Prep school for reception

[nousernameno]

So recently our circumstances have changed which means we have the option to send our only child to a private school. He has been offered a place based on an assessment they did but he is very happy at his local primary school (state and just a lovely school). I moved to the uk when I was 10 so only did year 6 in the UK so I'm not sure if it would be worth it. I know we can do additional tutoring etc for the 11+ but at the same time I think it's so important for the child to be happy. He has made some good friends in the school and loves going there. He's looking forward to starting reception.

I know this topic has been discussed to death. My heart is saying keep him in his current school as he has settled so well. But at the same time I know the prep school will push him a little. But I really wonder how beneficial this is at this age. I know a good solid foundation would be good but surely that can be achieved in a state primary?

One of the reasons why I'm hesitant to send him to private is that they don't cater for children with additional needs. DS nursery teacher said he is bright but doesn't engage in adult directed activities. Not sure if this is an age thing (he's 4 -a summer baby) or if we need to keep an eye on it.

DS really benefitted from his prep in those early days. He is August born and was not totally 'school ready'. He was on his own agenda and wasn't ready to write. For reception, he was in a class of 8 with an experienced teacher and a TA. The quantity and quality of attention that year really, really helped him.

@KibeththeWalker

DS really benefitted from his prep in those early days. He is August born and was not totally 'school ready'. He was on his own agenda and wasn't ready to write. For reception, he was in a class of 8 with an experienced teacher and a TA. The quantity and quality of attention that year really, really helped him.

Is he still in prep?

Yes, going into Y7 next year.

When my summer-born DS was in reception, I recall my sister commenting that he'd be eaten alive at her year 1 DD's (London state) school (a school they were happy with, to get the context of the comment correct). I recall thinking I'd much rather have him at a school where he didn't need to be ready for that. He was in a class of 10 - though the school subsequently filled to their capacity of 16 pre-prep / 18 in prep.

What a prep school offers in terms of pace / extension / extras will vary, so you need to consider the individual school and how it fits with your family's priorities. The art and music input at ours was great in pre-prep, congruent with expectations higher up the school in parallel with stronger academics later on. I was less fussed about sport - only ever asking that my children remain engaged with some sort of physical activity. (DS now runs for exercise and is contemplating a music degree)

Many preps do have smaller classes in the pre-prep because of the 'state til 8' idea. Then they fill up from Y3 onwards. Preps with 7&8 tend to have another intake then as people bridge primary school and 13-18.

DS's school is 1 form entry in R-2, 2 form in 3-6 and 3 form in 7-8. Smallest class he's been in was 8, biggest 17.

It's ideal for those summer-borns who need extra help at first IMO. I'm a state primary school teacher and I know my DS would have spent all of KS1 in 'intervention' (instead of PE/ Art/ being taught with the class) because his writing was so behind. He'd likely have been put on the SEN register, which happens to many summer borns. He doesn't have SEN. I was so glad for him to be somewhere that didn't put that pressure on him and was just willing to wait for him to catch up (which he did).

This is a traditional, 3-13, non-selective prep though BTW, not a London-type hothouse prep.

@KibeththeWalker

Many preps do have smaller classes in the pre-prep because of the 'state til 8' idea. Then they fill up from Y3 onwards. Preps with 7&8 tend to have another intake then as people bridge primary school and 13-18.

DS's school is 1 form entry in R-2, 2 form in 3-6 and 3 form in 7-8. Smallest class he's been in was 8, biggest 17.

It's ideal for those summer-borns who need extra help at first IMO. I'm a state primary school teacher and I know my DS would have spent all of KS1 in 'intervention' (instead of PE/ Art/ being taught with the class) because his writing was so behind. He'd likely have been put on the SEN register, which happens to many summer borns. He doesn't have SEN. I was so glad for him to be somewhere that didn't put that pressure on him and was just willing to wait for him to catch up (which he did).

This is a traditional, 3-13, non-selective prep though BTW, not a London-type hothouse prep.

This is what I've been worried about too. DS teacher has said that one his targets is to engage in adult led activities and did say that it might be something they need to keep an eye on- fair enough but did get me worried. The prep school he has been offered a place into is one of the ones you mentioned which is why I don't want to send him there either (too much pressure and kids get kicked out if they don't perform to their standards). There are some good non selective ones around as well so I might need to look around

Surely it all depends on whether you are happy his needs are being met in his current school. A good primary should get the numeracy and literacy foundations laid successfully but might lack breadth of provision, that is, teach to the SATS curriculum but not beyond. A small primary might lack sports provision, which a prep is more likely to offer, but you can offset this with clubs, ditto instrumental lessons. My summer-born DS went from primary to prep at eight, was one of very few who had not been in a pre-prep. What we found was that he was well ahead of other classmates in lit and num but broader co-curricular subjects were less developed except where we had compensated ourselves. I wouldn't worry about falling behind if you have a decent state primary where your DS is happy. Any advantages or otherwise at eight will iron themselves out. You can afford to prioritise wellbeing and happiness, so perhaps avoid rushing him into a certain prep that doesn't suit him, just because you can. Remember, if you are paying it's for the school to meet your expectations, not the other way around.