City of London School for Girls (prep)

[charlie1681]

Hi we have been offered a 7+ place at CLSG prep school. Can anyone provide some insight into what it's actually like there? Is it a nurturing school? Are the current parents pleased?

Are the lack of grounds/facilities a problem?

It would really help to get some information.

Thank you in advance!

Hi - have a daughter there and happy to give you my thoughts. Feel free to PM me with questions....

Recommend you look at the elevenplusforum - if I can recall correctly, there has been chat about CLSG prep and the maths teaching. Allegedly the prep girls enter the secondary behind the girls coming from outside. It's worth a read.

That is generally the case - kids who have done the 11+ are always ahead of those who have come up via a through school. It evens up in year seven.

My friend says that about haberdershers for girls too - her daughter there since 4 and kids who came in at 7+ were typically ahead

As I said, that is the case everywhere at 7 and 11. It evens out within the year as fun e tutored kids enjoy taking their foot off the pedal for a bit!

Hi All,
Thank you very much for your comments. Much appreciated.
I too have heard that children who come from outside are at a slightly higher level. I think most teachers are aware of this and expect it to be the case.

Foxpants- thanks, I will message you now

It was insinuated that it's more than the usual case of everything evening out in Y7. The implication was that the teaching is poor in maths in the prep and some parents are resorting to tutoring. Perhaps they don't feel comfortable complaining in case it jeopardises their chances of a place in the secondary. Anyhow it's worth reading the threads.

FanDabbyFloozy - oh I see. Ok thanks, will have a read of the threads

Have read the 11 plus comments re maths and wonder if it is still the case? I spoke to a mother of current year 6 child and she said that things are much better under the new head already and a large part of the problem was that the old head had done away with homework and also there was an overall very tense atmosphere in prep. Which is now much better she said -
Would be great if a few other people could confirm or deny this ?!? We too have a place at prep for sept 18 and was /
Am worried about this maths issue. I feel a bit better but could use some more colour on goings on and views on prep.
Thanks!

My daughter has been given a place too at city. Have any of you accepted yet? Is there a reason to worry that they will withdraw offers? They are difficult to get hold of. No one comes on the phone.

We were assured by our school that the offer was good until the deadline in Feb (unlike in previous years). Yes, the new admissions person seems to be a
Bit of a shambles at the moment.
I think they are aware of the issue but I don't know what they are doing about it.
It is a new prep head and new admissions person, first admissions cycle for both so a bit more chaotic. It was not like this in the past I was told so hopefully just teething issues.

My DD is in the senior school. They stream for maths from y8. I just asked her and she did a quick calculation and worked out that in her year the proportion of prep girls in the top set is about the same as the proportion of prep girls in the year.

That is helpful! Thank you

Prep school expansion plans afoot....

www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/22/top-london-school-plans-new-wing-in-underground-car-park

I find these plans a little disturbing. Aside from the environment it intends to provide, what about all the building work needed to provide it? Questions for offer holders morning tomorrow!

Hi, wondering if you accepted the place at City Prep? We have a daughter starting in Sept.

The CLSG prep school expansion plans are worrying. All classrooms will be under the playing field with no natural light. Outside play areas seem to be next to delivery route for trucks and construction vehicles. Can CLSG advise as if this goes ahead we don't think it suitable for 5-11 year olds. Has anyone else seen the plans?

I am a teacher at City prep and I think that most of the girls there are very bright, very motivated and competitive but at the same time kind, compassionate and very happy! I LOVE being inspired by THEIR enthusiasm for anything and everything!
The new Head is absolutely lovely and the atmosphere has definitely changed under her leadership.
Don’t worry about lack of facilities, it’s quite the opposite compared to other top Central London prep schools that I have seen. There is a massive grass/sports area and tennis courts right behind the school, there is a big gym, swimming pool and all of the senior school’s facilities that the girls get to use a lot, like the library, the main hall for drama performances, computer rooms, art studios, music rooms etc and don’t forget the Barbican, the museum of London, the Guildhall etc are all nearby and used very often for enrichment!

Hi Charlie1681,
How did you find the school in the end? My daughter has been offered a place at City for year 3 Sept 2019 and I am having the same concerns as you. Was your offer valid till Feb deadline? That's one thing that really concerns us. And it is really hard to get a reply from them in email/ phone. (tried both). Daughter is in the second round for South Hampstead and NLCS too. This bad communication is putting us away. We are worried if its going to be like this in future too.