Hi Mumsnet,
Decision time! We have offers from both Eltham College (Year 3) and Blackheath Prep for our 7 year old son and we are struggling to choose. We'd really appreciate some honest opinions from anyone who knows either school.
Specifically, we're wondering about:
- For Blackheath Prep: How is the preparation for senior school entry at 11/13? Is it very pressured at that stage? What are the senior school destinations like?
- For Eltham College: How is the Junior School experience within a larger all-through school? Does it feel nurturing enough for younger boys? What are the advantages/disadvantages of starting at 7 and staying through to 18 (potentially)?
- Pastoral Care at Year 3 in both: Any experiences with how well they support children settling in and with any issues that arise?
- Extracurricular activities for Year 3: Which school offers a broader range or stronger provision at this age?
- Overall "vibe" of each school: What's the general atmosphere like for parents and pupils?
- Logistics: We are about 10-15 minutes walking distance from blackheath prep. He will need to take the coach from blackheath standard to go to Eltham college.
Any insights, good or bad, would be incredibly helpful as we try to make this big decision. Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom!