St Mary's Primary School or Stephen Perse (City)

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St Mary's Primary School or Stephen Perse (City)

Dear friends,

I am looking for a primary school for my daughter for pre-prep schools. I have read some posts comparing them, but they are quite out of date. I wonder what are your thoughts?

I want her to be a happy loving confident girl who can have an outstanding academic capacity and all-rounder soft-skills as well.

Thank you...
MaryO

St Mary's Primary School or Stephen Perse (City)

Both those schools are great, although you might investigate your local catchment primary.

We attended St Faith's until a year into the Prep. We felt when we left that the Pre-Prep was ok but the Prep not so much. In retrospect the ethos wasn't actually very good and the school placed too much emphasis on sport, sport and sport in the early part of the Prep.

I agree with the poster above that you should look at your local state school.

My children are older but I had one at each of the senior schools linked to these prep schools. I would go and look round as they are quite different in atmosphere. Both have their strengths (and weaknesses) but I am sure it will be clear to you which one you prefer. I know I sound like I am avoiding the question but really if you go round during the school day I am sure you will prefer the feel of one.

I would also echo the recommendation to look at your local primary (or primaries). Cambridge schools are great, and any little extras they don't offer, that an independent school might, can be done out of school in a city as large and culturally stimulating as Cambridge. If you're sold on the independent route you can make that choice at 7+, 11+, 13+ etc, but if you're talking about pre-prep I can't see that there's much to be gained by paying for it.