Babington, Farringtons or St Olave's Prep?

[Tobebythesea]

Looking into reception classes for DD in a couple of years and feel a bit overwhelmed. What made you decide which school?

Why does Babington's have lots of space from year 7 but is full/waiting list before this?

Sorry if this is also a silly question but why is St Olave's twice the price compared to the other 2?

Sorry - St Olave's is actually slightly cheaper!

DD was at Farrington's for pre-reception (3 and a half on half days) until first term if Y3. It gave her a great start. She then moved to a selective school. Farringtons was great but there was a brain drain of the brightest for Y3 and she was left as an outlier and they looked at moving her up a year which we didn't want so we moved. Some at DDs previous school (after Farringtons ) were at Babington to start with and then if bright moved when a place became available at another school. Some went the other way if struggling in a selective environment. I think Babington doesn't / didn't have a sixth form either? You will find some of the local boys schools only start at Y3 so a good number will leave then for the more selective schools. DD is now at a local grammar and loving it. Bromley High put on an extra Y7 class this year as they didn't have many stay onto sixth form so probably took some of the Y7s away from Babington.

May I ask where your DD went to from Y3?

Bromley High. It was OK but just didn't suit DD. She was very glad to leave. It is probably great for some girls, just didn't suit my daughter, she wasn't stretched and some of the girls made her life rather unpleasant.

Thank you for your advice.

I go past that school everyday and thought it was a secondary school only. I'll investigate!

A big selling point for the junior school has traditionally been an automatic pass to the senior school without having to sit the selection test. However for those who've been at the school from reception staying onto sixth form in an all girl environment is often not what they want, they are ready for a change and so they often leave, to the extent that poor stay on rates in sixth form in Sept 16 was compensated for by an extra class in Y7.

Tobebythesea - have you considered Breaside prep on Orchard Rd, Bromley which is very close to Bromley High? It's a co-ed indie which takes from 2 1/2 years until 11. They teach towards senior grammars/indies and have very good results.

I'm totally new to this so I'm definitely up to suggestions. I'll look it up. Thank you.