Thank you ladies for your messages and apologies for the late response. Really helpful and informative advice, and goes with my instincts in terms of not moving schools just yet.

I also have a very sporty son and we walk to school come rain or shine across the Common to Eaton House. It worth remembering that as they get older and play matches against local schools or stay late for clubs that picks ups and drop off times vary and can involve , depending on how many children you have, going back and forth to school several times in a day. A local school means I can pop back to collect that forgotten school bag or pop on to the common to watch a cricket match and then go back once after school club has finished. Walking to school is a fantastic chance for us to talk without worrying about traffic. Facilities are not the be all and end all , teaching is much more important and realistically although sport is a huge part of my son's school life at 8 he is not going to be a professional sportsman and thus its the academics that matter.

My children both go to DUCKS (Dulwich C. Kindergarten & Infant School), and we couldn't imagine a better school and community for our children. But we live in the Heaver Estate off Tooting Common, so the commute is about 20 minutes. This is ok, a bit tiring, but you have to drive or have someone drive in your place.
One family living off Battersea Rise whose father works at the College and whose children attend Ducks find the congestion of Battersea Rise and one-way systems around the area plus the distance from the school for school /social events too much. They are moving to Dulwich.
I thus agree with the post above. Find a school you really like locally, then move your children at 11+ or so when they can take buses and you can more easily arrange transport other than you driving.

My kids (9,11,13) all went to local primaries (private) and the two oldest have transferred to Dulwich College at 11. It has suited us well, they don't need all singing dancing facilities when they are young, they have local friends to have back for tea etc and when they are older they can walk round to mates houses and be independent. The Dulwich schools are great but you are at no disadvantage not going there for early years and KS2, in fact at Dulwich College there will be no automatic transfer at 11 and you have to sit the exam with everyone else. Stay local to start with, if you are itching to move them when they are 7/8 fair enough but I would say stay local until 11.

Hi there,

I had exactly the same thoughts last year ! We visited Alleyn's, JAPS and Dulwich college and really liked all 3 (quite difficult to get into Alleyn's at reception though as they only take 18 kids from memory....).

In the end we decided to send our kids to a local school and I think it worked out for the best for us. I guess it does kind of depend where you live in SW11 (we live near Battersea Rise), but we tested the commute a few times and it was pretty horrendous. On the worst day it took us almost 40 minutes each way !

I love the fact that we can walk to school and we always bump into other kids and other parents which gives it a lovely community feel. The other thing to consider is playdates...it will be harder to organise these when most of the kids that go to Alleyns, Japs and DCPS live locally.

I have 2 pretty active / sporty kids and we are really happy at Eaton House (we have a girl and a boy). The facilities are really good for a London school - they have 2 indoor gyms and a theatre which both boys and girls share (for plays and for assemblies). The kids use the common loads and they go swimming at the Latchmere once a week (the girls start at reception and the boys at Year 1). The after school clubs are also great with lots of choice for the sporty kids - Judo, games, tennis.

I have to say that I have no complaints at all and I think the new headmistress at the girls school is amazing and has completely transformed the school!

We will definitely look at the Dulwich schools after 11 / 13. I think there is also a bus that goes for Broomwood Road to Dulwich for the older kids.

Good luck with your decision !! (and I do hope this will not start a debate on the local schools…. The above is just my opinion as I have sporty kids like the Zanzibar!)

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have children at these schools and how do they compare to the Clapham Schools?

Namely, Parkgate House, Broomwood Hall, Eaton House ....

It's decision time for us in terms of schools, and we're not sure whether to go for the commute to Dulwich - where the schools all have wonderful facilities like pools and theatres, plus extensive grounds - or contonue at one of the Clapham Preps.

Not convinced a 4 and 2 year old will cope with the drive to Dulwich and back every day, but equally want to choose the best possible school with lots of outside space as our eldest is very sporty.

All your views and thoughts welcome!