Parkgate to Eaton House Post Reply

[S.J]

Would love some feedback from parents who have moved their Boys from Parkgate to Eaton House.

Is the grass greener, or did you regret the decision?

I’m a mother of a boy at Parkgate House school. He is in Nursery and happy. An unexpected place has become available at Eaton House and I don’t know wether to accept it or not.

I did love the facilities at EH and my son loves sports, but it’s hard to tell when they are so young what the best choice is.

Would love to hear from families that moved boys into EH and if they are happy and if it was the right thing to do, or if they are filled with regret.
Happy for you to PM me if you don’t want to post.

Also, are they caring and nuturing at EH? Have heard the pastoral care isn’t as good?
For instance if my child is upset about starting, will they make a big effort to settle him or will he just ‘have to get on with it?’ The teachers for the younger years at PHS are so maternal and caring I would hate for them to be very different at EH.


I don’t have a long time to decide so I’m panicking a bit and want to make an informed desicion. Any feedback would be greatly received!


Many thanks

[lehpm]

I can’t help, but following as I would also love to know about this.

[SW12Pops]

I have a friend who did exactly this but a few years ago.

They are very very different schools.

One is not better than the other, but the difference is very very profound.

Parkgate is kinder, more nurturing and much much smaller. Not just physically but it has a small school feel. Quieter children are looked out for and it would be very hard for a child to get lost in the system.

That can mean that boys in particular are not exposed to the rough and tumble of larger schools and some parents might like that.

Others may feel their boys need to experience that as “its life”.

Three clear examples from my friend...

1. Sport teams. My friends son was excited about joining a bigger more competitive school with better teams. Problem was he then didn’t get into any as the competition was too fierce. This was a big deal.

2. They felt as a family that the other boys didn’t even realise a new lad had started and so he actually had fewer friends in a larger school

3. Parents were less friendly, Parkgate has a closer parental network

I haven’t had children at either school but they are different. For an extravert very sporty child who needs a bigger environment I’m sure it’s great / for my friends it didn’t work.

[Moonlightdawn]

Hi - I have some thoughts on this. We are in a similar position.

I will PM you.

[S.J]

Thank you SW12Pops

Gives me food for thought and greatly appreciate your feedback.

Anyone else? I know so many boys are moved from PHS to EHS that some more parents must be able to comment.

[minxymoomoo]

Dear SJ

I moved my son from PHS to EHTM.  The reason we moved was the lack of boys in his year.  Both schools are very good and very different.  SW12pops made fair and good points.

At EHTM there are lots of boys in each year.  They play on the common at lunch time, which I like, and have sufficient numbers to make up a cricket/football/rugby etc team. Also a decent art room.   I do miss the nurturing and parental network at PHS but do not regret moving my son.  He made really lovely friends at EHTM

Good luck its a difficult decision.

[S.J]

Thank you Minxymoomoo.
Can I ask how old your son was when you moved him?

[Teacherlady]

Not sure why it’s posted twice! Sorry!

[Teacherlady]

1. Sport teams. My friends son was excited about joining a bigger more competitive school with better teams. Problem was he then didn’t get into any as the competition was too fierce. This was a big deal.

2. They felt as a family that the other boys didn’t even realise a new lad had started and so he actually had fewer friends in a larger school.

1. I don’t know how old your son is, but at pre-prep level, all the boys get to play sports regardless of ability. It’s true that the really talented ones might be picked for house competitions, but all children are given opportunities to better their skills - year two and three boys have the choice to join ‘squad’ which they do at lunchtime instead of play, where they learn extra skills. Also there are after school sports clubs, or even run club in the morning! One of my boys last year joined run club, worked his arse off and won medals at sports day. The previous year he’d won nothing. The opportunities are there for those who want it!

2. Every new boy that I’ve ever had join (and there’s always one or two) has immediately been invited to birthday parties, play dates etc. Teachers and class reps introduce and facilitate interaction because it can only ever benefit the whole class. Obviously it depends a little on what type of parents you get, but I’ve never met an unfriendly bunch!

[minxymoomoo]

Thank you Minxymoomoo.
Can I ask how old your son was when you moved him?

Hi

Year 4.  We were lucky they had a space available.  On a plus all the boys going into year 4 change classes and move up from the pre prep to the prep, big change for all of them not just new starters.

 

[S.J]

Thank you all for your feedback.

Really useful and gives me food for thought.

Can I just mention one more thing that might sway us to make a desicion.

Admin. Are EH notoriously bad at admin?

So far o have had 4 emails offering him a place. The school location is wrong, as is his age and the class he is going in?

Ie: instead of Eaton house the manor 2019 reception, I get Eaton house belgravia, reception 2025????

And response takes about a week. I’m rather shocked by this to say the least and will find this continued office errors very frustrating.

Do EH parents find this an issue? Are they renowned to be bad in this area?