Hampshire/Berkshire Prep Schools - need inside views

[rosesandsunflowers]

Currently considering prep schools for our 2 boys. We're looking at options from around Winchester up to just north of Newbury. So far seen Brockhurst, Cheam, Horris Hill, Thorngrove, Prince's Mead and also considering Farleigh and Rookwood. Would love any insight from current or recent parents of children at these schools. Any else we should consider? Our eldest is very bright and possibly has ADHD/ASD (as yet undiagnosed but going through the process). Youngest is also bright and very sporty. We don't need a boarding school as would prefer them to be day pupils at this age but the option of some flex boarding might be useful/helpful if the go on to a secondary boarding school.

I would consider Stroud prep in Romsey with that profile and there are mini buses from Winchester.

Steer clear of Rookwood.

There's quite a quality span in your list, @rosesandsunflowers from Farleigh, HH and Cheam down to Rookwood. Your choice will need to be shaped by your preference for senior school- understanding your boys won't be boarding, what type of school are you aiming for? For bright boys you could also consider Pilgrims in Winchester (unless you want co-ed). If you think your DS1 would be better off in a very small school HH could be a strong option. If you are located half way between Winchester and Newbury, and not fazed by its strong Catholic ethos (or put off by the Test Valley crowd) the obvious choice is probably Farleigh- you will know there's a very loyal local following and families socialise together, creating friendship groups near home that are great during holidays or when they've all moved on at13.

Thanks for the reply @Djangoismydogsname and @Leftoversgalore. I know there is quite a range within our list. To be honest, the list was compiled mainly by location. Farleigh is on our list to visit - I’ve heard good things (and our boys already swim there) and Pilgrims is also one we’re considering.
I’d not heard of Stroud but it looks great so I’ll take a look.
I think we’d expect our boys to go somewhere like Winchester/Wellington/ Marlborough/Sherborne for secondary although it depends on how they progress academically.

Hi @rosesandsunflowers looking at those senior schools Horris Hill would prepare well for any of them (if you don't mind its tiny size). Cheam is a major feeder for Marlborough- I should think (but don't know) that Cheam would also send lots of boys to Bradfield and Radley. It's a very large school- too much so for some. Pilgrims is great for clever musicians but it is very focused on Winchester and I think rather dispiriting for those who aren't either top notch musicians or Winchester Election candidates. Sherborne has heaps of boys from your neck of the woods, many of them from Farleigh and Twyford. I think Sherborne is on the up academically but will never be a hothouse- any of the better preps you've listed will get them there if at least reasonably academic. Having lived in the TV I wasn't as much aware of kids heading East towards Wellington, it was more up or down the A34 or A303. I mention this because my impression is Wellington has more DC from London/Surrey/E Berks and your DS might be isolated out of term time. I don't recall any boys from our prep going there. Great school though! Rookwood is more an all-through proposition: no doubt children do sometimes go on from there to top flight senior schools but that's not really what's on offer.

@rosesandsunflowers Stroud School was where the Prime Minister did his prep years before Wincoll.

Lots of children go on to KES Southampton, some to local schools like St Swithun's for girls and Embley, some go to Wincoll or further afield. Dauntseys is a brilliant option also, especially for sport and music/drama.

Oh and on the option of Farleigh, as it is a Catholic school a lot of boys go to the Benedictine schools, Downside and Worth Abbey and Ampleforth.

Hi Left. Why would you steer clear of Rookwood?

We were considering this option and keen to hear feedback if you wouldn’t mind.

V useful thread for Hampshire parents! Thank you OP

Steer clear of Horris Hill at all costs - it is in a death spiral (losing pupils much faster than it can replace them). Very poor management under the newish Head (former Eton Housemaster) - the word has already got around as pupil numbers in yrs. 3-6 are in single figures in each yeargroup

Hi! Could you please share more? As I got an offer for my son, and just heard that headmaster left. Sounds like a suspicious situation and can't feel confident about going forward.....

Yes, the Head does seem to have left it's not cheap and can you take a chance on the new Head being a success? There are other options within striking distance ........

I have had friends who really liked HH, but this was in the last 5 years. I have also heard of new Head, but can't comment.
Elstree is also popular locally but possibly further away than you would like.

HH is part of the Forfar group - the change of Head is on the HH website but not the Forfar website

It's announced that just an interim Head, looks like she would not stay long, it's tricky to update new head two terms later. Can't see the hope for the future.

OP I’ve learnt from many school visits that you go with your gut. No-one knows your children like you do - just choose the school you think will suit your children, your location and you.

This.

It has been through a lot of change: new Heads, new ownership (now backed by a group) and the introduction of girls - also day & flexi boarding both now options. As a current parent (are you- do you have the authority to say?), I would not agree it is in a “death spiral”… Just a lot of change and the numbers feeding through from the lower school look good

My son is at embley and has adhd, they've been great with him.

Just seen Horris Hill advertise a teaching job up to GCSE. Are you moving to be an all through school?

‘Are they’ not ‘are you’!

Yes, they are. Extending age range to 16. To be honest, can't see its worth.

Interested in views of thorngrove too? Following with interest.

Is that to keep hold of their Year 7 and 8s? So many schools seem to be getting rid of those year groups.

I have heard good things about Thorngrove as an all rounder @Amberkitten7654321

Interesting re Horris Hill!

We sent ours to Thorngrove. I have only good things to say about it. They are nurturing and kind. The children are achieving and what is fabulous to see is how happy my children are. My eldest has come on leaps and bounds having been there - we have seen a noticeable difference. You should definitely take a look.