Tooting, Balham (Wandsworth) Prep Vs State (Primary 2012) - DILEMMA!!!

[SheRa1980]

Have 2 young boys and seen a few state and prep schools but having trouble deciding. When I say "having trouble", what I actually mean is i'm experiencing anxiety induced insomnia and haven't slept a peaceful 3hrs straight in 2 years! Just want to get it right - academically and socially!

May sound extreme but your help/advice/reviews/suggestions will not just be appreciated but are greatly required!

News of the state education system in the headlines again today and though I know it can and does work for many (did for DH and myself), I have this feeling that not being proactive about this would be the equivalent of gambling/experimenting with the boys' futures. DH (and I) run a youth group in South London and constantly see wasted potential, lack of ambition, drive often perpetuated by lack of engagement by teachers, lack of expectation from society and the resulting nonchalant attitude by young people that feeds a vicious cycle-

To the point, we are a young (ish) black-british family with 2 young boys seriously considering prep school. I've seen a thread on here from January that mentions some but there are others i've seen that i'd love your opinion on.

Anyone in the area that has a review to offer up would be great. We are on the (huge) waiting list for Hornsby House however I want to make sure that we have a balanced environment for the boys. We are not dripping in money and would rather avoid the added social pressures that come from being the "poorest kids in the school", or "the only non-white children". I also want to avoid them being 2 of 30 mainly non-white kids in a class, getting lost and overlooked. Statistics currently perpetuate that black boys are at the bottom of the academic achievement tables and i've heard horror stories where (underpaid/overworked/under-empowered) state school teachers latch onto this and stop trying with this particular group.

Based on this summary of my neurosis, does anyone have any recommendations? I start a new (full time) job in Jan in St. James's Park (going from Tooting Bec) and will be doing the school run.

Any experiences of advice on the following would be great:
-Bertrum House (Balham High Road)
-Eveline Day (just moved to Balham High Road, same owners as Seeley Hall)
-The Dolphin
-Rosemead (Dulwich)

and any others you've had poignant expereinces with - state or private.

Thanks in advance!

The vast majority of state schools in the area are pretty good and in many cases are improving more all the time. Examples that might be near you are ravenstone, fircroft, alderbrook, broad water (DD is there and I am very happy with it so far and her experiences compare well with friend's daughter at HH) Might be worth taking a look and saving your money...

Again guys,

Thank you all for the advice. We have 2 places at EDS and watching the state decisions in April. Fingers criss-crossed that whatever decision we take will be the best for the boys!!

x

Hi Have tutored children to get into many of above schools (and also while in self-same schools). General view is that all these small private schools can offer better resources, a knder environment and make it easier to progress to excellent state and independent schools, but there are some brilliant state primaries, too. If it is a question of saving up, go for a good state primary with extra coaching on the side for 10+/11+: if money is not an issue, move them into a smaller high-achieving private school- but one with a social mix that you think they will enjoy.

Good luck,

Jane

Hi Shera - I know this was years ago but I am just posting to find out if you went with Eveline in the end and how your boys were getting on? we are looking into options at the moment and the feedback would be useful thanks