Mumsnet Talk

Dear peeps,

Am very confused - my son has had offers from radlett prep, orley farm and quainton hall for reception entry. Any thoughts and guidance will be much appreciated......

We are really struggling to decide between Orley Farm and Radlett for our son as well. have you had any further thoughts??

The head at Orley Farm is lovely. He is very committed to his role, and will make sure that all children go to the appropriate senior school for them.

Think a little long term look at where the children move on to for senior school and see if that fits in with what you want for your child.

Quainton hall over orley farm - nooooo! (IMO)

Boy or girl?

(Sorry - directed at 123456)

My nephew has just finished Radlett prep. All in all his parents felt he had a great education and I know he really enjoyed it. Given its location the school is about 1 third Asian, 1 third White and 1 third Jewish with all the Jewish holidays celebrated. My sister in law is all for ethnic mixes , she her self is non-white but certainly early on my nephew did become somewhat confused over his ethnic background given the strong bias . Not a negative but something to be aware of.

Hi Prepnomore,

Thanks for your detailed review about Orley Farm.

My son too received offers from both Orley Farm and Quainton Hall and it helps to have some real reviews from parents who are associated with school.

Tiku / Unsure1234567,

I believe the deadline for Orley farm was 31st Jan. Have you opted for any school?

Dear PrepnoMore,
It sounds like you have had some issues with this school but please do not let it tarnish it for everybody else. We have been at Orley Farm for many years. The teachers are fantastic, smiling, happy and can't do enough to help.The same with all the teams including the ground staff, caterers, medical team and office staff. There is a huge family feeling which has been there for many years. The pre-prep staff are fabulous. They are smiling from the time that they greet your child in the morning to when they give them back to you in the afternoon. This follows throughout the school. The gates have gone up in the school to give more security, this is the same throughout many schools. The teachers and senior staff are very accessible and you can set up a meeting almost with immediacy. The diary report, is a very valuable asset, which is weekly and you get to know how well your child frequently. I have visited many schools and not one has had such a regular feedback system with regards to grading. I have never experienced bad feeling around the school anywhere. There are always happy smiling faces from both staff and children. My children love it there and it has been very difficult for us to find a senior school that we felt the same way about. My oldest, when they left, said the food in particular, never compared to this school. The food is superb. My children have not experienced the language that you have discussed. The drive by system is essential for traffic as the parking is very limited on the private road outside the school. I would urge you to find a better system. It has been well thought out and put in place over many years. I have never found it problem getting through to the bursary, but I must admit I email so have never experienced the phone system.
In short, this school is the best prep school that I have seen in a few miles. To any new potential parent, please come and see our school and make up your own mind. The parents at this school are very friendly and many have made friends for life. I know, from speaking to many parents at the school, that I speak for the majority. I was very upset to see that review and felt compelled to give you another prospective.

I have children at Orley and my experience is mixed. Pre prep is fantastic. There is nowhere better but it is like a different school. We have had a bad experience at middle and upper school. We'll be moving the children when they are old enough to cope with a longer commute.