Dulwich prep vs Herne Hill for a girl - pls help!!

[DulwichMum1234]

Just that really. Does anyone have experience of one or both at pre-reception? Which one does the best 4+ prep for JAGs and Alleyns? Any help very, very welcome!

[iwantavuvezela]

I think Dulwich Prep is a boys school.

[DulwichMum1234]

They take girls for pre reception only, so would be for 1 year.

[DulwichMum1234]

Anyone had a child at both that can help?

[ItsSnowJokes]

I don't know either school ( I went to Dulwich Hamlet), but it seems ludicrous to put her in a school for a year and then move her again. Find a school that does all the way through.

[DulwichMum1234]

Thanks. That’s my thinking too but I figured it might be worth the hassle for one year if after that she gets in somewhere that goes to 18. But just wondering if DPL is worth it for the prep or of they are the same as the other prep
Schools around here.

[JustTryingouthere]

I'm at HH, excellent school. I know however that I can't rely on just a school to prep for 7+. I will have to do a significant part, along with support from a Tutor. Currently researching now for one to start later in the year.

[SouthLondonMommy]

@DulwichMum1234

Herne Hill is a lovely school and as you know goes to year 2. My daughter attended preschool there and joined Alleyns at 4 for reception. The school prepares for the 7+ rather than the 4+ but lots of children leave for Alleyns at Jags for reception and the school prepares children well for the next stage.

[SouthLondonMommy]

I have friends with sons at Dulwich Prep that attended from preschool. Its a very good preschool as well though very boy heavy given girls have to leave after a year. On balance, I'd choose Herne Hill for a girl but they are both good options.

[Polyethyl]

I went to Dulwich prep as a 4 year old girl for one year (forty years ago) and I sent my daughter to Herne Hill School.

Herne Hill school is simply wonderful. Can't praise it highly enough. My daughter thrived there and the headmistress is very sensible and expert at placing girls in their next schools, we stayed to the end (year 2).

[DulwichMum1234]

Thanks everyone. My post was not super clear, she is already at HHS, so wondering if we move her, so was looking for a DPL view really. Anyway, we have kept her as HHS. Thanks all!

[huilin0319]

Hi, we're facing the same situation. DD currently at HH kindergarten and very happy about everything. However, DP prepares for 4+. So we want to know if it is worth to move her from HH to DP.

[SouthLondonMommy]

@huilin0319 I wouldn't. Plenty of children get into JAGs, Alleyns, Sydenham, etc from HH at the 4+. A high quality preschool is all that's needed, there isn't any additional specific prep. In fact, this year's reception class at Alleyns has 5 children from Herne Hill preschool and none from DPL for context.

[Hernehillmum1234]

@SouthLondonMommy I've been looking at both HH and DPL for my 2 year old son to start at 3+ with a view to it being a stop gap to Alleyn's (the god's willing etc etc). It was really helpful to see your info that 5 starting Alleyns this year were from HH and none from DPL. Do you have any other information as to whether there were other 'feeders' for Alleyns at 4+ ?

Thanks for the info :)

[ConfusedaboutSchool]

@Hernehillmum1234 there were 2 from DUCKs but everyone else was from a wide range of settings including state preschool and standard nurseries not attached to a school.

I think that DPL is a great school by the way and I know children who have gotten into Alleyns from DPL too. No school locally specifically preps for the 4+ though that I'm aware of.

[Hernehillmum1234]

@ConfusedaboutSchool that is really helpful - thank you. It’s relieving to know it’s a broad mix and that there are no tricks to it so to speak!