Prep School in Berkshire for Y5 and Y3?

[NewSchoolShoes]

Hi

We’re hoping to relocate this autumn from N London to Berkshire (just outside Reading) and we are looking at schools for my Y5 and Y3.

I’m yet to call about spaces and presume this might be an issue but I’m looking at Crosfields School, Dolphin School, St Joseph’s College, Reddam House, Holme Grange, Waverley Prep and St Pirans.

My Y5 isn’t being stretched very much at the moment and it’s impacting her confidence as she watches the other children get more attention and my Y3 is quite bubbly and sporty so I’d like somewhere that had good facilities.

Does anyone have recent experience of these schools? I’ve done a search but some of the threads are a few years old.

TIA!

The traffic is really really terrible around Reading and Wokingham and the area between and can take a long time to go fairly short distances, so I would take that into account. Honestly worse than London at times, speaking from experience.
All the schools you mention are good, it depends whether you’re looking for small and nurturing, or larger with more facilities. Also some of the schools will prep for the 11 plus for Kendrick/ Reading Boys, but the ones that go past year 6 won’t make as much effort as they want to keep the students. Don’t know if that’s a factor for you.

Thanks @SausagesSausagesSausages the info about traffic is useful! I’ll be wfh but doing the school run (hopefully!) and some of my clients are US based so I need to be able to be on calls in the afternoon.

We had thought that we might look at Kendrick for secondary - eldest is bright and we are using a tutor at the moment for exam technique but this means that she doesn’t get much attention at school which wears her confidence down - I hadn’t thought about some of the schools having a reason not to prep for 11+.

On balance I think we need nurturing rather facilities as I’m sure we will be joining various clubs as a family anyway - are there schools in the list (or that I haven’t identified) that might fit the bill?

Having a tutor is a great idea, anyone who says not to, is potentially doing their child a disservice, as familiarity with the types of questions can gain extra valuable time in the exam. If most people sitting the 11 plus have had exam prep, the ones that haven’t are going to be at a disadvantage, regardless of their natural ability.
Waverley Is very big on nurturing and has a good track record of eleven plus success, sounds like it best fits your list, but they have been very popular and oversubscribed for a while so call and check if any spaces have come up.
Dolphin are also very good on the nurturing side, but tend to prep more for common entrance at 13.
The other schools are good, but quite a bit larger. Reddam and St Joseph’s are through to 18, Crosfields and Holme grange are through to 16, so ideally want you to stay on.
St Piran’s is a good option, but it’s a 3 form entry so not small. But probably more chance of a space coming up!

Dolphin Dolphin Dolphin. The younger of our two left y8 12 months ago and it was a very happy time for both. It's different - no school uniform, lots of outdoor learning, but it's fab. Both got scholarships to their boarding schools at 13+. Do DM me if you want any more info. Good luck!

@NewSchoolShoes sorry this is a late reply to your query, and maybe you've already made your decision, but I highly recommend St Piran's.

Without a doubt, they generally produce happy confident children, have a great ethos, and there is plenty of sport for your Y3.
Class sizes capped at 20, but not all years are up to those numbers.
The new head (this is his second academic year) has great direction for the school, I think.
Only goes up to Y6 though.

I don't know much about the others I'm afraid - I've visited Crosfields and it looks pretty good, I know people who love Holme Grange.

We moved to the area two years ago and were in a similar position. We ended up going state but several of my friends have kids at crossfields and rate it very highly. They are also just expanding into secondary so one of my friends thinks she will keep her son there into years 9. But they would say to make sure you live on the right side of the river as crossing that is not fun in rush hour. One word of warning is that if you are thinking of going for Reading boys or Kendrick that they have a huge number taking the test and only about 10% get a place- about 1200 boys last year took the test for Reading school. They make the standardised score from those who take the test so a boy who might get 120 on a real standardised test that tests the whole population might only get about 105 on this test as the only kids that take it are the ones who are already top of the class in their primary schools. It's the same for Kendrick too.

Would love to hear any more Dolphin and / or St Pirans views please. We’re considering both for our DS starting in Yr 2 having moved to the area. Realise they are hugely different schools so just grappling with what would suit our DS and in time our DD best!

Hi Bearandbug
Do by all means DM me if you'd like further info (though bear in mind mine are 17 and 15 now so my info might be a bit out of date!)

@bearandbug agree that they are very different - I don’t know much about Dolphin personally, but one of my DS’ classmates has a brother at Dolphin (but is at St Piran’s himself).
St P’s had a virtual open morning this weekend just gone, but I know they would welcome any enquiries if you’d like to contact them to learn more. Please DM me if you want - I think my DD would be in the same year as your DS.

@TeaandHobnobs thanks so much for reply. I’ve sent a PM.