Pre prep/prep schools

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DS currently in year one at village primary but it’s not going brilliantly despite our best efforts so deciding ideally to move him for year two. Spaces probably at king’s and Stephen Perse Foundation. Opinions on these? Haven’t heard yet from the perse. No space at St. John’s until year three. He’s musical and very bright. Not very sporty (although enthusiastic). We’re not wealthy - small semi in a village and three children under 6. Both academic (oxbridge) backgrounds and now dh a poorly paid software engineer (a PhD and two post docs in physics) and I tutor privately when not looking after children (mostly common entrance and gcse so I’m aware of the system)

Hi, my DS - Year 7 - is very musical, bright and also not very sporty.

Until Year 5 we were at Pre Prep and Prep at St Faith's. We were reasonably satisfied with Pre Prep there but not at all happy with the Prep school. Overall, I'd say it's not a good choice for a child who isn't esp sporty. Music is quite good there but he's had more opportunities to develop his musical interests since we left than he did whilst there. Whilst at primary school, some of those were made via private music tuition options and holiday clubs, although, now he is at secondary school there is plenty of music in school for him.

Stephen Perse has a good reputation for pastoral care these days, likewise King's. Music is very good at King's, as one might imagine. Stephen Perse very good for the quirky child, which mine definitely is.

One thing I will say I think is better in the state sector is 'help' in almost any form relating to emotions. Our experience of pastoral care and sympathetic handling at primary and secondary level simply isn't in the same league as the judgemental nonsense we experienced in the private sector. All schools - whether state or private - are different though, so it may just be we got lucky after suffering the purgatory of the Prep School.

If any SENCO or Learning Support is needed, I would say the state sector is best. Simply because it's ultimately more about how one uses Learning Support resources and views the concept than it is about finances. I'm not assuming you need this, but it's my observation this is an area linking into pastoral care and the ethos is very joined up in our experience of the state sector.

Thank you. No senco. He mostly finds hard the lack of academic stimulation and large class sizes at school (meaning bright children are more of less left on their own). He would thrive in an academic environment where there is good discipline and structure. He has some good friends (mostly the girls), he started a choir in the playground and often runs little projects in class.

Why not try another local primary first? They are all quite different and, depending on where you are, you may have several a short drive away. If you're concerned about money, are you just planning on sending your DS private?

My DS is in year 3 at Kings and we love the school. We are not wealthy by a long way, but do not feel like outcasts here (unlike at many of the other independent schools we went to look at before settling at Kings). It sounds like he'd settle well based on the small amount you've said. If you haven't already, please ask for a visit! We knew instantly that this was the school for our son when we looked around.