Thomas's Clapham, Belleville or Honeywell? Post Reply

[hgxmhh]

We are looking at options for Reception and will have places at all of these three schools, and appreciate this is a very good position to be in. We do however have genuine questions around the choices available as a lot of the threads are relatively old.

In particular, we wanted to know if there has been (i) a shift in perception on Honeywell vs Belleville and (ii) whether Thomas's is academically rigorous (given that we will be paying a lot more money for it vs state). It is difficult to tell from the leaver outcomes.  

[Expatacular]

We were in this position and chose Thomas's. I can't speak first hand about the other schools but can share what I know from first-hand experience of T's and second hand (via friends) of B and H. 

First off, they are all great schools. I don't think there is a mistake to be made here. It's about priorities. If you haven't recently toured all three schools, I'd recommend going again. You'll get a gut feel and you should follow it. We have been very happy with T's. It is not a hothouse but I think it is very academically rigorous and comprehensive. If you are seeking an overtly academically pushy school, you should look elsewhere. That's not the ethos or the priority of the school. That said, it is definitely academic and they have the resources and ability to challenge the children who are ready for it, and to support those who need additional help. To me, this is probably the biggest difference between T's and B/H. I have always felt like they really know my children, immediately tell where they need additional academic challenge and/or support, and then proactively offer it. One of my children is very academically able and has always been challenged to achieve their full potential. My understanding from talking to friends with kids at the other local schools is that they don't always feel that the schools provide this. In terms of human resources as well as co-curricular support, and exposure to a range of topics/interests, I can't imagine a school could do more than T's.

The only other thing I'd add is that we have many friends who chose B/H for their children and have been very happy there. A small number of them have decided to pull their kids out after Year 2 and send them to a local independent school because they didn't feel their children were getting enough academic challenge and/or support within the schools. It's anecdotal, and not universally true, but I thought it was worth mentioning in the context of your question. 

[Claphamlife]

I don't have any experience of Thomas's I'm afraid but we pulled our child out from Honeywell and he is now in a good independent school. The infant school was amazing but the junior school was not - it's a different culture and the kids are not challenged at all. It's only ok if you have a child who really struggles (although I also hear awful stories about it from our friends who are still there so different experiences) or child who is so independent or amazing and mature that they would do well wherever they are. For the remaining 80%, I wouldn't recommend it... We have friends at Belleville who are very happy though. Most of our friends at Honeywell are not and can't wait to get out. Most kids do 10+. It speaks volumes

[curly]

Everyone is going to have different experiences. I had one child who did well and Belleville and it suited them but I pulled the other one out and moved them to Honeywell, which they thrived in.

Both are now in independent secondary schools and I am happy that I saved the money on Independant primary fees.

It all depends on what your child is like. If they are someone who enjoys learning and is enthusiastic then they will get on everywhere.

I found Honeywell much more supportive than Belleville which was more regimented in its approach.

It is not the end of the world if you start at one school and then change if you don’t think it is the right school. All the schools are transient as people moved in and out of this area a lot.

[noddy]

Hi- our son goes to Belleville and we are pretty happy with it. He has really thrived there with excellent teachers right through. The academic level and approach is very good- what is missing is mostly the extras- not enough art or sport. So we supplement those after school. My son is academically more advanced so we make sure we provide some extra maths etc as well. I think the main difference is that it is much more diverse than Thomas” from my perception of having friends with kids there- if that is a consideration for you. He has benefitted from having kids around him from various backgrounds- and they learn a lot from each other. The parents community is excellent and we have made really good friends who live locally. We could afford independent but have kept him at Belleville for various reasons - mostly because he loves it and is progressing at a good academic level. Get it touch via dm if you”d like more info.

[JulietteJ]

We had the option of sending our son to a private school but choose BV. It's still early days but BV has exceeded our expectations so far, especially on the academic front. They have had homework from day one, maths and reading is a large focus and the children were presenting in front of their classroom during the first couple of weeks. Our child is also mixing with kids from all sorts of backgrounds and I think getting on with a wide range of people (social/cultural), is a big skill for life.

One of the benefits I saw of going with Thomas's would have been the school grounds (outside), which I found the most impressive out of all states and private primaries. As well as an impressive arts facility and swimming lessons.

BV is a large, vibrant school with excellent teaching and a strong PTA (the parents are very involved). Big classes of 30 kids are not for all children, but the benefit is they get a wider range of friends and we know a lot of families in NV now!

On another note, I haven't heard the best things from friends who have sent their kids to Thomas's, so I think that impacted our decision too.