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Original poster

St Ronan's, Marlborough House or Dulwich Prep

28 replies

calico13 · 16/01/2023 17:59

Hi
Is anyone familiar with the schools above? We're looking for a place for my DD. Must be a nurturing school as she is sensitive. She doesn't do well in loud or busy environments as she can get overwhelmed.
Has mild SEN so needs to be a school open to this. Very studious and loves art and drama. She isn't hugely sporty.
Anyone have any feedback? Obviously will see them!
Thank you!

OP posts:
PassTheCremeEggs · 19/01/2023 11:39

Based on what you've said above, I'd lean towards Marlborough House. You'll obviously get a feel for them when you visit and you'll probably have a gut instinct for which will suit you and your child the best, but St Ronans is pretty big now relative to other prep schools in the area - 400+ pupils. There are mixed reviews locally on whether this is a good thing or not. Dulwich is nice but perhaps a bit... pushy? Marlborough house is very nurturing and a lovely environment at all age levels.

MomFromSE · 19/01/2023 12:57

Dulwich Prep is a boys schooL, it only takes girls in the nursery. Also, I definitely wouldn't call it quiet!

Original poster
calico13 · 19/01/2023 13:03

@MomFromSE Dulwich prep in Cranbrook not in London. Dulwich prep in Kent is co-ed.

OP posts:
Original poster
calico13 · 19/01/2023 13:04

PassTheCremeEggs · 19/01/2023 11:39

Based on what you've said above, I'd lean towards Marlborough House. You'll obviously get a feel for them when you visit and you'll probably have a gut instinct for which will suit you and your child the best, but St Ronans is pretty big now relative to other prep schools in the area - 400+ pupils. There are mixed reviews locally on whether this is a good thing or not. Dulwich is nice but perhaps a bit... pushy? Marlborough house is very nurturing and a lovely environment at all age levels.

@PassTheCremeEggs thanks very much for the feedback. Sounds like Dulwich might not be the environment for her. Although will see how I feel when we visit

OP posts:
Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 19/01/2023 13:20

From the sounds of it, Ide lean towards Marlborough house or st Ronans, Claremont isn't too far either.

Freckles28 · 20/01/2023 11:35

Have you thought about Vinehall? Really nurturing environment, the Art and Drama is outstanding, they have a full size theatre too. I know a lot of families who are really happy there.

Original poster
calico13 · 20/01/2023 15:36

Freckles28 · 20/01/2023 11:35

Have you thought about Vinehall? Really nurturing environment, the Art and Drama is outstanding, they have a full size theatre too. I know a lot of families who are really happy there.

Hi @Freckles28 no I hadn't really. On as when I searched threads re schools in the area there was negative feedback (more than normal). I'll take another look tho

OP posts:
Original poster
calico13 · 20/01/2023 15:37

Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 19/01/2023 13:20

From the sounds of it, Ide lean towards Marlborough house or st Ronans, Claremont isn't too far either.

@Pinksmyfavoritecolour I think Claremont might be slightly too far but I have heard good things. Also Bedes which would require a move.

OP posts:
Freckles28 · 20/01/2023 16:56

I would be careful with going solely on threads on mumsnet, as it is the opinion of just one or two people...the most important thing you can do is go and have a look around yourself and see for yourself.

Original poster
calico13 · 20/01/2023 17:02

Freckles28 · 20/01/2023 16:56

I would be careful with going solely on threads on mumsnet, as it is the opinion of just one or two people...the most important thing you can do is go and have a look around yourself and see for yourself.

@Freckles28 agreed I'm not. But it's also one place you can get some feedback from people who (apparently) know the schools. It was helpful last time we were looking.

OP posts:
HolliB3 · 31/01/2023 13:06

@Freckles28 I couldn't agree with you more, me and my DH visited Vinehall last week and we were totally blown away - there was such a great feeling as we were walking around, the Headmaster is brilliant and there is clearly a lot of investment taking place. I am totally disillusioned with my DS's current school so it's exciting to look around and see what else is out there 😃

ManAboutTown · 01/02/2023 00:17

Ours went to Dulwich Prep - we left a while back but it's really a boys school. They only took girls in the nursery and reception years and often if they had a. brother further up the school. A quick look on their website seems to confirm this is still the case

If you are looking in that area try Alleyn's (co-ed) or JAGS (for girls) depending on what you want

Pigeonwigeon · 02/02/2023 16:50

I think Marlborough House have recently developed their art and dt facilities and I know children who have received scholarships to their senior schools in these areas. As others have said it has a reputation for being a nurturing school. So might be a good fit. Worth looking around them all though, really talking to the staff and going with your gut. Good luck!

user1457438254 · 12/02/2023 05:19

Hi, I'm looking at Dulwich prep school in Cranbrook for my son too. He has high functioning autism, anxiety disorder and ADHD but has thrived in a small independent mainstream school where we used to live. We've just recently moved to Kent. Getting really anxious about how he'll/we'll fit in as he's not sporty, I don't drive a 4x4 or wear Hobbs ....etc, these all seemed to be pre requisites for st Ronan's, Marlborough house, Claremont and Vinehall...

Dulwich seemed nurturing and friendly when we looked round but I'm scared by the posts on here about them being "pushy"and very sporty. I just need a small friendly private school for my son as he can't attend state school due to his concentration issues and feeling overwhelmed by big, noisy classrooms. Anyone know about the Sen department/support at any of these schools?

Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 12/02/2023 11:05

To the last messager, have you looked into Wyvern school in Ashford, not sure I've spelt it correct, it's a special needs school so I'm not sure of the entry requirements, but just another idea for you to look into.

user1457438254 · 13/02/2023 20:04

I live too far from Ashford. And my son doesn't have severe enough needs for a specialist school. We have recently moved here from Hampshire where he attended a small independent mainstream school which he loved but we had to move here for my husband's job. Lots of private schools around here (all the one's mentioned in the OP) have turned us down because my son needs a 1:1 LSA to assist him with his concentration difficulties... Dulwich have offered him a place and seemed friendly when we looked around so I'm just hoping that when he starts things will work out ok ... I'm just scared because despite being private school educated myself I don't fit the mould of driving a range rover, my children aren't sporty and I don't wear Hobbs!!

willma86 · 16/05/2023 16:09

Wanted to jump on this thread and ask a few more questions to anyone with any insight…we are in a similar position between st Ronan’s and Marlborough House. Does anyone have any thoughts on the following:

liked the forward thinking approach of MHS, but is it actually forward thinking / liberal in real life? If so, why are the boys still in ties and blazers!??

liked the eccentricity of St R, but is it actually just quite old school and holding onto a bygone era? have also heard a few (separate) reports of bullying, which of course happens in every school, but wondered how it is dealt with

are either school liberal in their outlook, or am I hoping for the impossible!?

thank you so much in advance!!

Joey1976 · 16/05/2023 19:34

I'll pm you

Joey1976 · 16/05/2023 19:43

willma86 · 16/05/2023 16:09

Wanted to jump on this thread and ask a few more questions to anyone with any insight…we are in a similar position between st Ronan’s and Marlborough House. Does anyone have any thoughts on the following:

liked the forward thinking approach of MHS, but is it actually forward thinking / liberal in real life? If so, why are the boys still in ties and blazers!??

liked the eccentricity of St R, but is it actually just quite old school and holding onto a bygone era? have also heard a few (separate) reports of bullying, which of course happens in every school, but wondered how it is dealt with

are either school liberal in their outlook, or am I hoping for the impossible!?

thank you so much in advance!!

Actually I can't work out how to.

We looked at both schools and chose MHS. We actually really like St R's but the taster day wasn't suited to DC. Some of the behaviour was, maybe, boisterous and not entirely welcoming. Children not staff. We decided for a robust/confident child it would be fine but not for those more sensitive probably not. I definitely wouldn't have described it as being liberal. It struck me as a older fashioned school but that was part of the charm.
We went with MHS which actually wasn't our initial first choice but we've been very impressed. If I can work out how to message I'm happy to share more details

redpheasant · 19/05/2023 20:48

willma86 · 16/05/2023 16:09

Wanted to jump on this thread and ask a few more questions to anyone with any insight…we are in a similar position between st Ronan’s and Marlborough House. Does anyone have any thoughts on the following:

liked the forward thinking approach of MHS, but is it actually forward thinking / liberal in real life? If so, why are the boys still in ties and blazers!??

liked the eccentricity of St R, but is it actually just quite old school and holding onto a bygone era? have also heard a few (separate) reports of bullying, which of course happens in every school, but wondered how it is dealt with

are either school liberal in their outlook, or am I hoping for the impossible!?

thank you so much in advance!!

We're current parents at MHS - happy to answer any questions you have if you want to PM me. We're really happy with it. Don't take too much from the blazers and ties. It's a really happy, relaxed school that achieves a lot. I have two very different children there (boy and girl), and both are as happy as each other. The staff are largely absolutely lovely, it's friendly, warm and welcoming, and my children are both thriving.

Pigeonwigeon · 24/05/2023 09:20

Another vote for Marlborough House. Warm and welcoming and yes I would say they have a forward thinking approach - they have a baccalaureate for the older children which centres around learning life skills. I am a current Pre-Prep parent and its apparent there too with individual character development and the head of pre-prep is amazing with this. Small class sizes are a plus as well. Meeting the older pupils who guided on a tour did it for us (think this is only on open days), they were such great ambassadors for the school and this approach.

CountryBliss · 24/02/2024 16:53

Could anyone please share their thoughts on which private school would suit a very bright 7 year old boy with a sensory/adhd/hyper activity disorder? We’ve recently moved to Tenterden, Kent, but we are looking to move more into the countryside in the next year or so. It will still be somewhere between Tenterden, Cranbrook and perhaps even towards Smarden.
Our son is a very high functioning and sociable little boy who loves being outdoors.
He’s doing well at a local infant school but we feel that he would perhaps better suit an environment that can offer him more time outdoors and to be in a smaller class.
Thank you in advance.

noodletimesthree · 25/01/2025 21:11

user1457438254 · 13/02/2023 20:04

I live too far from Ashford. And my son doesn't have severe enough needs for a specialist school. We have recently moved here from Hampshire where he attended a small independent mainstream school which he loved but we had to move here for my husband's job. Lots of private schools around here (all the one's mentioned in the OP) have turned us down because my son needs a 1:1 LSA to assist him with his concentration difficulties... Dulwich have offered him a place and seemed friendly when we looked around so I'm just hoping that when he starts things will work out ok ... I'm just scared because despite being private school educated myself I don't fit the mould of driving a range rover, my children aren't sporty and I don't wear Hobbs!!

Can I ask how your little one is finding Dulwich Cranbrook??

We are also looking at the little stream, also mild sen... thanks

noodletimesthree · 25/01/2025 21:13

CountryBliss · 24/02/2024 16:53

Could anyone please share their thoughts on which private school would suit a very bright 7 year old boy with a sensory/adhd/hyper activity disorder? We’ve recently moved to Tenterden, Kent, but we are looking to move more into the countryside in the next year or so. It will still be somewhere between Tenterden, Cranbrook and perhaps even towards Smarden.
Our son is a very high functioning and sociable little boy who loves being outdoors.
He’s doing well at a local infant school but we feel that he would perhaps better suit an environment that can offer him more time outdoors and to be in a smaller class.
Thank you in advance.

Sounds like my little one!! Which setting did you go for?? Thanks x

CountryBliss · 25/01/2025 21:53

Hi @noodletimesthree
We sent him to Dulwich Prep. He is doing amazingly well. It was definitely the right choice for him. He is like a different child. 🤗