which east sussex prep school?

[idp1]

we're trying to decide on which school is best for our children, and feel like we're spinning in circles. We are looking at Vinehall, St Ronans, Claremont and Marlborough House. Our preference was VH, but we have concerns that the school has diminished over recent years and does not challenge the children academically. We also understand there are more leavers than joiners. Does anyone have any inside insight they can offer ? We really don't want to have to move 2 years down the line. Thoughts on all the schools from anyone with actual exposure would be greatly appreciated.

Hi. Just seen your post and feel as a Vinehall parent I should respond to your concerns.

In simple terms, the school is superb and has come through a tricky patch where the old headmaster of twenty years retired and was replaced by a female head and things did go downhill. She left about three or four years ago, and the new headmaster has worked hard to get things back to where they were before. I personally think it is very much getting there and has returned to the lovely family school it was before.

My children have loved it. Lots to do and lots to be good at whether you are sporty, arty or musical. The performing arts are truly incredible.

Academically, I think it is as good as anywhere else locally if not better. What are the alternatives? MH - new head, and from what I have heard he is a bit like Marmite, St Ronan's - great if you want your children to be muddy and wear tweed but not progress much academically, and Claremont if you want to get a deal. Word on the street is everyone is offered some form of discount and that may appeal to you, but frankly the adverts everywhere are not to everyone's taste.

Also depends where you want to send your children afterwards. We chose Vinehall because we think they are by far the best for the getting every child into all the best senior schools. The others in Hawkhurst are fine for Cranbrook, but what else?

Final tip - go and look at all of them and meet the heads!

Hope this helps.

Hi,
Our dd goes to Claremont and we love it. Not everyone gets a discount but they do offer scholarships at the end of year 6. The new senior school at the Bodiam site is going from strength to strength and the appeal for us is that the school takes children from nursery - 6th form. And do go and meet the Heads - both Head of prep and Head of senior are fantastic, in our opinion. Good luck!

Bump

Marlborough House 2013 leavers destination schools were: Benenden, Claremont, Cranbrook Eastbourne College, Eton, Kent College, King’s Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Sutton Valence, Tonbridge. Scholarships to King's, Tonbridge and Harrow over the last 2 years.
Vinehall on the other hand sent a quarter of 2013 leavers to Eastbourne and Cranbrook. Just to dispute that the Hawkhurst preps are 'fine for Cranbrook but what else?' Marlborough House usually tops most parents prep school choice, evidenced by the waiting list for most year groups.