The Christian School (Takeley) Reviews 

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the school asking former parents for financial donations due to dwindling pupil numbers, it was padded out to make it less direct but that was basically the point of the email. I would have thought they’d check their distribution list before sending out a blanket email due to the fact quite a few families have left the school on bad terms in recent years. I assume it was sent to me in error.
The dwindling pupil numbers are not exclusively related to Covid, it’s because the school kept making errors and got a lot of bad press in the months before Covid. Many families left and they were unable to recoup the same number.
I am wondering what contingency plans the school has in place for the possibility of VAT being added to private school fees after the next election should there be a change of government. Is the school planning to absorb the increase in full or pass the additional 20 pct on to parents? Transparency around this is very important if you’re considering this school, ensure you frame your questions very carefully.

I have 2 grandchildren at Takeley, one of whom went there after a short traumatic time in a state school. He was supported in sensitive, thoughtful and caring ways which helped him to recover and to develop confidence, which allowed him to be able to thrive and be able to learn. The other child went straight into Takeley and has been nurtured in ways that have paved the way to also begin to achieve great things. I heartily support the school. It is an environment where children can attain their potential. It may not be right for every child, but with good support from their home, I think all children would do well in this school.
The recent Easter performance gave me pride to see both grandchildren standing tall and confidently engaging in a community activity.

Love this school! I have progressed in my knowledge & education and have made lifelong friends, thank you TCST.

Someone leaving a one star review shouldn't suddenly trigger a flood of positive ones; it's a huge red flag. With fewer than 30 students enrolled, the desperation for more students becomes very obvious by everyone writing silly 5 star reviews at the same time. There were many bad reviews on google which the school ended up taking down as they can't handle the negative opinions🤦🏼‍♀️. I bet the school's scrambling to figure out how to delete the one star reviews on this platform too. Do yourself a favour and learn to take the one star reviews like champs!!🏅

I love this school. It has many attributes that most state schools sadly lack, and I speak with the experience of a teaching career of many years.

It is easy for a school to boast of a philosophy or ethos on paper, but which in reality often does not exist in practice. This school really does do what it says on the tin. It is a small, friendly, caring community that espouses a true Christian ethos in the way children are taught and cared for. The staff are dedicated to creating an educational experience in the context of a thriving family of individuals.

I cannot emphasise enough as an ex-teacher the importance of learning in small groups. Its small size means that everyone knows everyone else and it is the ideal environment for boys and girls who might otherwise struggle in the often harsh conditions of a large state school, to feel safe and thrive and develop their personality. Learning in small class groups is also an advantage from which a child will benefit and value the individual attention they are able to receive.

An education is not just learning academic subjects. At TCST it is very much also about living together in a community, treating each other kindly and with care and having the space and freedom to grow. Whenever I visit the school I see and feel this in practice, and always delight in the warm atmosphere the school has created.

If you send your child to TCST you should rightly expect something different and more valuable than is on offer at most state schools, given that you are paying a fee. I hope I have indicated some of the perhaps hidden value for money you will be getting for your child, as well as some of the more obvious advantages of a small scale operation.

TCST is unique in many positive ways and is money well spent.

My son has been at the school for 5 years since joining in year 4 and I cannot recommend the school highly enough. It is a small school so does not have the facilities of other local schools but these areas are more than catered for with outsourcing so do not let this put you off. The kind, caring and knowledgeable staff obviously love what they do and with the small class sizes they are able to individually cater for each child’s individual needs. It is a real comfort to know that if he is worried or struggling with anything he feels able to talk to his teachers who will guide and advise him accordingly. The children’s wellbeing is at the heart of what they do. Due to a relocation my son will soon be leaving the school but I would like to thank all the staff at TCST for helping me raise my son into the confident, kind and thoughtful young man he is today. I truly believe money cannot buy what this school has to offer.

increadable school realy helped me in my time of need, i was incredibly outcast from a main stream school environment previously and had been homeschooled for two years but tcst realy helped me, perfect for people who are not realy happy with public schools

This is the most amazing school. It has small class sizes which allows all pupils to thrive academically but also as a community. It puts the pupil and Christian faith at the heart of a rich and varied experience.

The school demonstrates that there is another way outside of the mainstream. If your child is struggling in that environment for any reason then this is the answer to your prayers.

The fees are amazing value for money, cheaper than a few months of private lessons and the staff are a cut above.

This lovely school has been life-changing for my son. The caring, nurturing environment has really allowed him to shine and to thrive.
The teachers are fantastic and really care about students, always going the extra mile. My son joined the school in year 7 and is in year 11 about to do his GCSEs. The small class size means that he has been given all the support he could need.
I never had to worry about bullying in this school as it is non-existent in this caring school. It´s been fantastic for our family and I would highly recommend it. We will really miss the school community when my son finishes school this year.

This school has been a God send for my child. They have been welcoming, kind and given them a great education over the last few years.

They really shone during Covid and have continued to be proactive and forward thinking around education and how to apply a caring and safe environment for all.

There is very little to no bullying in this school and has proven to provide a great stepping stone to move on to further education.

This school is amazing, kind hearted and perfectly suited to students who find larger schools more challenging. My experience with them has been incredible and I wouldn’t hesitate to whole heartedly recommend it to other people.

Strange this wasn’t showing….well I guess you have to make up your own mind don’t you. Anyway my experience and comments are as follows - last contact with the LADO regarding recent valid complaint was 21/06/23.
Didn’t really like having to pay extra at the end of one school year having already paid fully for the year, because they had spent more than they got in. No other way to put it. The people that run this school say the culture is about giving freely, but not being in control of the school finances or not financially forecasting properly is a joke. The problem with having only 27 children in the entire school, including just 2 in the junior school, is that unless the fees increase drastically it doesn’t seem viable.

Edited following response.
It’s definitely a good strategy to respond to negative reviews, you’re doing the right thing. Optimistic is all you can be given the situation. For the record I have had correspondence regarding my family’s experience at the school far more recently than 2018. People have the right to understand the school finances are not always as stable or well-managed as they would perhaps expect. I haven’t seen the latest set of financial accounts as they haven’t been published yet, but school fees are the main source of income in any independent school and obviously dependent on pupil numbers remaining stable.
I wish you good luck for the next academic year.

Our two daughters have thrived here due to the individual attention that they get from the very caring staff. They have been able to grow and learn at a pace that is right for them, without peer pressure. Our eldest daughter gained excellent GCSE results and was nurtured through a difficult time to be able to thrive in her chosen sixth form studies. The behaviour is excellent and the academic work is tailored to their needs. It is blessing to be part of this school and its family ethos.

Amazing school. My two girls have been there since they were 3 (now 10 & 12). The school has allowed them to thrive. I can’t recommend the school highly enough

Wow! Our daughter attended a taster day in May 2023. When we picked her up, she was beaming, talkative, and incredibly eager. She even asked if she could start the very next day.

Transitioning from her current school at the end of year 8 was a tough decision. It meant leaving behind everything and everyone she had grown accustomed to, starting anew, and making new friends. However, it was necessary due to severe bullying and overall unhappiness. We were so impressed by the kindness and ethos of the school.