Choosing between a local independent school and a more academic prep as a day pupil

[Dilema212]

Can anyone offer me some advice please?

Im trying to choose between two schools. Belhaven Hill prep school in Dunbar and the Compass independent school in Haddington.

Belhaven looks fantastic. Very aspirational type school, appears in the Spears index. High calibre heads. Has great facilities, kids do sport every day and when they finish go on to top public schools across the UK often with scholarships. Very small class sizes - around 10. It doesnt offer boarding in pre prep but from prep it offers fortnightly boarding. Strong alumini network.

The other is a local independent that predominantly sends kids to day schools in Edinburgh. Class sizes 20. It seems like a good school but because its a small school and only target is the local towns its harder to research. From what I can gather, its a nurturing school but without the prestige and perhaps pushes less. They do sport a few times a week using local facilities and have lots of extra circulars.

The prep school is significantly more expensive. Iv read both financial reports. Prep school has significant reserves whereas the independent is still secure but a few quiet years could be a concern. Child likely to go to edinburgh day school. With prep id need to remove child early. Maybe around 9 or 10 so they dont end up working towards exams they dont need to sit. With independent we could see it out but would still likely leave early to ensure our choice of senior school but potentially at 11.

Prep school has significantly more holidays than the independent. If dh and I take annual leave seperate we can cover all holidays of independent. With prep we are 6 weeks short. Family have said they will help but our family are not local so they would need to stay with us which makes it a bigger ask on them.

Would you go for the school that makes your life easier or the one which on paper at least will get the absolute best out of your child? Is the prep worth the extra cost?

The one thing you don’t mention is your actual child. 😄How old are they? What are they like - outgoing, gregarious, self sufficient, full of energy, cautious, unusually talented at something? What have they shown they need, and which school would meet those needs best? (To be frank you may not know until they’re about seven.) These really are the things you need to consider first - and they may change as they mature.

(I can’t comment on the particular schools you mention as I have no knowledge of them and can’t judge on the outlines you give.)

Child is 4 so will start in August/Sept i need to decide asap. She is a really happy child but cautious too. Quite a deep thinker too (as much as you can be at 4). When put in unfamiliar situations she is very shy but when she comes out of her shell, she is a well liked, funny child with boundless energy. She loves meeting and playing with friends (only child). In some ways she is quite independent and loves developing this but her shyness keeps her emotionally reliant perhaps slightly more than others her age. Wouldnt say iv identified any exceptional talents other than from an early age she appears bright. Her vocabulary and numbers/letters ability is noticeably better than peers at nursery. The main skill is want her to build is self confidence. When we have visited the schools, they all seem confident enough. Maybe the prep lightly more so. One think i forgot to mention is that the head of the independent has been in post for 30+ years. This somewhat concerns me although it brings stability.

What sort of outlines would help you judge a school?

I wouldn't see classes of 10 children as being positive, unless there are more classes in the year and movement between them. Otherwise it is a very small friendship group.

For the pre-prep its 10 per year although i think the pre prep classes spend time together at sports etc

My DC have been at a really small school before, it can be very difficult if you fall out with a couple of friends, you hardly have anyone else to become friends with. Essentially the majority have to get along all the time. It is worth considering.

Thanks. The prep doesnt offer boarding until after the pre prep and even then its not high % until the top of the school. The first three years none of the children can board.