Prep schools with the most 'academic' reputations Post Reply

[GirlMum38]

Hi all - I am new to the area and have a 27 month old and a 3 month old girl. We are down for open days at all the prep schools in the area and I've trawled through old posts, but does anyone have any current insight into which the most 'academic' prep school in this area is? Newton Prep and The Roche are too far away - we are BTC and moving to Nightingale Triangle shortly. On the list are Thomas's, Dolphin, Finton, Hornsby, Eveline, Eaton House, Broomwood and Parkgate House. I'd like to say I'm not a pushy parent... but my husband and I both come from very strong academic backgrounds, and if we pay for prep school we'd be doing it for academics (and possibly music facilities) rather than, say, the sporting prowess and hockey pitch, IYKWIM. Our 2 year old is clearly bright, but obviously we have no idea how that will pan out in a school environment. I am committed to choosing the right prep and secondary school for them rather than forcing them into things, but if it turns out she's a real bright spark at St Paul's Girls' or JAGS level, I want her to be somewhere where that will be identified and where she will achieve her best potential. Any intel very gratefully received! They all say the same stuff at open days...

[Pigeon500]

I think Thomas’, Hornsby and Eaton get the strongest results in terms of leavers destination- especially in terms of london day schools. Not much track record for any of them for SPGS, you’d really need to look at the feeder schools for that (i.e bute house, pembridge hall and glendower). The schools around here will get you into JAGS, Alleyns, Wimbledon High, Putney High, etc. My kids have been at Hornsby and Eaton and they both have different approaches- Eaton is more traditionally academic whilst Hornsby starts slower but ramps up very fast in Y5.
The caveat to that is that for boys, the Eaton results are unquestionably the best, if you’re looking at traditional public schools.

[GirlMum38]

Thank you for that. We have two girls and plan would be 11+ and London/home counties day school. So I suppose the question is as much "which local school gets the highest and most consistent 11+ results." I am hesitant re Thomas's as only 20% leave at 11+ and there is currently a push to get girls to stay through to year 8 (so they said on a tour this week). That being the case, I'm not sure how proactive the school is going to be in helping girls get the very best 11+ results they can. At those prices we wouldn't be looking to get tuition on the side!

[Onetwothreego]

Eveline is known to be academic but not in a pushy way. I know two teachers who worked there and then moved to two other local independent preps. Both said that the kids in Eveline were ahead by roughly a year. It is a small school though so limitations on sport.

[Pigeon50]

For 11+ london day schools look at Eaton and Hornsby. The reality though is that almost everyone is tutored for at least half a year in the run of to the exams. Most people assign tutors in the January of year 5 and that takes them through to sitting the exams in November-January of year 6…..

[siying]

Depends on where you live and how long the school journey you can afford each day.  My daughter went to Kensington Prep for KS1, absolutely loved it, very academic and musical. However you might also want to fact in the recent driving restriction around Wandsworth Bridge Road.

[Brw25]

Given your preference for academic and music more than sport and the goal to go a secondary day school, i would look at primaries with no secondary school attached as their primary goal will not be to prepare the kids. As someone else wrote, kids at Hornsby and Finton are tutored, so prepare to spend for this on the top of the fees. Extra curriculum are all strong especially sport. Eveline is a small school with small classes so tutoring is not required as it is 1:1 tailored for the whole six years, music and drama is very strong but sport is less.

[Medicalmam]

As most schools (both 11+ entry and 13+ entry) test at year 6, the schools will prepare for exams at year 6 regardless of their exit point. Thomas’s prepared my children well for exit with no additional tutoring required. I honestly don’t think you need to worry too much, all the schools listed are excellent schools.

[dudette]

You should choose the school that you think is right for your child - in other words where you think she will be happiest - and at this point it’s probably too early to say. Having said that, if you choose a school that goes up to 13 and you know you definitely want her to leave at 11, then be aware that she won’t reach the top of the school and so will miss out on leadership opportunities (prefects, head girl, head chorister, house captain etc) as these are reserved for year 8. Mine went all the way through to year 8 and these roles were very beneficial. Most schools will publish their leavers destinations so ask to see them. Also be aware that St Paul’s girls school doesn’t seem a very popular choice round here (although the boys’ school is for some reason.) Personally I would be very wary of sending a girl to a highly academic girls’ school unless she’s absolutely brilliant. And as you are obviously aware from what you said, just because you and your husband are very academic it doesn’t always translate to the next generation. I know a few families with both parents Oxbridge graduates whose offspring struggled to get into the school of their choice. Go and visit all the schools and get your daughter’s name down for all the ones you like asap.

[dolphindad]

Both my children are at Dolphin and whilst I have been impressed with the academic standards at the school, I am also happy with the rest of their education - sport, music and arts etc. The small class sizes are great for those really talented children to extend them where they need it, but support in other areas too which they will always need.  Its not a pushy place and the parents aren't bad either I'd take a look.

[Moonlightdawn]

Could not agree more with Dudette. Wait and see what your children are into, what skills and qualities they develop. They are still so small.

You have a good list of schools there. I’d also think about the pros and cons of co-ed versus single sex schools. Bear in mind that Dolphin is very much a Christian school and children are expected to take part in prayers and other Christian activities. Hornsby House and Finton House: you have to register your children when they are babies. The wait list is long.

And yes, as Dudette says just because you and your husband are academic, it doesn’t mean your children will be. St Paul’s is academically very pressurised and tends to suit a certain character (basically ambitious, single-minded, confident and thick-skinned). Definitely caters for a real niche type of child. Is that the type of environment that you would like for your children / would they suit it?

Don’t underestimate the importance of sports. Sports helps children develop character and learn important social and brain skills such as problem-solving, resilience, perseverance, confidence and teamwork. Absolutely essential and so many mental health benefits too.

[Beachboys]

We chose Dolphin School and couldn't be happier. My older two have left now to a top London day school and my youngest is still there.

What I really love about their approach is the ethos that happy children will do their best in exams. I compare this to my own school experience, which was very traditionally academic (lots of homework and rote learning) and intensely competitive (streaming from the age of 8) and I know that's definitely not what I want for my kids.

Dolphin's approach is very child-centred -- the academics are a core focus, but each child's strengths, including sports, music, drama and art, are also nurtured and celebrated.       

The small classes mean that the staff have an excellent handle on each child's academic abilities. For example, my three have turned out to be real Maths nerds -- the school identified this early on and ensured that they were challenged beyond the national curriculum. Although we didn't tutor, my oldest was offered academic scholarships at all the secondary schools he applied to. 

Equally importantly, the staff also get to know all the kids' personalities and interests. My oldest was obsessed with quantum mechanics at one point, and his teacher gave him a Richard Feynman book she'd seen in a second-hand bookstore because she thought he'd enjoy it. My youngest loves football and the school let him and a friend organise and run a little World Cup competition amongst the pupils last year.  

It's a Christian school but as a committed atheist myself I think that's actually a very useful framework to get children thinking about morality and the influence of Christianity on art, culture and history.  

All the schools on your longlist are excellent -- hope you have fun on the open days and good luck with your choice!

[Mumstheword2015]

I am so happy you have chosen to go and see Dolphin. Mr Gosden is a great Head. Very approachable and very relatable. He is for the pupils. Sian Gates is an amazing Chair of Governors; I have never come across a set of governors who are so visible and involved in the make up of a school. As parents, we get to reap the rewards produced by this wonderful collaboration between the Head and Governors. How many parents can name all the governors on their child's school board?  Its a Trust; fees are cheaper and so already you know there is no money making agenda- its all about the children thriving and they do!! 

Non selective but very much an academic school. Last year or the year before 28 pupils 21 scholarships (check out the post on Instagram @Dolphinschool.london). Check out the leavers destinations  Even though, the class sizes are small, they still have TAs - quality of teaching is impeccable and each individual's needs are being catered to. Because the Class Teachers are Christian they see it as their duty to deliver creative teaching styles, challenging activities and see to it that the children are pushed and reach their potential to the fullest - So it being a Christian school really is to the child's advantage because they don't see teaching as a job or a career but rather a calling. I as a parent have seen my children's teacher go beyond the call of duty because they love what they do.  

The children go on to great schools- all the school's mentioned by yourself and others in the thread. Being a Dolphin, you are encouraged to make your mark in the world to do something brilliant which many of the alumni don't fall short of. 

The School is proud to sit on Northcote road and has fostered partnerships with many of the local businesses. Lunches are provided by a local restaurant on the Northcote (Al Gusto) and on Fridays I get to attend the assemblies - Which before you make your decision, you should attend- you really get a sense of what the school is all about. The children are happy and full of life. You get to hear the wonderful things the children have been up to and individuals being celebrated for their achievements both academic/non academic both in school/out of school.

Dolphin School is a great community to be a part of regardless of your faith. I cannot sing its praises enough.

I hope you find the right school for your child. 

[Schoolpost2022]

For context - I have gone through the 11+ process a number of times.... and have kids at different secondary schools.

If you son / daughter is going to get into St Paul's or JAGs - they will get there regardless of what prep school (or local primary) you send them to ! If a super academic secondary is not for them - there is no prep school that will get them in. And even if with the help of the prep school and perhaps some additional tutoring they do manage to pass the entrance exam, do you honestly want your kids to struggle at a secondary school that is essentially too fast paced for them ?

I also would not underestimate how important sport is for kids mental wellbeing. Whether they are future GB hockey players or just want to have a run around. Personally, the main reason we ended up going the private route for primary was the additional sports / music / drama more than for the academics ... academically I am sure my kids would have done just as well at Belleville or Honeywell.

I have to admit that i find this obsession in SW11 with "academics " just a little strange !

[Jelly123]

I think you may find Eaton House is a good fit from your description. We have found it a good balance of academic, very caring, very tailored to girls and a school with a lot of experience. We particularly like that it is 2 form entry, rather than 4 forms like some of the others. The facilities are great. The new Head of the girls’ school came from Bute House over the river which is a big SPGS feeder but has an ethos to minimise competition and let the children just enjoy their learning. We have found her to be really experienced and friendly. She knows my daughters very well even after one term in the school.

Like you, if paying fees we wanted to feel money is helping our child reach their potential. Not necessarily to be the best in the class but to have the opportunity and support to achieve what she is capable of. We moved initially as older DD was struggling at a bigger co-ed prep but the main support was to pay for additional tutoring from the teachers. This was a while ago so I am sure times have changed. She has just got some solid 11+ results including a JAGs offer. I would also really recommend the nursery at Eaton. It is heaven for 2 year olds and very convenient if you have older children on the site.

As other posters have said, all the preps around here are great and will prepare your child well. As you want the 11+ exit and have two girls, I would avoid 13+ schools like previous posters have mentioned.