Feedback on Willingtons Prep Wimbledon

[Oscarlucinda]

Hi, I'm hoping to get some recent feedback on Willingtons Prep in Wimbledon. I have traveled through older posts and have the read the feedback but hoping for some recent views. I understand that they have a new head.

Logistically, it works better for us than the traditional King feeders up the hill. Also, whilst my boy is bright, I'm not convinced the pressure of Squirrels or a hot house environment would suit him. I think a more informal environment would get the best out of him.

We do have the option of Donhead which I hear is lovely - we have many friends with boys there - but the Willingtons logistics would work better for us. I know that the space and facilities are smaller but we're OK with that. I'd be interested to hear about pastoral care, quality of teaching and whether boys generally leave at 7+ and 11+. I know they go to 13 so don't specifically prep for 7+ or 11+ but would welcome views on how academic the school is. We know it isn't selective at Reception level. Given the cost of school fees, would like to know we are getting value back!

We already have an appointment to visit after Christmas and will go with our gut. However, honest feedback - pros and cons - from existing parents would be most helpful and appreciated. Thanks so much!!!!

It's a great school!

We turned down our Squirrels place and don't regret it. The boys get to be children without all the pressure, but make enormous progress thanks to low ratios and great teaching. Have a look at the leavers destinations on the website which are impressive.

DS has been encouraged to get involved with lots of music, drama and art projects. The approach to sport is very inclusive.

Couldn't be happier really. The facilities are a bit small but they make good use of their sports fields at Drax Avenue.

Thanks so much Choconthetop! This is really encouraging to hear. Do you know whether there's a lot of attiriton at 7+ and 11+?

I don't think many boys leave at 7+. In any case that's also a busy entry point for the school as boys from the pre-preps will apply for places at Willington.

I'm not entirely sure about higher up the school, someone will correct me if I'm wrong but apparently you can sit a pre test at 11 for common entrance at 13, so boys sit either that or the 11+ depending on whether they want to stay on for the final two years.

The good points are good resources, good sport coaching, not too much homework, some good school destinations in recent years, very good in the younger years and the work to the school buildings has made it much nicer.

The bad points are very low numbers, loads leaving at 11, quite a few unhappy parents in the upper years (I have one son in the upper years and one in the lower), it feels like the school has gone into a decline but possibly about the recover, cliques amongst parents and some exclusion and bullying of boys who aren’t popular.

It has been good for my older boy but I am considering moving my younger one.

4CallingBirds thanks for the candid feedback.

Do you know the reason for unhappy parents in the upper years? Why do you think it's gone into a decline?

Your comment about cliques does worry me. In our current school, I've been lucky that the parents are generally all-inclusive and super friendly and there's a strong sense of community. I was hoping that Willingtons would be similar being a smaller school. If you don't mind me asking, what are your specific reasons for considering moving your youngest? Feel free to direct message me if you'd prefer not to post in this chat.

I feel pressure to make the right choice because it is a lot of money and I will also be moving my child from where he is now. So wouldn't want to move him, then consider moving him again. If logistics wasn't an issue, we'd prefer Donhead so am really hoping Willingtons is a good choice for us.

Thanks both so much.

I would love to hear about older years if possible (as much as can be discussed without any identifying details). The school does have good reputation for early years,but how is the quality of teaching further along? Do those boys who leave at 11 need external tutoring and how conmon it is to have one? Would school advise at 11+ options? Did having the new headmaster's affect the school? Sorry for so many questions, Ihope the answers might be useful to op too.

Hi User240286, everyone I know whose child sat the 11+ had additional help from tutors whether they were at private or state primary. Seems fairly usual? Sorry can't help with the other questions!

Hi:) I know quite a few successful ones who just needed help with getting used to exam format, timings, pacing themselves, so more of the exam practice help rather than additional knowledge, because they have covered the material at school so managed just with parents' help. Unfortunately none of those went to Willington, and the school is not very open about what happens at 11. I still can't form an opinion about later years and as you said before, it is a lot of money so some insider info would be very useful.

Hi OscarLucinda, we were in a similar situation to you a few years ago and turned down a squirrels place for willington. Our experience of Willington has been fantastic. The teaching is outstanding with my son really stretched academically, the small classes really help with this. As others have noted, the sport is excellent and the off site playing fields really don’t matter in my opinion. The music, which is more my son’s thing, is also very very good, with again teachers going out of their way to encourage. I have not come across parent cliques, in fact I would say the opposite that the parents have been unifomally welcoming and friendly in my sons year. From my experience, parent cliques probably happen in all schools, and you either have a lucky year or not. Finally just to say that in terms of logistics and help with logistics, you really can’t fault willington. They run a breakfast club and a late club post pick up to help working or other parents at either extremely low cost or free. I have made use of this a few times for early meetings or when there was an unexpected delay on the tube. I don’t know of other local schools who have similar provision. I really would have no hesitation in recommending willington if you are looking for a boys prep school in wimbledon. I am afraid I cannot comment specifically on the upper school though as I have only lower school experience.

We left at 11 plus this year. Not everyone uses a tutor for eleven plus,we didn’t and son got 3 scholarship offers including one from kings. I would never rely on a school to direct you re schools. Willington is a fantastic school but absolutely no help with future schools.
Many people tutor for 11 plus at Willington mainly because they are aspiring to unrealistic schools or because they are insecure because everyone else is tutoring.
Willington serves boys very well and has a fantastic family feel and involvement, however it goes to 13 plus and therefore would not help you overly to leave at 11. That said most 11 plus entrance to private secondary schools are the same or similar to the pretests which Willington practise with the boys in year 5 and 6.

Hope that helpf

Also I do not know of any bullying or parent cliques. Our class bonded very well as boys and parents and many will be friends for life

Wobbles, this is fantastically helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights. I'm really looking forward to visiting the school and meeting the Head!

Also, congratulations Wobbles21 on your son's achievements. Super impressive and you must be very proud!

As a current Willington parent as well as having a son who has gone through the school and left at 13 I can say that the school is moving with the times in terms of preparation for 11+. The school is a 13+ school - therefore historically the Common Entrance was the exam that the school prepared the boys for - and boys generally did very well and got places in the most competitive schools. It does not sell itself as a 11+ school, hence the historic lack of support from the school to place boys at this stage. However intake in local private secondary schools is changing - some have moved from a 13+ to11+ intake, and Willington has definitely taken this on board, boys are well prepared for both 11+ and 13+ examinations now. I would also say that leaving at 13+ was the best decision for our son, although there are a lot of parents who are vocal about leaving at 11+ and scaremonger I feel. Good luck with your decision!

Hi, I would like to share some feedback about Willington prep school. I know this is an old post but still, I’m sure there will be a lot of people who will Google for a review and feedback about the school to make a decision for their children. My son started in Willington prep in year three in 2024.. as far as the academic staff goes, the school is a hit and a miss. The sports and music is good and try their best. The sports facility in drax far cry from great. The music teacher puts her heart and soul into teaching. But what makes the situation extremely complicated is the management of the school. The school is extremely friendly when you first walk-in and they’re seeking admission just like good sales people, however, when you decide to pull out from the school is when things get complicated. We gave the school an advance notice about our move just a week after the school reopened as my husband’s contract in England was about to end and what followed was an extremely stressful term with the school as they went back-and-forth on paying a full spring term fee to the school. We were appalled in the way the school handled the matter, whether on email or verbal communication and all of it was a huge let down. There was zero empathy, no conversation and complete lack of any understanding - almost see through you, even when you drop kids in the morning to school, and that felt extremely hurtful from the school. You cannot post Google reviews about the school as they have disabled it. But we were left exhasperated by the school. In an environment, when we are teaching our children all about empathy and effective communication - when with adults the school fails to communicate and handle this fragile family situation - which can happen to anyone… we were finally happy that we pulled our son out from the school. It’s a business place and not a school… you should get into it, knowing that fact!