HELP! Newton Prep/The Roche or Broomwood Hall Post Reply

[Bababoom]

Dear all Helpful Mamas out there,

We moved back to London just last month and have been applying to several Prep schools for DD with a focus on the south/sw area. 

The responses we received have been great, DD has been offered a place by Newton Prep/Broomwood Hall/The Roche School/Parkgate House/Dolphin School/White House Prep. 

Distance wise we are closest to BH, I visited it and thought the lower school is a bit small with small play area and class room/tables are quite dated. But the registrar who showed us around was very convincing and assured DD will be well taken cared of as a new transferred student with Buddy System etc which i find really helpful. It was my first choice (due to distance obviously) but have just heard negative comments from friends that this school could be too "Posh", and lack governance? Any comments anyone? 

Style wise, i like Newton Prep personally, just seem like a much more sophisticated school overall with modern up to date teaching method. But commune could be a pain (from Clapham south)!  I've heard many good reviews about this school but would like to know if you think this school has good pastoral care? DD is outgoing but sometimes easily get intimidated in a new environment... is NP run in a small class basis? Are they supportive to new student? 

The Roche - we could only tour the school virtually so couldn't get much feel about it, but according to what everyone says here at NPN it seems to be a very nice friendly nurturing school.... this school is far from where we live so we would like to hear more from you if we were to take the leap please!

As for the other 3 schools (Parkgate/Dolphin/Whitehouse), any views anyone? 

Really hope to hear from you soon as we need to decide by end of next week!!!

THank you!
 

[FrankJ]

My two daughters go the Newton Prep and we couldn't be more delighted. Both are very different from each other, but Newton Prep has found the right care for each of them. Also the facilities they have are second to now. We live near Clapham Common Westside, so commute also is not as good if they went to a more local school, but we are happy to do it given how much they both love to go to school everyday.

[workingMumfromBalham]

Hi Bababoom!

We're certainly spoilt for choice in this area.  All the schools are excellent, so it's a nice problem to have.  I've also heard that Broomwood is a bit 'posh'.  Apparently mums were critiqued for attending a sports day wearing jeans instead of skirts, thereby setting a bad example for the girls???  But then, my own mother would probably approve of this...

We chose the White House primarily for it's amazing pastoral care.  DS is a summer baby, and could barely dress himself when he started Reception, so needed a nurturing environment.  There's not been a day when he hasn't danced his way to school.  He can't wait for the holidays to end.  (We're quite pleased as well.)

White House has the smallest class sizes of all the schools in the area, so the teachers really get to know every single child and identify where they might need help.  Results speak for themselves -- White House came SECOND in London in the SATs last year.  Amazing. 

The unexpected benefit of small classes is that it was the only school which could open fully -- for all years including 2,3,4,5 -- during the summer term this year (since the classes were already in small bubbles).  All my friends were incredibly jealous.  Must be one of the only schools in the UK which was able to do this?  Having said that, the school could not have done more to support us during home-schooling.  DS's teacher personally hand-delivered packs of work, and they had face-to-face lessons on Google Classroom for most of the day, every day.

What other nice things can I say?  The other parents are super friendly and there's a great parents committee which organises lots of events (or used to, before the pandemic).  You'll be up to your eyeballs in birthday parties and playdates, which is my favourite thing of all.  Can't be a coincidence that all the kids turn out as these well-spoken, polite, quietly-confident little humans (who are now also very, very good at online meetings).

[MummyWalker]

Those posh / jeans / sports day rumours always make me laugh but I can assure you that in 4 years as a Broomwood parent I’ve never seen any evidence of them being true!

It’s a gorgeous school and both my children are so happy there. Do feel free to PM me if there’s anything you want a current parent’s perspective on.

[Bababoom]

Thank you everyone for your reply! We will be visiting The Roche, Dolphin and White House next week and will decide soon!!! 

The fact that White House was open throughout lockdown is really quite something.... This piece of information has certainly have us looking into it again! Thanks workingmumfrombalham

FrankJ, NP is still my preferred choice at the moment, i like the modern approach, but should i be worried about the academic requirement? My daughter is not very academic, especially in Math... just don't want her to be demoralised.... 

Mummywalker i will PM you!

 

[Busymumof2SW]

If you are looking at the White House it is worth looking at Eveline Day as well. They both have a similar small school feel about them.
Eveline Day is also open 51 weeks of the year 7:30-6:30. The kids can actually go to school during holidays. It is a great wrap around care for working parents.

[luckymummy]

I am a Broomwood parent and have been for 6 years, the jeans rumour was around then too! I live in jeans so nothing to worry about. Parents are down to earth and lovely and the school has been incredibly nurturing for my children who are very different in personality. My children have had a very happy time there and there is definitely something to be said for an easy commute to school. Please feel free to message me if you have any more specific questions. 

[Starr]

All of them will be posh and not so posh, there is no point worrying about fitting in. In my daughter's prep year there is a billionaires grandchild and there are children who've never been abroad and children who live in flats.This is London and lots of people use private schools if they can afford them, or have bursaries. Go with the one with a nice commute and has a feel that you like.

[atbattersea]

NP has streaming in maths in the upper school, from y3 I think, so accommodates all standards.

[atbattersea]

…and children who live in flats.

Oh dear, how can you bear your child to go to school with such uncouth urchins!

[Starr]

Ha! I meant nobody gives a monkeys!!
more snobbery at your average SW London school gate from my experience lol

[Danishmum3]

I didn’t get it..some flats worth much more than the average Victorian house!

[Goldhawk]

Best to choose somewhere you can walk to - more likely to have local friends and playdates

[Starr]

Have to agree about the importance of being close, especially because of all the road closures that have come into effect!

[Beachboys]

I have 2 kids at Dolphin School and 1 who's just finished Year 6. It's a fab school and we love it for many reasons, chiefly that the academics are strong and the kids are well-balanced. Class sizes are small and the staff make learning fun. Do PM me for more info if you'd like. 
Having said that, we are indeed spoilt for choice. I have friends with kids at Broomwood and Newton Prep and they're all happy. All the schools have a different vibe but you've just got to choose what ticks the most boxes for you.