Is a smaller prep school like Dolphin schoolsetting child up for failure if they go onto a larger secondary

[Martini1908]

I'm so torn between 3 prep schools for my son and daughter. We have to make a decision in the next week or so!
Hurlingham, The Roche and Dolphin School (Northcote rd).
We like them all for different (sometimes contradictory) reasons.
I worry about the pressure 11+ will put on my children. I want a nurturing school that will provide a fun, happy, supportive environment that will foster confidence, kindness and a love of learning.
Academics are important and we'd like a school who could get them into a local secondary like Emmanuel.
I wonder if Hurlingham's 3 form entry is too big? Too much pressure on the children? Cases of bullying? They are also a private equity run school which turns me off slightly.
Dolphin is a charity and very sweet but I worry that they are too small and too sheltered? How will the children cope going from a nice, tiny school to being in a large hectic secondary? Does anyone have any insights into this please? I am leaning towards Dolphin because they are a charity and smaller and appear to get decent leaver's destinations and aren't for profit like The Roche and Hurlingham but are they offering enough in terms of opportunities in sport and extra curricular?
Have you got an ex Dolphin child who has gone on to a larger secondary school and blossomed or do you wish you'd scaffolded them and made the transition easier by choosing a larger school?
Any tips very welcome!

Whereabouts are you living? Are you happy with the Christian focus at Dolphin?
Children from Dolphin successfully transition to bigger schools such as Emanuel and Epsom.
I don't have children there but it has a very positive local reputation

Hi,
We are based Wandsworth Town so a 20 min walk from Dolphin. No problem with Christian focus. Just worried that it was too small...

Good to hear that transition well.

@Martini1908 , which school does your eldest dc prefer? Have they had taster days? The race for secondary school places is relentless in central/sw London so whilst you might want them to have fun but also achieve a place at Emmanuel in reality they need structured teaching that will prepare them well for exams when they are aged 10/11. The pressure comes from parents, not the schools. If you aren't sure ask for another taster day at your favourite.

Hi,
My kids haven't been to any of the schools...most schools have discouraged bringing along children to the open days. I didn't realise a taster day was an option as we haven't been offered it.
Dolphin' leaver's destinations seem to be as competitive as the others which is encouraging. I guess I worried that it being such a small school would possibly impact the kids when they transitioned into larger secondaries after spending their entire primary years with the same 11-18 faces every day...:/

@Martini1908 , my dc went from a small mixed prep to large single sex secondaries and it was fine. The problem with a small prep is a small pool from which to find friends so secondary was better as a wider friendship group. But also at a small prep you get a chance to be in a sports team, school play etc which faded away at secondary.
Speak to the admissions person at your current favourite, explain you have more than 1 offer and ask if you can visit again and what the transition programme will be for your dc if you accept. When you visit again look at the sports provision etc and how much your dc will gain, ie hockey, football , swimming lessons at local pool etc. The benefits of a prep school against a state primary is the extra curricular and the 11plus exam prep so make those your focus as I'm sure they vary between the 3 options.

Thank you for your response. I've set up another viewing with one of the schools. Fingers crossed I like it better this time round.