Rosehill Prep school

[Pastatwists]

Please can people share current views. We’re looking for a prep in TW for a year 3 next Sept, but have heard mixed views about this school.
The GSG seems to say good things about it but have also heard that under the new head it’s gone downhill, with parents leaving in droves and only 4 kids remaining in some years, (could it go bust?).
There have also been some nasty things in the papers about it I heard.
Anyone have first hand experience as it seems nice from the visit, lovely grounds and the head is charming but perhaps just telling us what we want to hear ‘numbers are up for next year’ etc.
Be helpful to hear views from ppl who know the school.

Bit late to the party, are you still looking?

NC for this because I like being anonymous on here and don’t want my local area known under my normal name!

Rose Hill is a lovely school, I strongly recommend it. Your reservations aren’t unfounded though but not completely correct - year 7 or 8 is a tiny year group which I think is only 4. Other year groups are fairly standard size for a prep (15ish per class) Not many stay past year 6 in recent years (considering the competition locally with the local grammars and the fact that the majority of independent senior schools now start at year 7 and don’t have an extra y9 intake it’s not surprising. Competition is stiff).

The facilities are really good - pool is lovely and only a few years old, all their productions are in the theatre (tiered seats so everyone can actually see) and are pretty incredible, the prep building is very modern and purpose built. The staff are amazing and it’s a very “all round” school”. The pre prep is a bit tired physically but resource wise and staff wise it’s great,

The bad press was I think an employment thing? It could happen anywhere - not great but Im sure they’ve learnt a lesson from it.

From what I’ve heard there is a bit of an exodus this year but it’s largely a “grass is greener” thing. I don’t know for sure. A lot of prep schools go up and down. I think Holmewood (near by) had problems with numbers a few years back and have managed to pull themselves up. Rose Hill doesn’t have this grand exterior to stand in awe at but it’s got everything you could want on the inside (from my experience anyway). So much land and woodland behind the building that you don’t immediately see.

I would recommend it personally. I don’t know much about the other schools in the area apart from reputation.

Thanks for your comments. The main thing we’re worried about is the financial stability of the school. Some second hand info we heard from someone who works there says it’s possibly on the edge as a result of massive declining numbers in last few years. Another Kent prep went bust a few months ago and it’s such a nightmare for the children and all the families!!

@Pastatwists @tacocatmum
Hi All, We are considering our little one to Rosehill this year, as we have been particularly impressed by their recent ISI Report. We would be interested in your thoughts - whether you have decided on the school/have seen a recent improvement since the last comments made? Many thanks in advance

@tacocatmum thanks for coming back on this. I have seen some bad ISI reports recently, but appreciate that it may all come down to the inspectors on the day.
It is a hard one, as having looked round the school and comparing it to a number of the other privates in the area we were quite impressed. We thought the music, art, drama and maths departments looked fantastic and most of the teachers we met seemed really lovely and passionate about their subjects.
Would really appreciate any tips on other schools you have looked at, especially if you have moved from Rosehill now?
Thanks again

@tacocatmum totally understand and thanks for the insight. If you do have any other information re other schools which consider better in the area it would be really appreciated.
Thanks again