In search of good pre prep school

[shwbhatt]

hey all we have just shifted to UK and staying in wimbledon.
Quite confused on this whole state vs private schooling. My son will start his reception sept 2016, and currently started going to dickybirds nursery
To my surprise none of the private school has vacancy except Hall and I am not too sure about state school. Need your help in fighting this never ending confusion.
Btw we are from India

[EdithWeston]

If you've missed the deadlines for applications to most pre-preps in your area, there isn't much you can do about it, I'm afraid.

Have you actually contacted the schools to ask if they can take a late registration and been turned down, or are you going by their websites?

Have you been to visit The Hall? Although it may be uncomfortable to be in a situation where you feel you have no choice, if the school is suitable and the school run OK, then just go for it. At least then you're spared the agonising over small differences between good schools (for London preps are all good really).

The deadline for applications to state schools is 15 January, so you have plenty of time to work out whether you are going to apply and sort out the order of your preferences. Are there any particular reasons why you're not too sure about state schools?

Also, remember you can change schools later. So you could start at a state school, go on the waiting lists of private schools you prefer and and move him when a place comes up. And as people are always moving in and out of London, places do come up.

[shwbhatt]

Hey , i did speak with admission office squirrel an they told that i am waitlist also i attached cover letter along with registration. Willington i am gonna speak on monday and also dunndonald (state school) i am visiting . Hall i am registering by monday. What i am confused about on am i loosing on anything?

[thenewbroom]

I don't quite follow your last post but do keep calling. Waitlists can move mysteriously if someone seems very keen in my experience.
The Hall has a reputation as non-academic/alternative. Just be aware of that as it is poles apart from Squirrels which is a full on pre-prep! You need to know what you are looking for.

[LIZS]

You could well find that the same children are registered multiple times so by Easter they will need to commit to just one and places are released to waiting list. Do apply for state schools too as the allocations will be made for them just after Easter, and again once parents make that decision there will be movement.

[SarkyMummy]

What are you concerns about the local state school? London has the best state schools in the country and in any case there is strong evidence that there is no difference in achievement between good state and good private schools at primary level.

[shwbhatt]

Thanks so much it was quite informative, we will see what pops up we arr anyways applying to both

[EdithWeston]

You'll need to check when the pre-preps near you make their offers. It's in the aftermath of that that the first movement in lists happens.

And there may be further movement after state school offers day (18 April) if people are deciding between sectors.