We are moving to Cambridge soon and I am considering the Perse Pelican. My daughter is 21/2 so would enter in nursery. I wonder if anyone who has children there can tell me how their children found it and what the assessment session is like ? With such young children I would appreciate knowing what to expect. The children there seemed really happy, balanced and settled when we visited recently. I am looking at Sancton wood and also hoping to try for catchment at a good state primary but really would appreciate thoughts on the entrance procedure at Perse Nursery

Sancton Wood has a fantastic nursery - they got rated outstanding at Ofsted (along with Reception I think). If you contact them, you could have a look around and see what you think. I don't know much about the Pelican except that it has an excellent reputation. SW children are also happy, balanced and settled but you need to visit as many as possible. I know that isn't your question but I thought I'd answer anyway.

Thanks for that, I have that on my radar too!

The assessment is very friendly, the children go to a room with a few others and have some playtime, and then they do a short word recognition test in the corner with a member of staff - that probably takes 3-4 minutes maximum if I recall correctly. The whole thing is over in 10 minutes or so. It's a lovely school, our children are delighted to be there.

Not sure which side of Cambridge you will be on, but a fantastic prep (age 3 to 11) with an Outstanding rating from Ofsted is The Phoenix School Cambridge based in Willingham. They offer a teacher escorted taxi service from Cambridge and they have a number of Cambridge based parents who have opted for it over the larger Cambridge city schools due to its village location, smaller class sizes and very family focused ethos, as well as excellent languages provision and continuity from Pre-prep to Prep. They're always happy to show parents around at a time to suit you so take a look at their website at www.thephoenixschool.co.uk and give the lovely headmistress, Mrs Daire a call. My son loves it there and has been going since he was 3.

Slightly o/t but is anyone going to the prep school taster day tomorrow?? We are taking dd along. She's done the pre test and had the tour, so we are on step 3

Can anyone advise me what the assessment test is like for a reception child at the Perse Pelican?