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Education

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Original poster

Sussex House or Dulwich prep?

12 replies

Colleger · 04/09/2011 20:18

Any info on these schools will be greatly appreciated. Would like to send DS to a strong academic school where parents do not tutor!

OP posts:

happygardening · 05/09/2011 09:29

Is there anywhere parents don't coach in some way? Have you looked at Wyndelsham? Friends son just left there and he was very happy there and one boy at my DS new school went there and parents were not in UK so maybe they didn't tutor or not much anyway. Another boy came from Papplewick don't know anything about it but could be worth looking at.

By the way did you mean Dulwich Prep in London or Sussex I might be able to find out a bit more about the former.

EdithWeston · 05/09/2011 09:48

DCPS or the junior dept of Dulwich College?

Are you sure it's between this two, or are you interested in any SW London prep? Boys only or coed?

happygardening · 06/09/2011 12:42

Sorry I meant which Dulwich prep the one in south london or Kent (not Sussex)

Original poster

Colleger · 06/09/2011 18:25

I know parents tutor to get kids in but some at some schools many parents continue to tutor all the way through and this gives inflated results.

I'm looking at DCPS and both schools tick all boxes. Unfortunately the ones you mentioned HappyGardening have Saturday school so that's a no no.

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SofaQueen · 06/09/2011 19:39

Hmmm. The two school you mentioned are in 2 very different locations, and have different cultures. Of the two, I am more familiar with Sussex House. It is not really one where tutoring is the norm, but it is quite quirky (emphasis on the arts, the sport which it is strongest in is fencing,...) and the aim of the majority of parents who send their sons there is boarding school. Fantastic results, but you really have to like the ethos of the school (I do, but I know quite a few parents who aren't so keen as they have much sportier sons).

Original poster

Colleger · 06/09/2011 20:43

I would prefer Sussex House as I have every confidence that they should get DS into the school we want him to go for - assuming he's bright enough. He is also very musical and although he loves his sport he is more of a B team player than an A!

OP posts:

meditrina · 06/09/2011 20:46

A friend if mine has a boy at Dulwich College, and though he started at 11+ many of his friends went through the Prep department and Ihave to say all have turned out well. The new headmaster there seems to be going down very well indeed.

meditrina · 06/09/2011 20:53

Sorry - should have read more carefully! I'm assuming from other posts that "the one in south London" does mean Dulwich College, and its junior department (as it's been established there for centuries!)

Dulwich has a reputation of being very sporty, but it does very well by its academic boys too (probably becoming more academic, actually). I think most boys at the Prep stay on, which must remove an enormous potential source of stress! But I've never heard of a leaver at 13+ dissatisfied with next school.

What are your preferred destination schools? Or is it too soon to be sure?

Original poster

Colleger · 06/09/2011 23:09

Even more confusion. It's Dulwich Prep London, not the prep school of the College - two different schools!

OP posts:

meditrina · 06/09/2011 23:16

Do you mean DCPS, then?

I'm probably not the best person to comment. I know two families who have left the school in the last year.

Original poster

Colleger · 07/09/2011 16:59

Saw DP today and loved it, so look forward to seeing Sussex which will be totally different.

OP posts:

SofaQueen · 08/09/2011 10:16

I just took a look at the website for DP (did not know it as it is off my radar here in West London), and think that you will be comparing apples and oranges with these two schools. After seeing DP, Sussex House might seem too urban and cramped - it is very much a city school and lacks the grounds which DP has. Would be interested in hearing what you think of it.

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