Offers from Ken Prep, Wimbledon High, Putney High for 4+ 2023

[DoraSK]

Our DD is very lucky to have received offers from KPS, WHS and PHS for 4+ entry.

I am on the other hand in a big dilemma. It is really a difficult decision to make. And I would love to have some input from parents who have sent DDs to these schools recently!

Background info: DD is bright but shy and sensitive, she will thrive in an nurturing environment where she is top corner (or at least feel that way herself), otherwise she might feel overpowered and lose self confidence.

Based on what I have seen on open days and on mumsnet, I have these Pros and Cons that I feel about these schools:

1.Ken Prep:
Pros: Good reputation; Good 11+ results; relatively easier commute to city where me and DH work; friend's got a DD there (year 2) who is happy;
Cons: Heard a lot about the school being competitive and stressful; seems like at least mild bulling is happening and is very common in the school; it has been said by a lot of parent that tutoring is prevalent in the school (although the year 6 girl told me a different story on open day)

2.WHS
Pros: All through without 11+ pressure; I like the vibe of the school; Good A level results in 2022 (although it feels like a bit irrelevant for 4+ entry this year)
Cons: Re the drag queen incident last year, it gives me a feeling that the school is putting a lot of effort on building public images, which I suspect will impede their effort put on academic teaching; I just found out that there are a relatively large number of girls leaving at 6th form but for PHS is another story, makes me wonder why.

3.PHS
Pros: We had a good feeling about the girls being happy and confident on the open day; A very clear anti-bully policy and buddy system; the head of junior school seems to have good relationship with all the girls; Appears to be a bit more academic than WHS
Cons: I read a post from a previous teacher in PHS saying the school cares more about the family background than academic abilities of girls (can not prove the authenticity); when asked if they prepare girls for 11+, the Head firmly said they intend for all the girls to go to their senior school, which makes me wonder if girls sitting for 7+ or 11+ test gets frowned upon or even gets biased treatment if the tests were unsuccessful and they stay in PHS.

Sorry for the long post, but as you can see, it is a pretty difficult decesion to make.

Welcome any comments on any points I've made above, I understand a lot of the Pros and Cons might be based on my own bias and/or limitation.

Many thanks in advance!

Definitely go for the easiest journey and one you can ideally do by public transport. Neither PHS or WHS encourage dropping off by car. WHS actively discourage it, not sure about PHS.

I’m very confused with the comments saying they feel PHS is more pushy academically. When you look at the results and rankings of the best schools, WHS is consistently better than PHS? So really keen to know what makes you think PHS is more academically challenging. for us WHS is a 10/15min walk, but the PHS bus stop is around the corner from hole.

could you guys share what you have ended up deciding for? 😊

well done to all the girls x

@Wimbledomama We asked about homework and PHS seems to
have more expectation on work done daily, so we get the feel that it is more demanding and pushy.

@Garfield007 , why don't you email admissions at both schools and ask what their reception homework policy is. Then ask WHS how many pupils in reception / KS1 live in your postcode. Then work out the extra time it will take you to get to Wimbledon over 7 years plus and as I said the social time too when you have to go to the school and then if your dd's best friends end up living in Kingston or New Malden. Being part of a community is as much a part of being a reception parent/child as a bit of light reading each night.

Re PHS being pushier (not necessarily better or more academically challenging), I don’t know about others but for me it’s based on some facts and also on gut feeling.

Fact 1, PHS divide girls into ability groups right from reception and constantly assess and adjust. There is a head of EYFS who will stretch those who they think is “more capable”. While for WHS, more attention is given to help girls who need extra time and teaching to catch up with others. Ability group doesn’t exist at all. (Not to say which one is better, but there is significant difference in the schools’ ethos.)

Fact 2, WHS junior spends way more time doing “less academic” activities. The school is proud of the wild girl program which takes the girls out to the common at least once every half term, and it looks like they are planning to do more every year. They do more sports (two PE classes, swimming, dancing, play each week etc.) as well if I’m not wrong. PHS girls mostly stay within the school, they have two PE classes every week and I don’t know if they have other sports related activities other than the clubs.

Fact 3, I didn’t go through the GCSE and A level results in detail, but university destination wise, it does seem like more girls from PHS go to Oxbridge than that from WHS.

Gut feeling: in the gatherings, definitely met a lot of serious and seemingly pushy parents asking all about “academic related” questions in PHS and more relaxed parents and questions in WHS. I guess the attitude of parents does have some impact on that of the school.

Both schools are great in my opinion, but we are leaning towards WHS for more outdoor time.

@DoraSK - all your observations about WHS are quite right (well done on your detailed research), can't say about PHS.
For these very reasons WHS is a fantastic school! The girls seem very happy and engaged in a lot of activities academic and non academic. Swimming is keenly pursued. Overall they strike a great balance. Plus the parent community is lovely (in my experience).

Thanks @AutumnIsMyFavouriteSeason . I got the information all thanks to the lovely and helpful parents who left valuable comments on this thread and other similar threads.

All the best to all your DCs!

@DoraSK hello! Deadline was today for acceptance and I know there was some movement on waiting lists. My friend was on the waiting list for KP and she was told all places have been accepted. Was wondering if that was true. I remember you saying you were declining.

we accepted WH and look for award to meet all of you who are sending their DDs there soon x

@Wimbledomama what they probably meant is that they have enough acceptances to fill the two classes and hence can't tap into the WL further. They didn't mean that every single offer has been accepted, they always over offer. Just that the year group is now full and they can't extend further offers. Places do sometimes come up in late summer.

hi, we declined KP. And I know a couple of other families that have declined. I think it's like pp said, what they meant is that they have fullfilled the two classes and will not continue to offer from WL anymore for now.

I hope your friend's dd gets to a school that suits her.

Did any of you accept WHS in the end? Our DD will be starting there in Sept!

Yes! Us!!

@MrsJackie look forward to probably meeting you at some point!