Help for choosing schools: St Mary, Northbridge House, or Devonshire

[thevonster]

Hi, I just received a mail from North bridge House Pre-prep school offering a place for my daughter. (she will be 4,5 years old next year when she enter the reception). I will have to pay a deposit by this October to secure the spot. At the moment, my husband prefers her to be send to St Mary or Devonshire school. His list is: 1. Devonshire, 2. St Mary School, 3. North Bridge House. However, i actually prefer North bridge then the others. can anyone please let me know which one should be the best school? Devonshire has an assessment, which will be January next year. So if I don't pay for northbridge before this Oct, she will loose her spot. I don't want to risk it, just in case she doesn't get a spot in Devonshire or St Mary. And not sure why hubby is a big fan of St Mary.. I dont think St Mary is that academic? and we still havent heard any news from them. Please can you help... I am so confused.. Thank you so much!!!

I've heard good things about all 3 schools. If North Bridge is your preferred choice, then I wouldn't risk loosing the place especially if the other schools are not guaranteed. In your shoes, I would pay the deposit to secure the space, and still sit do the assessment for Devonshire next year. At least then you will have the choice if she is offered a place.

Ok, this is based on what friends say, not personal experience. I have heard good things about St. Mary. I think it is academically fairly sound. They get kids into good secondaries. Northbridge is an unknown quantity academically because it's a growing school and is getting more ambitious I think; friends DC are fairly happy there. The secondary school historically is not very academic. Devonshire reputation is a bit precious but that's only hearsay really. My choices would be 1. St. Mary, 2. Northbridge, 3. Devonshire. And unfortunately, I think I would advise paying for Northbridge to secure the place. Especially if your gut feel is that you like it best. You could also ring St. Mary's and find out where you stand.

Thank you for replying. I just saw bad reviews about North bridge school back in Feb 2015 about too many changes in management which impacted the school. and one of the mom ended up taking her son out of the junior prep. that sounds just dreadful. Now I hear people said St Mary is better. I think my gut tells me to go to St Mary, but havent heard any news. I better call them up and ask. Anyone out there who has their children in North Bridge on Junior Prep? (4.5years+). please let me know your thoughts!! thanks!!!

thank you richteaplease. i am just so confused, the deposit is very very expensive to us. and just heard bad reviews about North Bridge. No news yet from St Mary. Devonshire assesment is very hard i heard, and not till next year. Didnt think choosing a school will cause so much stress. thank you for your post.

Hi if this is your only choice, and you're due to start next Sept already, then you' actually in a pretty risky position, in my view. I would rather pay a deposit to secure a place. NBH is not a bad school at all. It's quite big, a little hectic, and definitely a lot of fun for little ones. Devonshire is complete opposite in all respects, including fun (or at least I heard so). St. Mary's is a good place, but will you get a place? I wouldn't go all-in on that.
Calling St.Mary's and discussing it openly with them may be a good idea before you cough up the deposit

Thank you all for your help. I will call St Mary and decide what to do next. thanks again!!