Perse-prep / St. Faith's / King's

[TheCamParent]

Hello,

We are considering our DD to go to one of the three private schools for Year3 - Perse prep, St. Faith's and King's in Cambridge.

I have analysed these as the main differences of these three schools
Perse: Highly academic, good on sports, 23 children in a class, 3 forms, Specialist teachers from Y3.
St. Faiths: Good on sports and engineering, 18 children in a class, 4 forms, Specialist teachers from Y5.
King's: Musical, 18-20 children in a class, 4 forms, Specialist teachers from Y5

I am a bit puzzled about what will be the right school for her. I have many questions. Is St. Faith's too much about sports? Is St Faith's academics at par with Perse? How is King's for academics and sports?

Is there too much competition in Perse, among pupils (or parents) ? Are 23 children in a class, sometimes too many?

I would love to hear experiences of these schools. Thanks !

St faiths is decent but doesn’t go all the way to 18. also has more school holidays so consider how you will cover them.

Perse is highly competitive. Kids seem decent enough, but if yours is likely to have any issues, be prepared to fork out for a tutor to keep up.

No idea on Kings in Cambridge.

How did you include Kings on the list and not St John's and have you visited all 3? Do you know which secondary school you want your dd to move on to?

Thanks KleineDracheKokosnuss and sunshineclouds24.

I have visited all three, but not St. John's.

I have learnt that St. John's is a great school too. I am yet to hear from them if they are going to accept any more applications for Y3. Please provide more information about this school, if you have.

I am not sure about secondary school, just yet. Probably Perse.
My DD loves all subjects in academics, and also loves sports. She is learning music too.

We want her to be challenged to do well in academics as well as extra-curricular activities likewise.

@TheCamParent , if you aren't interested in boarding schools at age 11 then it makes sense to send her to The Perse in year 3. So much of the prep curriculum at all prep schools focuses on entrance exams so you would avoid this. I don't live in Cambridge now so can't add much more but I do know St John's is very popular hence the lack of pupil places.
They are all good schools but as you probably know the traffic is dreadful in the city so take that into account too.

Moved to www.mumsnet.com/Talk/local/4456936-Perse-prep-St-Faiths-Kings-St-Johns?watched=1

@KleineDracheKokosnuss and @sunshineclouds24

I like Perse but my only concern is that being among competitive kids (or parents) shouldn't ruin the childhood. I want to give my DS the best possible education, while she enjoys the most precious childhood.
I wouldn't want to do extra tuitions just to stay at the top. Breadth of knowledge and experiences, without the stress, is what I am looking for.

My DS might want to pursue sports/music or some other subject. I don't want her to be moulded into a trend because everyone else in the school is doing it.

Also, pastoral support is an important factor for me.

With St. Faith's, I am not clear, if they are too much about Sports and less focused on academics achievement.

St faiths usually feeds to the Leys which I believe has good results. So that should be ok for her. It’s got a very good rep.

St Mary’s (girls only) also gets excellent results and I was very impressed by them when I visited.

Perse is good, but is definitely highly competitive. Children are assessed before entry even for nursery school at age 3.

Stories I have heard from the perse (mere anecdata so of limited use) include of parents being told to get a tutor to help with handwriting - which I always though was something the school should be on top of.

But equally I know people with their kids there who think the world of the Perse. Though one did send one son elsewhere because he knew he wasn’t academic enough.

Thank you @KleineDracheKokosnuss.

I am not considering a girls-only school, so St. Mary's is not an option for me.

Do you know about St Faith's engineering curriculum, sports, extra-curricular activities and pastoral care?

Do children get help, if needed, or are left for parents to find tutors?
I am hearing that Perse is not very great at that,