best prep schools in East midlands

[ChiMex]

Hi all, I would really appreciate your advice. We are thinking of moving from Surrey to East midlands for a better quality of life and are looking for help with choosing the best prep schools (bearing in mind private secondary/grammar school too). We have a 6yo and a 3yo. We like Mickleover/littleover in Derby but since we are open to any areas in East midlands, here is my question: Which area would you say has the best prep and private secondary/grammar school?

We don't want to move to Derby and then realise we have to move to say Nottingham for a better private secondary school. We just want to make the move once and know that we'll be happy with both primary and secondary school options. Thank you in advance :-)

Leicester. Specifically Oadby.

If thinking about boarding prep, St Anselms in Bakewell usually gets good press.

Thank you Ravingroo, I have had a look and will add that to my list of places. Hi Orlanda, thanks but we are not looking for boarding.

Loughborough Endowed Schools are consistently highly rated. Fairfield is the prep, Loughborough High for girls 11+ And Loughborough Grammar boys 11+

Foremarke Hall & Repton. Large number of boarders at Repton in particular, but there are day pupils too. St Anselms also very good.
The Peak District is wonderful, so that would be a big plus for St Anselms! Some wonderful villages around Bakewell in the Peaks (would avoid Bakewell itself), and very close to both Sheffield and Chesterfield for amenities!
Or elsewhere in the Peaks you can be close to Manchester, or Derby, or Leek.
I miss it loads, one of the nicest places I've ever lived, and would go back in a heartbeat if circumstances allowed.
Great walks straight from your doorstep, being able to stop at farms on your commute for fresh meat and cheap veg, quiet nights, brilliant pubs and restaurants, loads of stars and beautiful views. Brilliant small local doctors and dentist with a dispensary and lovely, friendly staff everywhere you go, always got seen same day.
Loads of places hiring, plenty of Saturday jobs for teens when the children get older.
Lots of small businesses and nice independent shops, a few touristy places.
Really would recommend it!

Tendergreen, you’re describing my home...I want to cry as I no longer live there..

I agree F and R..

Have PM'd you

You don't say if your DC are boys or girls?

If you have a girl, look into the Nottingham Girls High School. I have two daughters in the junior school and they absolutely love it. Would thoroughly recommend it.

I lived in London for +10 years and moved to Nottingham a couple of years ago. It has been such a good move for our family, certainly better quality of life, so down to earth, and the people are v friendly. And did I mention how much we LOVE the school!!

Rutland, Stamford, and Oakham are lovely too.

Good luck with your decision

Thank you tendergreen :-) I have to add this to our list. My dh is still hoping to commute to london for work. I don't know how realistic this is but it means he is looking for areas that 3day/week commutable ;-/

Hi Neshobe, thanks for your response. We hope to sound like you a few years from now. Sorry I should have said, I have two boys and the 6 year old is very sporty. He is showing some real enthusiasm and we just want a prep where he can explore a range of sporting possiblities. I'll take another look at Nottingham High. Thank you

Not sure whether it has a linked prep, but have you looked at Trent College, Long Eaton? That's roughly between Derby and Nottingham and has a strong reputation for sport. Lots of nice villages a bit further out. Good motorway links on that side. Train from East Midland Parkway station to London can be as little as 1hr 24 mins. If HS2 does get built, journey time from the new station at Toton is predicted at 52 mins. Probably a long wait for that though

Perfectly possible to commute Sheffield/Chesterfield/Derby/Nottingham 3 days per week, have lots of colleagues who do.

Littleover has Derby High School, Derby Grammar School and Repton School is a short drive away. All 3 excellent schools.

Oundle, nr Peterborough. Has an excellent prep school and then the senior school (with day places) is 13-18. Commute from Peterborough to London is only 50mins. Lovely village with friendly community and lots going on.

Another vote for Nottingham High school. Also hear great things about Loughborough Grammar.

Hi All,

Thank you Mini, I've had a look at Trent College and it will be one of the ones we visit. We like the sound of Fairfield in Loughborough and Nottingham high too - thanks Mycat.

Hi Gin, I have a friend that used to teach at Oundle, it's such a lovely school. We haven't yet considered Peterborough way and are focused on loughborough, leicester, derby, Nottingham for now but now that you've reminded me....there's really no reason for us not to consider that way!

Thanks Orlanda, DH doesn't seem bothered with the commute, he is convinced it is doable and you're right there are a few people who do it and are happy with it.

Hi Kelz, yes this was our first and only choice until we started searching lol. It all started with, move to Derby live in Mickleover, Littleover and go to Derby Grammar haha. We are now looking around more without ruling out Mickleover where my first son was born :-)

Also look at the Stamford schools and Oakham. Both lovely towns.

Lots of recommendations for S. Anselms on MN if you search.

Vague on my geography of that area but good friends who live in Burton have kids at Denstone College and very happy with it.

I have to say S.Anselm’s is fabulous my DS and DD started there in September as day students - we haven’t looked back since.

Half of my child's class have parents commenting to London from Oundle.

Would you know which prep schools near Derby/Notthingham offer German in Year 3?

There is Ranby and Worksop which takes you right through. Prep schools Highfield and Burton Hathow lead to some of the senior schools.

I’ve friends with children at Repton and Stamford who are happy.

Lots of Grammar school across Lincolnshire.