateway and been very happy, likewise Pipers Corner is popular if you have a daughter.
The choice for girls after 11/13 years of age remains good in the independent sector but there are far less boys independent senior schools locally. Schools such as Berkamsted and Claires Court (Maidenhead) coach children from Bucks across the borders. As Zee and others have pointed out many children from independent schools opt for the Grammar School system at 11 yrs of age.
re state versus private
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:30 pm
by claire142
thanks all for the info any ideas on good state secondaries if the 11+ doesnt come off ??