Prep school choice in north west London

[Anna123mum]

Hi everyone,

My son has just received 4+ places at Radlett Prep and St John’s Northwood. Which one would you choose ?

Commute to St John’s is about 40 mins in the morning and 30 mins return. Looks fantastic and has everything we would want however there still seems to be tutoring for 11+.

Commute to RP is much less at 15-20mins in the morning and 10 mins return. Seems lacking in facilities and packed lunches. Also tutoring seems common for 11+. Also finishes at 3.15 and lacks good wrap around care ( although not really needed by us luckily). I just had a baby girl so would be easier for us.

Can’t shake the feeling St John’s would be better for him but the commute may be too much for him as he gets older and has more homework and extracurricular stuff.

Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts!

Thanks !

That commute will get tiring quickly, not just for schools but also for play dates, parties etc.

I wouldn’t want a school that didn’t have decent wraparound care, it will limit your work options.

I’m not sure exactly where you are based but have you looked at any other schools? If you say roughly where I can make suggestions.

In my experience, I think everyone tutors for the 11+ regardless of school.

Everyone tutors for the 11+, whatever the schools say

Radlett prep is about to get a new head who was deputy head of the junior at Habs girls.

Hi all, Any ideas what Radlett Prep has been like in the past few years? Their leaver destinations are still very impressive, especially for the boys. Do people still feel its academically ahead of the surrounding schools in the area. Given that most kids tutor for the best secondary schools anyway, what are they doing differently to get these results? Thank you

My son is currently in year 1 at Radlett Prep and can honestly say from what I’ve seen the school is constantly evolving for the better. The new head mistress started in April 23 and since then has introduced hot lunch, wrap around care and generally seems more focussed on how to better the school for both parents and children. Academically, the kids are advanced but they also all seem extremely happy, well-cared for and have broad interests. I’m sure all (or most) have tutors for 11+ but from what I hear that’s standard across most schools now due to its competitive nature.

It's Lara Flynn, ex of Habs, isn't it? with her as the head, and she school being owned by the parents of the current deputy head at Habs girls, they shouldn't have problems getting girls into Habs!