Best prep in NW London

[jyot]

Hi everyone hoping for some advice. I plan on applying for NLCS and Habs for DD at 4+ but entry for these schools is highly competetive... i've heard 200 apply for 40 places!!! If dd is not accepted what would be the next best prep option in my area? I've looked at Radlett prep, alpha prep, st helens and a few others but have no idea of their reputation. Ideally i would want a school that would give dd best chance of entering NLCS or Habs at 7+ or 11+. Thanks

We had a daughter at each of Habs and NLCS right the way through to age 18 and there were more similarities than differences and we loved both schools. Didn't therefore have to consider alternatives but if you want a child prepared for exams at 7+ then you need to pick a school which prepares them fomr 7+ exams ideally. Also whatever preparation some children just won't get in and they may not be the right schools for them.

(By the way no pushing at all. It's usually those whose children are not bright enough for academic schools or were tutored too much to get in who think the schools are awful and pushy. Instead we found the schools trying to ensure the girls take time off, have hobbies etc etc)

My DS has just been offered a reception (4+ entry) place at St. Martin's, Northwood and Northwood Prep and I am really struggling picking one of the two. I would highly appreciate if anyone has any views or suggestions for me to help me make this decision.

My DD is at Manor Lodge. The admission process was fine but probably, like other schools, it tries to get the mix of children/parents that it is best working with (so it cannot publish "admission" criteria).

We also visited Holland House (not enough sports for DD, but it seemed good academically) and Radlett prep (seemed too tight class rooms, met eccentric owner as in ISI report, children take packed lunches). On the plus side, it sends children to a very wide range of great schools and not just focused on academics, since sports are good as well.

Manor Lodge is smaller than Radlett Prep but the parents apply and get offers in the same top schools as well (ML parents are from a very wide area but are centered in Radlett, so Sec schools goals tend to be around that area, St Albans and Northwood). Very good mix that is representative of the area, excellent cooked dinners, lots of open space, and a true partnership with parents (there is a fundamental difference in that ML is not privately owned).

Radlett prep gets almost as many offers to Habs as Manor Lodge does (considering relative sizes) but more are actually taken given where the families live. I would not be concerned since both have large groups going there.

Hello, I have registered my son at Orley Farm for entry in September (Reception). I paid the deposit then unexpected circumstances occurred and I have to withdraw him. I am asked by the school to pay a full term fee as penalty for missing the deadline of withdrawing, unless they find an alternative child to take his place by mid July. Any advice? Can I help the school search somewhere for parents who would like to use that space?

No I dint think you can 'help' the school find a replacement child. You'll just have to hope they do and actually be appreciative of the fact that if they do, they won't charge you the term of fees because most schools would charge you regardless - it is a very standard contract clause.

See it from the school angle - if your child doesn't go and everyone has made their choices of school now (it is nearly June) thry coukd have an empty seat in that class for 7 years - that's a lot if fees to lose out on - so a term of fees isn't nearly so bad and designed to stop people accepting multiple places thry can't actually attend. You e I ciousky had a change if circumstance but most parents would say that was the case if they thought it would save them the term of fees, so the rule has to apply to all. Think of it as saving you money in the long run as you won't be paying fees.

All you can do is write to the school again stressing how disappointed you are not to be able to take up the place and giving some detail of your circumstance change to hope they take some kind of pity on you, and also accepting in writing your obligation but stressing how grateful you will be if they find a replacement child which will relieve you of the financial burden to pay. The more co-operative and polite you can be the more chance of a favourable outcome I'd say, but you need to accept you are likely to need to pay.

I'd work on the basis that you WILL need to pay. You knew the terms and conditions and agreed to them. Schools have to enforce them to prevent people accepting multiple place and vanishing atbthisnpoint or later. So now you face the reality of the situation.

Remain positive and helpful to the school. Your circumstances may later change and you may want to take up a place. Accept you are financially committed - they aren't doing something mean and unfair to you. It's just unfortunate and really before you make a commitment and sign a contract like this you should be sure you have a term of fees accessible in case this happens.

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I know this is a truly ancient zombie thread but the OP seems so quaint:
i've heard 200 apply for 40 places!!!

hehe what is the ratio these days - 400 for 40?