What is Broadhurst Pre-Prep like Nowadays?

[WestLondonMummyToBe]

I know it used to be the place where you needed to get your name down by 12 weeks latest. Although I’m aware it’s changed management since then. Does anyone have recent experience? Do I really need to register that early still?

Thanks

[preppingforlife]

I got an email from them saying they still have places for September so I guess less necessary these days? Dunno

[WestLondonMummyToBe]

Oooh that’s good to know. Thank you.

[preppingforlife]

They have hired a company to do wraparound care now. So better for working parents. Despite their results we are still deeply sceptical of it (following stories from parents who had dc there and meeting mgmt). Outdoor space v limited, meals are not cooked onsite but rather delivered by a company, when we visited the focus on drilling phonics was borderline scary for such young children.

[BubbleTe]

@WestLondonMummyToBe i’m a parent of a DC at Broadhurst and we like it although there are things to improve on like transparency with the fees (everything like food and wraparound care is an add-on). Our DC loves attending every day, often asking to return during the holidays. However, I would say some of the class sizes are big (20 kids) so if you expect a very small class, that might not be the case.

I don’t agree with the comment that their method of teaching phonics is scary - last year they sang Jolly Phonics songs and this year, we do a bit of practise at home every day. But my DC is starting to learn to read now and DC is really proud of that. I’ve done tours of both state and independent schools for Reception and many of them use the same system for teaching phonics.

It is not as exclusive as before - you certainly don’t need to register before birth or shortly after birth either.

Happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

The garden and play area are not big, but that’s the same problem for many independent schools in the area like SHHS and UCS.

[Pinkring]

I was browsing Broadhurst destination schools and noticed there are less students in the last two years compared to earlier years (eg 37 in 2023 compared to 46 in 2021) - is there any reason for the drop in student numbers?

https://www.broadhurstschool.com/about-us/destination-schools/

[preppingforlife]

Probably Covid related?

[BubbleTe]

probably a mix of Covid (families moving back abroad) and the likes of Sarum Hall and Arnold House offering the 3+ which I know they are not happy about.

[WestLondonMummyToBe]

Yes my first thought was the earlier entry at Arnold House now as Broadhurst used to send quite a number of boys there.

[mamasrainbow]

Current parent at broadhurst. We were very torn between ivy school(st Anthony girls) and Broadhurst when joining the pre nursery but glad DC is very happy and well prepared for the 4+ at the Broadhurst.
Outdoor space small ( you need to add on more physical activities yourself)

Good, V&me is good and healthy but yes it is a takeaway like meal.

First year the class size are small, some are 6 or 8 only.