Which girls schools must we register for at birth?

[xaj]

We have 2 boys already and are familiar with which schools we need to register for at birth to get on the list/waitlist (Wetherby Prep etc). We're now expecting a baby girl - so was wondering if there are schools we should make sure we take a look at ASAP so we can register at birth if it's necessary.

[Houseworkprocrastinator]

Are there really schools you have to do that?

[SanityClause]

I thought the popular schools were all selective, and tested at 4+ or 7+.

[xaj]

@Houseworkprocrastinator For boys you need to register for Wetherby Prep at birth if you're interested in them attending there.

[SanityClause]

Why don't you research girls schools. Gabbitas can provide information, and you can check the individual schools' websites and find out if you need to register at birth.

[Greythorne]

Xaj

Indo believe you, but it's strange that on their website they say you can out your son's name down anytime until the Dec before the Sept of admission, then boys are invited to test. Then thebones who pass are offered a place.

What's the advantage of registering at birth if theybhave to pass a test anyway?

[clb]

Pembridge Hall.

[prh47bridge]

Admission to Wetherby Prep is entirely by assessment. According to their published information there is no advantage to registering at birth. This sounds like another myth, just like the parents who believe they need to put their child's name down for a good state school at birth.

It does look like you need to register at birth for Pembridge Hall, however, although the information on their website is very poor.

[Happymum22]

I think mostly it is just some of the very popular and prestigious london preps so the ones mentioned above, maybe Garden House as well?
E-mail the schools if you are unsure having read their website. London Prep School guide website is good as well.

Not sure about outside London.

[Greythorne]

But surely, the top schools are all academically selective? So putting your DC's name down at birth won't matter one jot if they fail to reach the requisite academic level?

[Greythorne]

And schools who take anyone, just on having their name on a list from birth probably exist but are probably dodgy, IMHO.

[Greythorne]

Yes, Pembridge Hall is not selective, so that makes sense.

[Mominatrix]

Xaj - I think you mean Wetherby PRE-prep, which is very different to Wetherby Prep.

[prh47bridge]

That clears up the confusion! Yes, you definitely need to put your child's name down for Wetherby Pre-Prep at birth.

[sanam2010]

Only Pembridge hall. Theydo the intake by month though so if you're daughter is born on 30th for example not much point registering as she wouldn't get a place.

There's no other girls' school where you need to put down her name at birth but there are some that close the registration list for assessment at some point, so for other popular girls' schools it would make sense to put her name down before she's 2 years old (falkner house, glendower prep) just in case.
Kensington Prep you can even wait till she's about 3.

Second happymums advice of checking out the londonpreprep.com website, it has all there details for all the schools sorted by boys'/girls'/mixed schools.

[Greythorne]

But, sanam, the Pembridge Hamm website states that they divide the month into thirds and select evenly across the thirds:

Applications are processed by calendar month, to ensure even distribution of birthdays throughout the year. The places are allocated once the month is over. The month is divided into thirds and an even number of girls is randomly selected from each third. Thereafter, names are added to an on-going waiting list.

[xaj]

Thanks for the advice all!

So far I've got:

Birth - Prembridge Hall, Garden House School
By 2 - Falkner House, Glendower Prep
By 3 - Kensington Prep

Thanks all for taking the time to help me. Will check out the links, and guides suggested.

[sanam2010]

Wow Greythorne, they must have refined it even further over the last years. A little bit fairer this way perhaps (and more registration fees for them!).

OP, at Garden House you don't need to register at birth, entry is via assessment just like Glendower, Falkner House etc...