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Original poster

Best independent/preparatory primary school in Illford

22 replies

SWITCHB · 23/07/2019 13:49

We will be relocating to Illford soon.Can anyone guide me as to which is academically the strongest independent/preparatory school in Illford.My DS will be starting Year 3 from September and we do want him to get into a Grammer school.I do not know anything about Illford.Help plz

OP posts:
KipperCuddlingGrimbots · 23/07/2019 13:51

Ilford is a big place. Whereabouts are you going to be living?

Mosaic123 · 27/07/2019 02:14

Bancrofts, Forest and Chigwell schools are all excellent. Not quite in Ilford proper though.

Battenburg11 · 28/07/2019 08:46

If you’re aiming for grammar then it might be worth bearing in mind that none of Bancrofts, Forest or Chigwell prepare their pupils for them as they are a through school to 18 years.

I’m not familiar with the schools in Ilford but I think Snaresbrook prep and Woodford Green prep are good academically. Most parents still pay extra for private tutoring on top of school fees. Masterbrain in seven kings prepare their pupils well for grammar school entry. Hope that helps.

Original poster
SWITCHB · 31/07/2019 12:21

We can shift in any area with a good prep school near by

OP posts:
OVienna · 31/07/2019 21:16

I'm from this area. My children attend schools mentioned here. All of the schools are highly oversubscribed and you are not at the right entry point for them at this stage. Next chance is 11+ for Forest Chigwell and Bancroft's. Woodford Prep will have just fine a 7+ which is the entry for Year 3. Try Avon House (Also in Woodford), St Aubyns (unlikely to have places though£ and Eastcote which I think is in Ilford. What is your catchment primary? You'll need a tutor - there are lots and lots locally serving the grammar school market. You probably don't need to go private.

ShabbaDo · 01/08/2019 11:40

What about Braeside, Oaklands or Daiglen? They're in Buckhurst Hill (so not Ilford exactly) but all excellent schools.

ShabbaDo · 01/08/2019 11:41

Loyola Prep School is also fab.

OVienna · 01/08/2019 12:44

Oaklands might have places. They are more feeder schools for the privates though. I really think a good state school but a tutor specialising in the grammar option is the way forward. Unless you think you might change your mind about secondary.

Braeside is a girls school and Loyola is Catholic, which I am not sure would make a difference to you or not. It is also small.

ShabbaDo · 01/08/2019 14:21

@OVienna Ah, I missed the sex in the OP.
Loyola, though catholic, would still take on other faiths.

Original poster
SWITCHB · 06/08/2019 17:59

Thanx everyone.After a lot of Research,we have short listed 2 school:Woodford Prep and Avon House prep school.But now totally confused between the two.Would really appreciate if you anyone can help us in choosing.........I do want it to be more academic and that my son gets into a grammer school at 11+

OP posts:
OVienna · 06/08/2019 18:39

@SWITCHB

Did you read my posts? Do you have a place at Woodford Prep allocated for Year 3 in September 2019 at this time? Both of my children attended this school and places after Year 2 are allocated following a 7+ exam in the Jan or Feb prior to entry to Year 3. If your child has not been through this process, it's not clear to me how you would be offered a place for this September. The school is very oversubscribed.

Do you mean he is going into Year 3 in September 2020? In which case, get signed up for the exam now.

My understanding is that Avon House sometimes has spaces but there is no point debating either option, three weeks before the school term is starting, unless you know if there are any free.

I am guessing you must mean September 2020.

Original poster
SWITCHB · 06/08/2019 19:05

OVienna thankyou for replying and you are right about his school starting.I did read your last post and will get private tuitions for him as well but as for now we are really struggling as to which school to choose out of these?

OP posts:
Racheyg · 06/08/2019 19:14

Op, any reason why you haven't considered a good state primary the borough of Redbridge have some excellent schools and very academic, and as previous posters have mention with a extra tutor.

My ds's go to a state primary school which is academic and lot if the kids also do tuition in preparation for grammar school.

OVienna · 07/08/2019 07:46

@Switchy post wasn't only about tutoring. It was the availability of places at the

OVienna · 07/08/2019 07:50

@SWITCHB sorry the availability of places at these schools for this September. Do you have places at both schools already?

OVienna · 07/08/2019 07:55

If it's for Sept 2020 get sone tutoring for the 7+ and try for Woodford Prep. Avon House thins out in the upper years as many try for the 7+ at the all through private schools in order to avoid 11+ is my understanding. You will find more overall opportunities at WGPS.

Original poster
SWITCHB · 07/08/2019 08:58

Thankyou Ovienna.We do have a place in that year in both schools but dont want to burden my DS with 2 tests.So wanted an advice on it from you.I went through their website and it seems WGPS is better as well but the Avon extended teaching programme where they say that they cater to the needs of children who need extra support in any area of study was quite impressive,so got confused all over

OP posts:
OVienna · 07/08/2019 09:30

I am completely confused as to how you have places at the schools but know so little about them knowing what I do about the path to entry but in the OP you were asking which schools to target in the area.

In any case, my experience of WGPS is that they provide additional support to children who need it to ensure they excel academically to the best of their ability. Their ability to do this has expanded dramatically in the 10 years we have been at the school. However, if your child has more complex needs going as far as a statement I'd look at Avon House more closely. Many children with suspected dyslexia get tested there. I don't know a lot about the individual provision.

HTH

ain80 · 27/06/2020 09:59

Avon house school is good but head teacher is not cooperative.

EmpressoftheMundane · 02/07/2020 23:34

I’d call Loyola (catholic but open to all and very academic) Snaresbrook prep, Woodford prep, Daiglin, and St Aubyns. I wouldn’t target Bancrofts, Chigwell or Forest. All good schools, but they expect their pupils to simply go on to their secondaries and don’t prepare them as keenly as the prep schools do. I wouldn’t target Avon house. It has a speciality for helping children who need extra support. It sounds like your son is not falling behind, if you aspire for him to get into grammar school.
Yes, the selection for year three happened last year, but these are strange times and places open up. Loyalty would be my first choice if you have high academic aspirations.

Gemma2019 · 11/11/2020 21:52

They are happy at the school but only moved there because St Joseph's closed down and they couldn't get into Churchfields.

The wraparound care is good and they are very good at helping children with dyslexia but the school isn't anything spectacular.

Gemma2019 · 11/11/2020 21:54

Sorry this was meant to be on another thread!!

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