Ken Prep or Francis Holland Junior

Umbrellah · 28/02/2025 11:03

Amberlightx · 28/02/2025 11:01

We now have reception offers from both schools and would like to hear from parents from those two schools on which to choose.

We live not far from Francis Holland so this would just be a natural easy option. But we heard that KP is more academic and has better results. But it adds 20-25 mins driving time in the morning/ pick up without considering potential traffic.

Would you please help me figure out the pros and cons for each school, and if we go to Francis Holland, does that mean academically we can not make it as good (we might supplement with tutoring but the kid might resist as the girls around her might not be tutoring).

My DC don’t go to either but - Just on the traffic, if you live near FH then the traffic particularly during pick up from KP. Could sometimes take up to 45 mins on a bad day! So I’d factor that in.

Original poster

Amberlightx · 28/02/2025 11:05

Umbrellah · 28/02/2025 11:03

My DC don’t go to either but - Just on the traffic, if you live near FH then the traffic particularly during pick up from KP. Could sometimes take up to 45 mins on a bad day! So I’d factor that in.

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Thanks for your response, yes the traffic is a big concern here too! Parsons Green is just so hectic to get to.

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ChelseaLDN · 28/02/2025 12:28

both great schools, but I agree that to drive past FHJ to get to KP is a hassle . And I don't believe that KP is so far ahead academically that it makes it worth it. but if you really love the school and feel it is the best fit, then you can make it work.

FHJ new premises are fantastic and they do prep for 11+ and send girls to a range of senior schools (not just FHSS). tutoring does happen, as it will in every school. this is a reflection on the parent body, not the school. the great aspect of FHJ is that you get preference in to the senior school (not guaranteed, but you will have easier access) which is a great option if your daughter resists tutoring or being pushed academically in to other senior schools.

for clarity - i am not a current parent, but have just gone through the 4+ with offers for these schools (and others) and have done a lot of chatting with current parents, research etc etc.

Just being curious now...how do you still have reception offers as the deadline for decisions was weeks ago :-)

Original poster

Amberlightx · 28/02/2025 17:24

Thanks for responding. Those are all valid points! We might have just put down some money to buy us some more time 😅 may I ask which school you went to in the end?

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ChelseaLDN · 28/02/2025 18:17

Neither actually :-) we went with one of our other offers with commute being the deciding factor in the very end. But if I had the two offers you have and commute no issue, I would have gone with FHJ. I felt the school gets the balance right between academics, co-curriculars and pastoral care and I loved the idea of having FHSS as a solid option for afterwards. My daughter also really enjoyed the assessment, she came bouncing out and telling me what fun it was. This was not the case at all of them! And I think even at that age they can detect a vibe...or lack of it.

But it's a very personal decision and i'm sure you'll get a gut feeling about which to go with. I wish I had of had more time like you to mull it all over!! The one week they give you to decide goes by very quickly

Good luck with whatever you choose, what fantastic choices you have - you won't go wrong with either x

Original poster

Amberlightx · 28/02/2025 19:46

ChelseaLDN · 28/02/2025 18:17

Neither actually :-) we went with one of our other offers with commute being the deciding factor in the very end. But if I had the two offers you have and commute no issue, I would have gone with FHJ. I felt the school gets the balance right between academics, co-curriculars and pastoral care and I loved the idea of having FHSS as a solid option for afterwards. My daughter also really enjoyed the assessment, she came bouncing out and telling me what fun it was. This was not the case at all of them! And I think even at that age they can detect a vibe...or lack of it.

But it's a very personal decision and i'm sure you'll get a gut feeling about which to go with. I wish I had of had more time like you to mull it all over!! The one week they give you to decide goes by very quickly

Good luck with whatever you choose, what fantastic choices you have - you won't go wrong with either x

Oh how surprising! We were thinking if commuting not an issue we would have gone for KPS. But obviously with the commuting issue, we might as well just choose the more convenient one, given the differences between the two might not justify the extra hassle. But your comments about FHJ is also reassuring! Thank you!

Yea I know, one week is definitely not enough - not even enough to arrange the revisit back to school to. What I have to say is, I felt KPS is a slightly colder school than FHJ, which is a very important factor for 4-5 yrs old.

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Lindtnotlint · 28/02/2025 19:59

Worth reading the recent mumsnet threads on Ken prep. I have no first hand knowledge but quite a lot of parents posted things (not all good).

Sunchaser05 · 10/03/2025 22:34

@ChelseaLDN did you have Thomas’s on that list? We are also considering those vs FHJ and KP and would be curious to hear any recent takes.

ChelseaLDN · 11/03/2025 09:25

Sunchaser05 · 10/03/2025 22:34

@ChelseaLDN did you have Thomas’s on that list? We are also considering those vs FHJ and KP and would be curious to hear any recent takes.

Yes we did! Thomas' was far and away my daughters favourite assessment, she still to this day talks about her playdate at the 'unicorn' school :-) I also had a wonderful experience with staff during our visits to the school, and I think they do a great job with running the 4+.

We had quite a clear preference for single sex (Thomas' was the only co-ed we applied for) so we knew we were unlikely to accept if we received offers for the girls schools we liked. That being said, if we only got Thomas' and no other offers then we would have been very happy to go there!