Surbiton Girls Prep v LEH Juniors

[TWmum28]

Trying to make a decision between these two schools. Live about the same distance from both with easy public transport. Any parents at either - do you like the schools? How much homework? Do they push the able students? Is it fun and friendly? My 6 year old is outgoing and loves gymnastics and swimming. No idea how bright but as she "passed" both exams must be ok! Any insights appreciated.

OP, good luck with the LEH observation morning, LEH won't offer to all they meet this week & will put some on waiting list.

But yes at LEH the dd are challenged & everyone has passed the same exam to get there. At SHS it's less selective at Reception age & you are joining an already established year group. (There is no on-site swimming pool at SHS, swimming is off site at the Prep and not offered at Senior school).

Do I recognise you from Hampton 10plus thread? If your ds is going to Hampton LEH is much easier, (same term times, shared coach etc).

You must be exhausted from it all!

I had one at SHS prep an another elsewhere. I would not recommend. Not pushed as no incentive as no 11+. Very unfriendly. As you stay in the car for drop off/pick up no relationship with teachers or other parents. Not many opportunities for drama, music etc. Compared to other local preps.

@fauconberg that's not great, I did wonder about the pick up/drop off ... is it hard to get into the choirs and clubs etc as the brochure has lots of things going on and I had heard the gymnastics was great ??

Quite a few clubs are invitation only. Most of the children are coached in whatever their bent is outside school. The school are not responsible for the achievements of the children although they do support them if they are good, in all aspects. We found not much encouragement unless you were already a star. They are dropped fairly harshly if someone better comes along. The sharper your elbows the better, the moaner the parent the better the child gets along!

@fauconberg when were you there? Has the new head made a difference? I found LEH juniors a bit stand-off ish ... and Surbiton a bit warmer but always so hard to tell from the outside

I had girls at SHS Prep who had to leave due to relocation. We loved the school. It had a warm, inviting environment and we found nearly all the teachers approachable. Lots of opportunities for parents to be involved. All girls are part of choirs and learn an instrument. Everyone is in a production every other year. There isn't a need to push for 11+ as most girls choose to take natural progression to high school but that's one of the reasons we liked it! More time for the kids to learn rather than slog away at test papers!
The car parking thing is a bit of a pain in the bum but I can't really think what else they could do on a small site when there is no parking in the local area. Our daughters loved it there and were sad to go.

New head is nice on a personal level when we’ve spoken. No real changes. Last head was great so hard to make a mark.

I would say both schools are junior schools attached to senior schools and it really shows. Newland house, Twickenham prep, holy cross, etc. are designed for juniors. They nurture them and help find the secondary which will suit them best rather than moulding to fit the senior school.

I agree no need for 11+ is great but am surprised how far behind my daughter was compared to siblings who went elsewhere.

We’ve been to quite a few schools in the area as our children have progressed through the years and it was bottom of the list.

The senior school is much better.

Well we'll have to agree to disagree! Our girls were very happy there. We had friends whose girls decided not to stay and went off to Guildford or Tiffin with no tutoring so it can't have been doing too bad a job, despite not doing endless exam prep.
Probably best to go into both schools again and get a feel for yourself. Different schools certainly suit different people. Good luck wherever you decide to go!

I would look at it as a long term decision as both offer an easy route through to 18. Academically where do you see your DD in the long run? One school is regarded as much more academic than the other and will suit a very able child. The other has a much broader range of ability. At 6 you must already have a reasonable idea which will suit her. Given they are both good schools with good reputations and easy commutes I think I would be steered by this most of all.

Hi all - thanks for the comments. It's fair to say she surprised us academically and did very well in both exams and especially well on the maths. Having thought (don't we all) she was a super smart toddler we decided she maybe wasn't that smart after all when she started school. She has socialised a lot at her current school but it's been hard to tell how bright she is and she's definitely happy to just play with her friends rather than study. But then she is 6. She isn't competitive at all and very happy in herself! Personally we both got a much warmer feel from Surbiton but we were impressed with the grounds at LEH - especially for the seniors - but that didn't seem like the best reason for going there!

I agree with previous posters that you should take a long term view as to which senior school you prefer or is a better commute. LEH senior has a smaller year group of just over 100 whereas Surbiton is much larger at 180 (?). Sport at LEH is mostly onsite whereas Surbiton girls travel to Hinchley Wood I think. Surbiton seniors is easier to get a place and a back up school for some whereas LEH being more academic is tougher to get a place at 11+ (And therefore many would grab a 7+ if offered one!) Surbiton girls have Kingston nearby and often hang out there after school or lunchtimes (when older). As a parent which is easier for you to get to for parents evenings, concerts, late pick ups? I found parking at Surbiton a little challenging! These are all things to weigh up.

OP, did you get the LEH offer for your dd? Good luck with the decision making.

We did but after much thought we opted for Surbiton Prep in September - just easier logistically and we think better suited to our little one for now!

Hi,

Which year will your daughter be going into? We are also deciding on year 2 placement at SHS prep for our daughter.