"> To sum it up in one word: disappointing. My son has recently left John Lyon but he did not enjoy his years at the school. Bullying was a problem with the boys in our experience. Teacher morale was generally poor and the good teachers tended to leave after a couple of years. The school hierarchy have a much higher opinion of the school than the exam results warrant, and I think the school has been relying on its past reputation for too long. John Lyon used to be a very good school, but it needs a major overhaul to get back to where it used to be.

"> This school is simply wonderful, the care they have shown for my son and the opportunities they have provided him have been second to none. They provide a strong academic curriculum with many highlights to motivate the boys. The arts are celebrated and their hidden curriculum with sports, music, drama, and clubs has been breath taking. I wanted my son to be challenged but also to be able to express himself in his passions for music and sport. John Lyon has been with us every step of the way In supporting my son. The facilities are excellent and it is a happy and stimulating environment for learners. I am a state school teacher, and I have borrowed ideas and continue to from this school to share with my own students. Thank you to the headteacher and all the staff for their effort and support

"> Excellent care for my son and he is pushed hard to exceed our goals for him. Our son has been at John Lyon since joining from a local prep at age 13. We were initially impressed by the close personal input that all staff have with the children, my son was interviewed by the Head and settled in no time thanks to the Induction Programme. There aren't many schools where everyone knows your son's name and you are invited to the Head's house for dinner! We have been particularly impressed with the Science facilities and teaching, and my son has gone from a 'C' student to an A/B so we now fully understand what 'value-added' means whereas before joining the school it was a phrase we heard a lot from his prep head without any deep understanding. Perceptions of the school are definitely changing: the school hasn't been known for its outstanding success with Oxbridge entrants (which everyone seems so hung up with!) but first choice entries to good universities, lots of them Russell Group, get better every year. Just compare the staff list with any of the local private secondaries and the number of Oxbridge teachers they have brought in recently shows quite clearly where they are heading and we are glad that our son is going along for the ride.

"> My son attended The Russell School, a state primary in Chorleywood, and entered The John Lyon School in 2011 (aged 11). Other schools we considered included Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Chesham Grammar, Watford Grammar School for Boys, St. Clement Danes School (18th best state school in country on some measures), Merchant Taylors School, Berkhamstead School and Aldenham School. He failed the 11+ exam by the narrowest of margins (despite passing fairly comfortably on a mock exam under genuine exam conditions) and failed one of the three entrance papers at Merchant Taylors (expressive language and breadth of vocabulary a weakness at aged 11). St Clement Danes School (an excellent state school where most of his peer group transferred to) and Aldenham were real options (i.e. we were offered places). I ruled out Berkhamstead School because I wasn’t impressed when given a tour by the Head. Despite being a borderline entry at aged 11, my son was offered a place following an interview with the Head (Katherine Haynes) Accepting that offer was the best decision I ever made. 90% of the teaching of the school has been excellent. I don’t mark something as “excellent” lightly! The pastoral care of the school has been outstanding. At the beginning of Year 9 my son had “a wobble” about a change of classmates but the school handled it superbly by explaining (with ur consent) a medical condition my son has to the other boys. In Year 10 he spent some considerable time in the Royal Brompton Hospital’s Paediatric Heart & Lung Ward and again the school handled it superbly. Sporting opportunities are great and there is a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Though my son doesn’t do music or drama, I’ve attended several of the schools productions and they are amazing! My son achieved 5 A* and 6 As at GCSE and A* AA at A-Level (plus an A in his Extended Project Qualification). He will read Economics at the University of Warwick. The "added value" at the school is astonishing and the teachers are supportive of every pupil. More importantly, he has ENJOYED a happy and stable environment at the school for the past seven years. After GCSE's my son had the opportunity to switch to Dr Challoner's Sixth form (which we seriously considered and met their senior management team). We are pleased that he continued at The John Lyon School. If there is a better school, I have yet to see it. Now allow me to be less diplomatic - if your son puts in the work (not excessive (my son still played sport our of school, watched football etc etc)), this son WILL deliver. If your son does not apply himself, no school can deliver. My son has also developed into a polite young man - humble and no sense of entitlement. Is this son right if your son is in the highest cohort aged 11 (which my son wasn't). In my opinion, Undoubtedly "yes!" The school would deliver Oxbridge plus all the extra-curricular activities crucial for a rounded education.

"> My son spent 7 years here and left with great results and went on to a very good university. There are some excellent teachers and good facilities but there is always room for improvement. He was disappointed in the rather cramped Sixth Form and there needs to be more interaction with girls' schools to improve social interaction. Best to visit with your son and see if a small but caring school is for him. Generally we were happy with it.

"> My son goes to The John Lyon School and I am writing from first hand experience. The school, in my opinion, lacks collective quality and success. There are many individual successes here but as a cohort, they do not do well. This is the main problem. The school have seen a decline in results from past years and this just portrays the air of mediocrity that encompasses this school. One parent put it to me, it is a 'glamorised state school' and it really is. If you are considering sending your child here, I would advise to keep looking around. There are much better schools out there. Especially if you are considering the sixth form, which is below par compared to other schools.