Wetherby Prep vs WCCS

[Cloudsclearing]

Any views on which to choose for 7+ entry - Wetherby Prep is very close to us so logistics are fantastic but we like the size, feel and nurturing aspect of WCCS.....

[sanam2010]

do you want to pay your fees to a private equity company or to the catholic church? that is the question... :)

[seasaltcaramel]

Wetherby Prep gets great results, has a fab Head and a linked senior school (which could provide some comfort in the scramble for secondary places in a few years??).

[Cloudsclearing]

Good point - the private equity bit doesn't sit comfortably with me

[Cloudsclearing]

seasaltcaramel agree and yet its not very nurturing and I still believe a happy boy achieves good results anywhere...just not sure if its that big a difference to justify the logistics of school run

[sanam2010]

I think add that age, character formation and emotional well-being is so important that you should go for the one that fits what your looking for better in terms of community of parents, manners and values of the children. As long as you can work out the logistics, go with the one that your gut tells you is right for your son. These schools can change children's character at that age depending on the peers they are exposed to. The profile of parents is very different at these schools, as you already know. For what it's worth, my neighbours are the absolutely loveliest family and their son just moved on from WCCS to Eton.

[MMmomKK]

We have friends wit kids at WP. Hear great things, especially about the quality of teaching and links to senior schools. Headmaster there sounds quite impressive and, apparently, really goes out of his way to get the boys into their their top choice schools.

[Cloudsclearing]

Thank you sanam2010. I agree totally just the problem of having to get my DD through 11+ at the same time of settling him into a new school so having it close by would be a bonus...hmmm...

[originalmavis]

See the school, see the kids, observe the parents. Google the schools, head and let staff/owners like mad to get a good picture if the schools.

[Cloudsclearing]

Thank you MmomKK.
Originalmavis I have done that a bit too much - spoken to heaps of people so whilst I've heard and seen lots of good stuff have now heard of bullying at WP and too strict dry teaching at WCCS. No school is 100% but my gut feeling has failed me this time....

[originalmavis]

I've heard that WP is very rigid, and I have to say that when we went for an event the boys were a bit rigid.

I've experience in a 'sausage factory' school - on the surface very good results but in reality stressed out kids and obsessive, pushy parents (and obnoxious head).

I'm guessing you are in W1 area? Chimd currently in a Prep?

[Cloudsclearing]

Originalmavis I agree although on the surface the teaching should be better given the resources they have. The classrooms and teachers impressed us but the boys less so. We are currently in a pre prep nearby.

[originalmavis]

Maybe look towards Newtons in Battersea. Bus to Victoria then its one stop on the train - 30-40 mins, or a 20 min drive door to door.

[Cloudsclearing]

Originalmavis I have heard Newtons is good but getting there is harder than WCCS. I just cant get my head round how to have two children at same drop off and pickup times in very different locations. I guess I'll juggle it somehow, just is the cost to our family life etc worth it if we have an offer from WP? Maybe there's no way of knowing until I try it out.

[originalmavis]

Try a commute. I thought 'no way!' but its actually fine and quicker than you think a good thing us that you are going against traffic too. Lovely school, really nice kids, good mix, great head. Good results too.