Ursuline Prep - it's the right call, isn't it?

[designerbaby]

Having not got a place at any of our three state choices (we didn't expect to, really) I think we're going to be sending our DD1 (and subsequently DD2) to Ursuline Prep.

It seems like the right call - it felt friendly, intimate, girls seem to go on to good secondaries, it's 10-15 minutes walk from home... I liked the head and staff I met a lot, DD2 can join the nursery there for full school days from age 3 which makes my working life a hell of a lot more practical...

Last minute wobble, really. There's a chance we might get a spot at the Study, but it's more money and a lot further away... It was lovely tho'.

It's just a LOT of money, (x 7 years x 2 girls!) I want to be sure it's the right decision...

Feedback/experiences appreciated...

Wobble wobble...

db
xx

p.s. Anyone know what the deal is with girls transferring to Ursuline High afterwards? We're not Catholic (practicing CofE) but does attending the Prep get you in regardless?

Hi DB, I can't help you with this, no girls, and really don't know anything about the school, although it looks fantastic, but I think it's really normal to have a bit of a last minute wobble.

I think if you've done your research, it feels right and it suits your child(ren) and your work life, then there's not much more to consider.

Only issue I could see is if you have a boy in the future?!!

If the state choice really isn't appropriate the only choice you have is to pay.
It's not the way it should be, it's very unfair.

Hi again DB I can't really help with your wobbles, as I have friends whose girls go to the Study and they also love it! I think they are both good schools really, and you won't be making a mistake sending your DDs to either.

Unfortunately I don't think your DDs would get into Ursuline High just because they've attended the Prep - the criteria are on their website here, and having attended the Prep does not figure. Bit odd this. You could give them a call to find out how many students they admitted last year under each criterion (though this is bound to change a lot in the next 7 years!).

The Prep is not connected to the secondary school, as one is private, the other is state.
In 2010 and 2011 apparently no non Catholics were admitted, I don't know the numbers for 2012.
I know several families who have sent their dds to Ursuline Prep whilst waiting for a place to come up at their preferred state primary. So that's possibly an option for you but also something to watch out for, as classmates will suddenly disappear when their slot comes up elsewhere. I wonder if the older classes are emptier because of this.

The journey to the Study is a nightmare in rush hour, and then you might end up with the problem of having your dds on 2 different sites for some time. I don't know how they work around that - do they offer a bus from one site to the other for siblings?

I think they do Wimbledonian... Think they ship the older ones to the younger ones... or it might be the other way around ...

I'm not underestimating the impact of the commute vs. a walk to school. I was just a bit seduced by the glossiness of the Study if I'm honest, and was VERY impressed by the standard of work on the walls...

But Ursuline had a certain intangible SOMETHING which I just liked, despite being a bit scruffy around the edges. I think the scruffiness may improve with the new head though, as she's ex Study...

db
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Hi there we have just put DD names down for Ursuline preop. We looked at the Study and Wimbledon High.

DD is shy and Ursuline appealed because of the pastoral care and smaller classes than the other two. I liked the less-polished look which sounds weird but it somehow homely and comforting.

The Study looks like a lovely school but I felt that we wouldn't fit in as a family - it seemed a bit too villagey and horsey-mum for us and the drop off looked horrendous. They do offer a after-school care thingy for those with sisters in the older school.

Wimbledon high would be perfect location wise for us but I was really put off by their attitude. On a viewing day we had hardly any contact withthe staff and were led round by rather precocious year 6 girls. There is also the selection issue that was off-putting.

Sorry Wobbly - I missed your reply!

I'm with you completely on the Study - I liked it very much, but it was very polished and village-y and I wonder if we'd fit as a family! The admission's secretary has gone very quiet, so I'm thinking we're a way down the wait list anyway.

I was very keen on Wimbledon High initially (I went to a sister school from 11+) but DD didn't get through the selection. She's a bright little thing, but it's ridiculously competitive and she didn't seem very comfortable before or after - I can fully imagine her sitting wide-eyed and silent throughout the whole thing!

To be honest, I didn't like the selection process very much either. Lots of very tense mums and equally tense girls in a very tense waiting room. And how on earth they can tell after 40 minutes I don't know! Guess they have to do it somehow though, and one supposes they know what they're looking for. Not sure DD1 would have thrived if the atmosphere is as pressured afterwards...

We'll see if she turns out to be academic or not, and then reconsider it at 11+.

And yes, the nurturing environment and the fact we'll be able to walk there are both big plusses! The scruffiness still bothers me a bit, but it is just me being shallow, and maybe the new head will knock it into shape! Until then I'll just get over myself!

Maybe I'll see you at the school gate in a year or so then!

Thanks for taking the time to reply, sorry for missing it!

db
xx