Help! Dolphin or Finton House?? Post Reply

[jennywren]

Hi,

I really need some advice! We paid a deposit for Dolphin School for my daughter to join in September 2013 having been told by Finton House (our top choice) that she was so far down the waiting list we were not likely to get place. Yesterday however, we were offered a place at FH! I'm not sure whether to pull out of Dolphin and sacrafice our deposit and send her to FH or leave her at Dolphin. I really do think FH is excellent with great facilities, but I had worked out that my baby boy could go to nursery on Northcote Road to make things easier. We live in Earlsfield. I'm not sure if there is a nursery 'on the way' to FH, so we could have a logistical problem with FH if I go back to work after mat leave.

So it really comes down to which school is better, Dolphin or FH? I would really appreciate some advice from families who have kids at either school.
Thank you!

[juliantenniscoach]

It comes down to which school is better for your child and you logistics. Criteria on schooling is a matter of opinion and there's a broad church of opinion here for sure!

Have you checked out FH's development plans? That's going to be amazing when it's finished and an educational asset for sure.

[jennywren]

Thank you, yes the tricky thing is I really think my girl will thrive at both schools. They are equally nuturing. We are 1.8 miles from FH and 1.9 miles from Dolphin, so not much in logistics either, getting to and from either school is going to be a challenge. That's why I was hoping to get parent views on both schools. From the outside FH wins for us on facilities but is that really important?

[MGMidget]

How religious are you? That might be a factor. Dolphin is a more overtly Christian school than Finton which is non denominational. Finton has an outside play area (although not particularly big) whereas at Dolphin they use Wandsworth Common as they don't have their own outside space. There is a substantial difference in the fees at the two schools which might be a consideration for you as well. And the development plans at Finton will improve what is already a well regarded school. It's a very subjective decision though!

[jennywren]

Relegion is a good point and although we are Christians we're not the most dedicated. I do like Dolphin's ethos and it's definitely a factor we're considering. I was surprised that there really isn't as big a difference in fees as you might think, considering the facilities at FH and they provide lunch etc...I suspect the uniform will cost more too though!

[AbbevilleMummy]

I visited Dolphin and loved it and so have both my 2 down on the list there. I've no knowledge of FH as I missed the cut-off for getting my daughters name on the list but I live practically next door to FH and just wanted to let you know that there are a couple of fantastic nursery schools next to FH if that helps your decision at all.

[brihoney]

I know someone who has recently pulled 2 children out of FH for various reasons, but one being there were very few boys left after prep school age (i.e. zero), and not thinking that a particular teacher understood or nurtured their bright lively lovely child (who I know if great). Don't know if that helps, but I'm sure a lot of schools have particular 'types' that are suited to them, and others that would be happier elsewhere, but it is so hard to find out when you are choosing.

Goodluck

[jennywren]

Thank you, both comments have really helped. I would love to know the good nurseries around FH as it makes sense to have both kiddies in the vacinity. Very intrigued to know children have been pulled out! That sends off warning bells!!

I've also heard that some parents are quite snooty which worries me because we will be pulling out all the stops to afford this school and will not be jetting off to the Carribean in school holidays etc. I'm sure that shouldn't matter as long as my daughter doesn't pick up on it! I'm much more confident that Dolphin is 'down to earth'. I'll look into nurseries and then make a decision!

[AbbevilleMummy]

The Crescent I and II nurseries http://www.thekindergartens.com/locatio ... nt1_2.html

Marmalade Bear nursery http://www.caterpillarnursery.com/

Gateway House nursery http://www.gatewayhousenursery.co.uk/

They are all within a couple of minutes walk from FH. I've visited them all and was very impressed by them

Good luck

[AbbevilleMummy]

Oh I've just thought, these are all nursery schools as opposed to daycare nurseries which I know nothing about!

[mummo]

Be wary of letting your decision be swayed by a story of one family pulling their children out. There are stories like this for every school, alarm bells should only ring if there are hoards of parents pulling their children out, which I don't believe is the case at Finton House.

[Happymama]

Mummo you have taken the words out of my mouth!!! Please do not let this sway your decision! You hear stories like this about most of the schools, but in my experience it doesn't happen that often. Out of all my friends from my kids nursery I don't know anyone who is unhappy with their choice of school. I don't have an opinion on either schools as my kids don't go to either but I have happy friends at both. Trust your gut instinct. Good luck with your decision!

[emmakl]

My son started at Dolphin just after half term last term - he joined year2. His progress has been fantastic and we are over the moon! His confidence grows day by day (having been totally knocked at a CofE school in Chelsea) and we are sooooo glad we made the decision to move him!

So glad, in fact, that our daughter has also now started there - Reception is fantastic and they are all so lovely and welcoming - I can't praise the school enough!

Dolphin has had a wonderful expansion which was completed over the summer holidays, so if you have seen the school before, it would be worth going again now it is all done - a wonderful sports hall, science lab etc....

Ok, I'm slightly biased (!) but I do have first hand experience, and our 3rd will hopefully go to Noah's ark next year. We live on Windmill Road and the 'commute' is easy peasy - and lovely!

Hope that helps!

[Miriam]

I have heard Finton is a great school, although I can only give you my opinion from experience...
My son started in reception at Dolphin this month, and as a child who is very unsure of new things and would almost always make a fuss at drop off at nursery for 2 years (!), he has settled in amazingly well!
He had 2 or 3 wobbly days going in at the beginning and knowing him I was certain this would go on for weeks, however on day 4 he was brilliant, by the end of the week he was taking himself and enormouse school bag in to the building and downstairs to his classroom happily!
Last week he told me, unprompted, that he LOVED his new school. He has never said that before about nursery, camp etc and I think is a sure sign of how good the teachers are at encouraging and nurturing the children, creating a safe, interesting and stimulating environment and just showing real kindness!
We are not a religious family and I am nothing but impressed with the school and how right it is for my boy.
Good luck!!!

[jennywren]

Oh hell, I'm just trying to find a day nursery FH way because I thought we would go with that school. I've heard nothing but praise for both schools over the weekend, it's such a hard decision and I think my daughter (and new son) will be very happy at both schools. Logistics definitely easier to Northcote Road and have friends round there who can help me out if we get stuck after school. One thing really swaying me is FH provide very good food whereas my packed lunches will never be up to much at Dolphin! I must admit I worry about them trudging up to common everyday as well for their break times and games lessons as well.

I regually see very happy kids trotting down NR after Dolphin finishes and as someone pointed out we're very lucky to have an opportunity with either!