Radlett prep or manor lodge.

[Homely1]

Any advice or opinions pls. Which is more academic and from where do children go to the best schools please?

Hi, I can't comment on Radlett prep, but my niece just left Manor Lodge (just started senior school). My SIL has mixed feeling about ML. She was happy with the academic side of the school, was as her DD progress in the school, she was not happy with the pastoral care of the school and other issues with bullying and being dealt properly.
About the academic side of the school, I know that up till Y2, my niece's schools and my DD (same age) were very similar, not very pushy with homework etc.. but the changes started in Y3. From Y3, homework starts as 30 min per day, and increases to 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours per day in Y5, plus reading, and project work. My SIL decision to go to Manor lodge was for her daughter to get prep for 11+ and for this, the school was very good. Most of their students get into good schools (Private and state selectives).
It's a vey difficult decision choosing a school for your kids. Have you visit both schools? Sometimes, the school that on paper doesn't look the right one, changes once you visit them, or the other way..
Good luck on your decission

I meant to say my DD's attended state primary.

Hi - have you made any decisions? I am also trying to decide between both....

My personal decision would be Manor Lodge. Radlett prep is privately owned by a very old fashioned eccentric owner and I felt extremely uncomfortable that there was no proper board of trustees to make them accountable. It's a serious hothouse, great for super able children who thrive in that environment but I know too many children whose confidence has been destroyed by the lack of differentiation. They also have a very formal reception class which I didn't like. Classes are large, up to 27, and they don't have TA's throughout the school. Pastoral care and SEN are not good. Exit results are great but you have to ask, at what cost? It also needs a fair bit of modernisation, I found the classrooms quite cramped but fees are low.

Manor Lodge is also extremely pushy in the higher sets but they do differentiate properly and set for maths and English. It's a registered charity with proper board of governors. I believe SEN isn't brilliant but better than RP and the facilities are less tired.

No idea where to go!

Thank you so much!

It depends what you are looking for. If your priority is as academic as possible then ML or RP are the places to go. If you want somewhere more nurturing which develops the whole child and for your child to have a really wonderful prep school experience where they're happy and unstressed and enjoy a really varied and interesting timetable whilst still getting a great, but not solely academic education then you need to look at Edgegrove or Aldenham.

I can't comment on ML but all 3 of my boys went /are at Radlett Prep and I couldn't be happier - the classes are a max of 22 certainly not 27 and I have found it very nurturing especially in the infant department. They do focus on academics but in a creative and fun way with lots of play and out door time which is wonderful when they are little. As you go through the school I found they continually supported my boys especially as one of them is not that academic and they really encouraged him and focused on the positives which boosted his confidence enormously. As they get further up the school there is a fair amount of homework but they are told to stop after a certain amount of time and its not hours !! They are focussed on school exam entry with lots of past paper practice to get them ready BUT its not the be all or end all of their time at school.
As time has passed the school has really made an effort to be more modern and my boys love the ITC lab and I love that all communication is via parent mail. Personally I find it a very caring school with a real family feel. I really feel there is a focus on developing children to have a strong moral compass, to do their best but ultimately to be happy !!

I have been so happy with RPS and my boys would definitely say the same.Good luck with your decision and I hope this helps.

Thank you.