Holy Cross , Surbiton High Prep or Study prep

[EliM789]

Dear mums , I really struggle to make choice in a short period of time..We are deciding between these 3 schools and I seem to be puzzled by the choice. All 3 schools seem good to me but all with their deficiencies.
My kid is very energetic and loves sports but also is good academically and if she is pushed and pushed in a structured way I believe and see that she can achieve much more. She is only 6 ( year 2 ).

I read all communications, reports and similar things on the net and visited schools multiple times but none of them gave me impression where she will be challenged academically and in other areas.

I also don't want her to be "forgotten" and want a school that sees a talent and which talent she has. All kids do have a talent , they just need to be pushed in a right direction.
Any help or experience would be so highly appreciated.
Thank you all so much in advance.

Warmest
Eliza

Surbiton High goes up to 18 so you could avoid the ghastly 11+ if you choose it. Other than that I would choose the school closest to where you live. This will avoid difficult journeys during rush hour.

Dear Jeanne, thank you.
Did your girls go to any of these ? or maybe daughters of friends ?

I had friends with DDs at all of these. Overall I think they were positive. I don’t know a great deal more than this.

@EliM789 You need to decide whether you want your dd to go to SHS Seniors. SHS won't prepare her for other schools only their own exam, currently it's automatic entry but this may change. Holy Cross and The Study will prepare your child from Year 5 with meetings to discuss secondary school options, mock exams, NVR and VR lessons, interview practice etc etc. They will steer you towards the schools they think your dd should sit for. All 3 are great options but it depends what you want for your dd.

Dear Gingercat,
Dear Jeanne,
Thank you.
This is also my dilemma whether she should or not be stressed at 11+.
Thank you again for your time and replies.
Regards,
Eli

The 11 plus is almost more of an ordeal for the parent than the dd, see the threads on Secondary education pages. It starts at end of year 4 with secondary school open days and ends in February of year 6 when the results are finalised and for that period of time it can be a big focus. Holy cross and The Study know what they are doing and won't make an issue of this for your dd but it is part of the whole "Prep school experience". I'm not a SHS junior school parent but i know that in all these linked schools you are on your own in terms of tutoring for non senior link school exams with NVR/VR, interviews, content for Tiffin exam. You then have to ask the Prep to write your references and finally explain to your dd why she isn't moving to senior school with her friends.
Make your decision on what your want for your dd at 11.

They are all good schools, but very different. You need to decide what you are looking for in a school.

My impressions (having visited them all and talked to people with girls at each) were:

1. Surbiton High :

All-through removes the 11+ angst. However, both the others send lots of girls to SHS for senior school, so that would probably be one of your default/fallback options anyway.

It's a really, really big school. Academically fine but not all that selective. Sports, music etc all as you would expect. Seems to be a big emphasis on Art. It's a town-centre school, so not a lot of green space but very convenient (and good buses for the girls).

1. Holy Cross:

Absolutely beautiful, idyllic environment. Good academics, but very pastoral. There's a very strong Catholic emphasis though, so it depends whether you are comfortable with that. They are quite open to families of different faiths, but I'm not sure an atheist family would feel comfortable with how deeply religion runs through the school.

1. The Study:

Lovely, but very traditional prep school (Very posh). Very strong academics : gets girls into great senior schools. Quite small. Half-day Fridays might be difficult for working parents (I got the impression most mums were SAH - but this might be completely wrong).

Have you considered other local options?

If you want strong academics, Wimbledon High School or Putney High School? They are quite high pressure though.

Another local option is the Hall School. It's a marmite school: reputation for behaviour not being as good, but some people love it's relaxed attitude (no technology, a retreat in Wales where the children go for weekends away). It's co-ed.

A bit further afield is Rowan Prep School in Claygate, which is fantastic. Very strong academics (great destinations) and strong sports, all in a lovely environment. It's a brilliantly run school which nurtures and challenges the girls all at the same time.

There are so many fantastic options in the area. Hope you are able to find a good fit for your daughter.

@nordicwannabe you've explained it really well.

We had a choice of Holy Cross, The Study and Putney High for reception & we've chosen Putney High for exactly the reasons you've mentioned.

As another poster said deciding what you want at senior is key to making this decision.

Dear all,
thank you so much for all your comments, so incredibly helpful.
Many many thanks !

@EliM789 what did you decide?

@JuliaAndJulia
We decided in the end to wait and review all the other schools suggested. We managed to obtain a walk in tour in other schools and will let you know what we have decided in the end.

Thank you again for all your comments.

@EliM789 , just wondering if you decided on a school?

Hi there, are there any mums out there who's kids go to Holy Cross or Ibstock Place? I am currently weighing up both. I am based in Kingston so Holy cross would be more convenient but we are not catholic. However, I know they accept other religions. Hard to compare the two!
Thanks

HiHanM80, I had many school options a year ago to my dd, Surbiton, Putney, Wimbledon and Holy Cross; we choose HC, personal I think at the first years of school children need and excellent pastoral care so I highly recommend it plus It send girls to good schools to SHS. Good luck 😉