Beckenham/West Wickham Prep schools - St David’s or St Christopher’s

[TheLemonTraybake]

Hi everyone,

We’re currently exploring options for a small, local independent school for our children and would really appreciate any insight or personal experiences with either St David’s Prep or St Christopher’s.

We’re ideally looking for somewhere that’s nurturing, has a strong sense of community, and supports a range of personalities — our two children are quite different, so we’re hoping for a school that recognises and values individuality.

If anyone has children there currently or in the past, we’d love to hear about your impressions of the teaching, pastoral care, extracurriculars, and anything else you think might be helpful.

Thanks so much in advance!

Hello,
My two children are at St David's Prep in West Wickham. They absolutely love it there. I hate arguments but felt I had to chime in, in defence of the school. Yes, I am biased, because I love the school, but I love the school because they have done the most incredible job of looking after my children during their time there. One of my children is currently in Year 6 and I believe almost all of the children got offers at impressive independent schools or grammar schools. I totally disagree with the notion of private tuition so held out and didn't let my child have it. My child isn't particularly enthusiastic when it comes to doing homework (it always gets done last thing Sunday night!) so I didn't want to put pressure on them or make them feel they had to get into a school that was beyond their level. I also totally trusted St David's to have taught them well so that they would be equipped for entrance exams and interviews. My child applied to three independent schools and was offered scholarships at two, and a place at the other one. I am so grateful to St David's - but not just for their academic excellence. The pastoral care has also been totally amazing. My children have been looked after, listened to, supported in difficult times, and have always loved their teachers, the ones who have been there for years and the new teachers coming in as the school expands.

Yes, they might not have a swimming pool or some of the facilities of larger prep schools in the area but the care and individual attention is second to none. There are also tons of early morning and after school clubs, catering for all sorts of interests. The only down side is I have to get my kids to school for 7.45am every day as they want to do every single club (Robotics, coding, chess, rounders, lacrosse, football, netball, hockey, drama, karate, creative writing, philosophy, debate club etc etc). I realise every experience is individual and that you must choose the school that best suits your own child. Of course you can't please everyone and some people might prefer a more pushy, high-pressured environment but I know that really wouldn't suit my kids. I have never posted on this website before but another mum was so upset by the posts that she shared the link with me as she knew that I too would want to share my experience, which has been incredibly positive. Yes, I admit I am biased, I am only biased because I have been so happy with the school for my children. If you are looking for a caring, nurturing environment, where children receive an excellent education without being put under tons of pressure, where they are offered all sorts of lovely opportunities, taken on great school trips, learn musical instruments, get to do poetry festivals, sporting fixtures, read to residents at a local care home, play on a massive beautiful school field every day, make wonderful friends, and have staff who always seem to go above and beyond for the children, then go look round it and see for yourself and don't write it off because of comments here!

I’m also considering both schools, so I’m genuinely interested to hear feedback. That said, I personally believe it’s important for people to be open about their association with a school-not just if they have children currently attending, but also if they work there, have relatives as staff (past or present), or are affiliated with the same church. Transparency helps everyone get a fuller picture and make informed decisions about whether the school is the right fit for their family.

Please be honest with yourself and your affiliations to the school.

Yes

Why?