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Original poster

Replies from Prep Schools

27 replies

babybee12 · 20/10/2021 19:42

Hello, we are currently looking at placing DS into a prep school in the Oxfordshire area. I’ve had wonderful responses from the majority of prep schools but I’ve also had no response from one of the “well known” schools in the area.
Ive emailed, called and left a message etc…
Should I wait a while before trying again?
It’s for 2024 entry into reception but I know it’s best to be prepared.
Is this a common occurrence?

OP posts:
Thingaling · 21/10/2021 00:39

My personal view on this is that the way schools treat you when you are not a parent yet is a pretty good indicator of the way they will treat you when you are.

If you want to send your DS to a school that doesn’t acknowledge or respond to your calls, then keep pursuing it…

That would drive me mad though. For the amount you will be paying for fees, you deserve better comms than that.

(Which school is it, go on… tell us!)

SeasonFinale · 21/10/2021 00:40

Just a thought - possibly half term and perhaps they forgot to put the out-of-office message on the admissions line.

Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 02:37

Well I had wondered how odd it was! I’d feel badly mentioning them if there has been a delay or indeed some slow response due to any other factors
I will definitely keep you posted if I do indeed hear back!

OP posts:
lnsufficientFuns · 21/10/2021 03:00

It’s half term!
They get two weeks off

Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 03:24

That’s good to know! Schools here in the States are in full swing, so I forget when the UK schools have holidays.
Hopefully I hear back!!! I keep thinking time is passing and we can’t go to the stay and plays because we’re not back in blighty yet! So I feel extra pressure to get organized.

OP posts:
HampshireMutha · 21/10/2021 03:46

Admissions teams don't normally get time off over holidays. I imagine that their lack of response is either because your year of entry is so far away that your enquiry hasn't been prioritised, or (if they are a very popular school), they no longer have spaces for that year of entry. I would keep calling.

Legoninjago1 · 21/10/2021 08:45

@Thingaling

My personal view on this is that the way schools treat you when you are not a parent yet is a pretty good indicator of the way they will treat you when you are.

If you want to send your DS to a school that doesn’t acknowledge or respond to your calls, then keep pursuing it…

That would drive me mad though. For the amount you will be paying for fees, you deserve better comms than that.

(Which school is it, go on… tell us!)

Completely agree. This is my experience too. It is generally a very good indicator of the general attitude towards parents. I have two at different preps and they're both at school this week so not everyone is on half term yet.
thingaling · 21/10/2021 11:43

@Legoninjago1. Yes us also - half term doesn’t start at our prep until this Friday.

But even in the school holidays the registrar is checking and responding to emails. Private schools (even those owned by charitable trusts) are businesses and can’t afford to lose customers or ignore suppliers by shutting up shop every time the pupils are not in school.

Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 12:55

Hmmm this is so interesting to hear, well I checked the term dates and they are not off for half term until Friday.

Since starting this post yesterday, I’ve actually now had responses from all of the registrars of our potential schools, except this particular one.
The school was recommended to us by a past parent.

One school that is in our top two has even gone as far as to help assist with relocation estate agents. Which we thought was so helpful!

Now I think about it, one school a while back even apologised for their late reply and they were only two days later in replying.

I’m going to give one last try and keep you all updated.
Given this schools popularity I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they had the pick of parents and were oversubscribed. Which is a testament to them but not so good for those who want to get their child into said school!

One that note does anyone have any prep school recommendations for great reception year group in Oxford? Especially good for boys?

OP posts:
thingaling · 21/10/2021 13:24

@babybee12

is it The Dragon?

Legoninjago1 · 21/10/2021 13:24

Well Summer Fields springs to mind but you may be talking about them!
Exactly how long have you been waiting for a response from the non responder and did you try calling?

Legoninjago1 · 21/10/2021 13:28

Summer Fields would be my first choice in that area for sure. Recently opened a pre prep. .

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 21/10/2021 13:29

[quote thingaling]@babybee12

is it The Dragon?[/quote]
you beat me to it @thingaling

thingaling · 21/10/2021 14:14

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

Great minds.

@babybee12

At age 4/5 you are talking about a pre prep, not a prep. To capture families at an earlier age some 8-13 preps (like Summer Fields) have recently opened pre-preps. The Dragon has Lynams pre prep, on a separate site.

The advantage of this route is that (unless things go badly wrong and the school manages your child out) if you get a place at 4, you have a guaranteed place until 13.

The disadvantage of this route is that pre preps attached to preps will not support children to do 7/8+ assessments at other prep schools. So if you move areas, or your child’s needs change, or if you find an 8-13 prep you really like, or on closer acquaintance you realise you don’t like the first school (which happens more often than you might think) then you are on your own.

Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 14:26

Update!

No it wasn’t the Dragon (although were really lovely and so helpful!)

So I actually decided to call said school just now and the registrar answered! We had a really lovely chat and she was really apologetic and seems like there may have been a mix up with communications. She did say they were swamped with admissions.

Anyway there we go, we will register him and hopefully we’ll be able to visit them and other schools when we’re over there in the spring/summer

Thanks so much for everyone’s help.

I really like the look of Moulsford too so if anyone has any information on that school I’d love to hear before registering.

OP posts:
Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 14:32

Thank you @thingaling!

That is so interesting! I hadn’t thought about that. I can see why those schools would want to keep their students instead of sending them to another school at 7+

Hmmm okay so I will have to factor this into account…

OP posts:
Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 14:34

So would you all choose Summer Fields over Dragon given the choice?

OP posts:
Bex000 · 21/10/2021 15:12

I would try the following if you are looking at out of town pre preps, St Hughs, Pinewood, Abingdon Prep and St Andrews/Moulsford a bit further out.
We have a son who will be going into reception in 2024 so happy to share experience.

Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 15:29

Thanks Bex000 we’re open to all options at present for pre preps.
I will say that the selection of schools there is pretty impressive. It’s great to have such a choice of schools to consider!
I have the good schools guide but I know parents first hand knowledge/experience of schools is really helpful too

OP posts:
Thingaling · 21/10/2021 18:56

@babybee12

Moulsford is nice, good for river based activities. Proper countryside. We know some very discerning people there!

What will be key for you is a short commute. You do not want to be sitting around in notorious Oxford traffic for hours every day with a tired and hungry four year old. So for schools like the Dragon and Summer Fields, you either live within walking/biking distance in Summertown or Parktown or forget it.

I don’t know if you are planning to rent or buy, but there is a massive shortage of rental properties in Oxfordshire at the moment, post Covid, so perhaps the thing to do is find somewhere to live first, and then work out which school is a reasonable commute.

As far as registering early goes, with the possible exception of Lynams, you will find that in reality it doesn’t really matter. In other words, there’s a lot of movement on admissions lists because of migration and people registering for multiple schools. So if you don’t register everywhere immediately, it’s not a disaster. Places are nearly always found for parents who ask nicely.

Original poster
babybee12 · 21/10/2021 19:33

Thanks @Thingaling
I’ve been searching for rentals and you’re absolutely spot on about the shortage. We really don’t want to buy until we know exactly where we’d like to live.

Once we’re over for a visit that will help.
All of the schools in our selection have invited us to have zoom appointments with the headmasters, so at least that will help in getting to know them in depth from so far away.

As for registering at schools so far they’ve said that I’m registering in plenty of time so I can concentrate on really understanding each school and the best fit for my little one.

What a process this is!!!

OP posts:
Legoninjago1 · 21/10/2021 21:51

Are you tied to Oxfordshire OP? Would
Berkshire or other areas be an option?

Original poster
babybee12 · 22/10/2021 00:04

We would consider Berkshire, what schools were you thinking?

OP posts:
NicolaMarlowsMerlin · 23/10/2021 14:25

Agree about travel in Oxfordshire. We moved from up north and massively underestimated travel times! Pick where you want to live wrt work/family etc., and then you can pick the right school, there are lots of lovely options. We are Moulsford fans but there are fans of most schools on here, depending on what you won is like and what you want for him.

NicolaMarlowsMerlin · 23/10/2021 14:26

What your SON is like, obviously! Sorry.