8+ London

[peninsulamum]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can help me select London prep schools to apply for for 8+ exams in January? We have twin sons and are considering Wetherby Prep, Sussex House, Garden House, Hill House (a lot of "houses"...) and the Harrodian. The boys differ in their abilities which makes it a bit tricky, we tried for 7+ last year and one got into Latymer and Highgate and the other didn't get in to either. We don't want to split them up, not least because we currently live in Dubai and will only make the move back if we get them both into a school that's worth making the move back for. Another problem, logistically, is that I don't want to take them out of school for too long in January and, e.g. the Harrodian exam is 9th January and Sussex House is 19th/20th, which is probably too long to be away for (in which case we'll probably go for the Harrodian as there's more chance of getting them both in, I think). I've not viewed Sussex House and Garden House and only my husband's viewed Wetherby, I'll probably be able to see Garden House shortly but not the other two so will have to decide based on the literature. So...if anyone has experience of them and can offer an insight I'd be grateful! The boys like a mixture of sport, music and art but have got quite into music of late so I'm keen on a musical school. Oh, and one of them has Perthes disease so isn't very mobile although he's having surgery soon so hopefully he'll be walking again by next September...!

OP - are you sure you want to apply to schools that only go to 11+? (Garden House).

In my opinion, it makes sense to do 7-8+ while moving countries if they get into a great school attached to a senior school, so your kids don't need to do another exam at 11/13. In your list only Harrodian and Whetheby would give you that opportunity.

I don't know enough about Sussex House, but Hill House had a lot of bad publicity last year. And while I know people who are happy there, I also know several families that pulled their children from it.

If you are set in looking for schools that go to 13, then you can also consider Eaton House the Manor.

Finally, I understand your desire to keep your kids at the same school, and at 7,8 yo it probably makes sense. But it does appear that your kids are different and the school that is perfect for the less academic one might not work well for his brother. ( Harrodian, for example, is a great school for a sporty, not too academic kid. But not best for a bookish academic type...)

Your other option is to wait and do 11-13+ when either you'll be more ready to let them go to different schools, or, maybe, one of them would catch up with the other.

Thank you MMmomKK, yes you're right about the 11+ issue with Garden House, I'm not so keen on it, especially after prepping them last year and now this year for 7/8+, they could do with a good few years break to just get on with life without having to prep for any more exams. I've spoken to some schools consultants about the Hill House debacle and their view seemed to be that the report was largely due to the school not bending over backwards for the inspectors but I should go back and read the report again as I think it addressed teaching as well as simply administrative issues, which is more worrying.

Thanks for the suggestion of Eaton House the Manor, I've heard good things about it and I think they have a sister school so I'll look into it (we also have a two year old daughter who currently isn't getting much of a look in on the schools front, we figured we'll try and sort the boys out first and then look for schools in the same area for her...although we're probably too late for reception entry for the popular schools...oh, it's all so ridiculous, almost makes you want to home school them...well, no not really, I couldn't cope but, well, almost!).

It is not easy, isn't it!

You are not too late for your daughter. Most girls schools do an assessment in the year before Reception, so you can still get on the assessment lists.

It just occurred to me that your list of schools focuses on SW / W London. There are a lot of great schools in the North London - Highgate, etc.

Also - a little further South - have you thought about Alleyn's and Dulwich College?

Thanks, I did look into Dulwich College but it's assessment day is the same as the Harrodian. I didn't consider Alleyn's, I guess because I've not heard much about it before. I'll have a look at it, although we could do with being within a reasonable distance of Heathrow as my husband will be travelling a lot and it seems to be via Heathrow not Gatwick. A friend has suggested Devonshire House in Hampstead, I don't suppose you know anything about it? I gather it tends to get scorned on mumsnet but it sounds okay to me, albeit not one of the heavy-hitters. We went for Highgate last year and that was one of the ones that only one twin got into. That was at 7+ and they don't have an 8+ entry point so that's out, for now at least. As you say, when the boys are older perhaps it will feel acceptable to send them to different schools but we're not there yet.

Thanks for your help, it's good to have an independent ear (especially as my husband is sick to death of me talking about it!).

Concerning clash dates for entrance exams, most schools have alternate dates, at least for 11+, it would be worth asking them, particularly if you come from abroad just to do the tests.

Gosh. That's a tricky one. I realise this is the last thing you want to add to your list of things to think about but what do you want for them for big school? Boarding or London? This will greatly influence your decision

No point what so ever in doing garden house. (If a consultant suggested it, sack them) It has only recently extended its boys school up to 11 and was traditionally a school one left at 8+ - it would be madness to move back for a school that can't go to at least 13+

If you want the option of boarding or for your more academic boy (if that is how things continue to pan out) to go to westminster or St Paul's at year 9, you need one that goes to 13. However if you think your other boy is likely not to be so academic and you don't want to board, then you want him to be prepared for 11+ entrance. Also perhaps somewhere that would allow them to stay right through but have the option to change if they develop academically could make sense.

However , don't read too much into the difference in 7+ performance as it is a tough hurdle for little boys and a small difference in maturity can easily make the pass fail difference. Getting in to Latymer and Highgate puts that boy definitely in the frame for Sussex house or indeed westminster under/Colet If the other twin is close academically perhaps you should consider westminster or Colet as it can take them right through and are very good for music. Sussex house is the other v musical school in your list but it will only prepare for 13+

Wetherby gives you the most flexibility. It caters for 11 and 13+ and is increasingly solid academically (a third of the year leaves at 8+ for westminster and Colet but as its star has been rising the academic quality of those staying and joining at 8+ has too and it now has its senior school which whilst as yet an unproven quantity comes from such a strong operation that confidence must be high. Also it has in my view one of the best headmasters in town. This option is probably the one that covers the most possible outcomes. Downsides - they don't have their own outside space but they are still very sporty and hearty. Music not quite so central but they offer loads of clubs and activities so I am sure the so have the usual choirs and orchestras.

Harrodian whilst offering you the chance to go through I am a bit less convinced by as I doubt it will offer the academics at least one of your boys want. You would have to find out what success they have (indeed interest they have) at preparing them to leave at 11 or 13 plus for other more stretching schools. Lots of grounds and sport though. Plus a good spot to live for ease of access to Heathrow. (In fact from that point of view you plan to live in the west, so Colet , Latymer and harrodian would give you three different levels to aim at and there wouldn't be logistical problems in going to different schools if you were willing to split them as they are all pretty close

I don't think hill house is worth moving for. There certainly won't be problems getting in - its chief selling point is its size and ability to deal with london's ever mobile families but it is pretty sclerotic and whilst some people could say their recent problems are "just admin" they have had it coming for a long time. Their facilities also push the ever-cramped Central London space problems a bit too far

Last thing your probably need now is more names but you should also look at Thomas's Battersea Not a huge 8+ intake but they do take some and it is still well positioned for the heathrow corridor , preps for 11 and 13 and is coed.

But, given the buildings most London schools are in you need to talk to them individually about mobility ahead of time

Note that cut off dates to register for 8+ schools are about now

Sorry a bit rambling

Hi, thanks so much for your message Michaelahpurple. We're a bit further along with the decision-making but you've made me wonder about a couple of points. The plan currently is to go to London for the Harrodian and Wetherby assessments in early January (Westminster clashes with the Harrodian and I was under the impression the schools don't make exceptions for pupils trying for multiple schools, though I should actually check that asap). Thanks for your input on Wetherby, my husband toured it and liked it and, as you say, its reputation seems to be on the up. I'm hoping that going for that and the Harrodian gives us a balance between a more academic school but one that they might not both get into and one where they've both got a reasonable chance of getting in (I think) and that I think they'd be happy in, even if it's not exactly stellar academically.

If they don't get offers from either of those, we'll come back in February and try for Eaton Square and Devonshire House (Hampstead). I managed to tour them last week and they seemed solid, happy schools which would prep the boys for senior schools that would suit them. We favour day school in principle for senior school, although I suppose if one or both of the boys wanted to board we'd consider it (I don't know though...I spend half my life complaining about them but I'm not sure I'll be ready to let them leave me in five years time!).

If you happen to know anything about Eaton Square or Devonshire House, I'd be grateful for any advice - as I say, they seemed decent but I'm a bit out of the loop in terms of local reputations. They may actually be better than, e.g. the Harrodian as they are at least prepping for senior school and therefore might help one or both into a more challenging senior school whereas the Harrodian presumably won't help a child move on at 13+. On the other hand, I'm seeing the preparation for entrance exams already erode their enthusiasm for learning, it would be good to get into a school that goes through to 18 and get them back to simply enjoying school.

Finally (sorry, this has been long!), just wondering why you think the less academic boy would be better being prepped for 11+ rather than 13+? Is it to do with the type of schools that take entrants at 13+ versus 11+? We're still registered for Colet Court's assessment for 8+ (it rolled over from last year's attempt), I might withdraw though nearer the time as I'm not sure there's much point going through with it and it would mean taking them out of school for longer. Likewise Sussex House, the timing of their assessment day would mean they'd miss nearly three weeks of school and, given it's another tough one, I think I'll have to let it go. Thanks for the info on Thomas's, Battersea, I've just had a look on their website and I'll consider it further, my husband might be able to visit when he's next in London.

Thanks for listening!

Newton Prep in Battersea is the other obvious one. Again co-ed so preps for both 11 and 13+. Has a reputation for producing happy children and a bit less of a hot house than some of the others on your list, but still gets pupils into the more academic schools.

If you are interested in a school that goes right through to 18, then I'd say you really do need to make every effort to try for Dulwich.

Is there really no fallback date for either of the schools which clash?

Have you tried asking Dulwich if the exam can be taken overseas? (As they have boarders, they might have a procedure for this).