Prep Schools Sevenoaks Area?

[LennieB]

Hi, I moved to Sevenoaks fairly recently and would really appreciate your thoughts and tips on co-ed prep schools? I'm considering Hilden Oaks, Hilden Grange, fosse bank, russell house and st micheals.
I have two DD's one of 2 yrs and one of 4 months.
Thanks

I can offer you a couple of thoughts on travel times because I live in the area but I don't know any of the schools very well. If you're on the north side of Sevenoaks you will have a HELL of a job getting to Tonbridge morning and afternoon. Hilden Oaks and Hilden Grange are on a busyish road and parking is a pain, too. St Michael's might be less hassle to get to.
My mum taught at St Michael's until very recently and was always very positive about the results they achieve, in particular their excellent sports results.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Hilden Oaks is only co-ed in the pre prep dept then its all girls. Reputation locally slipped recently as the number of 11+ passes has apparently been dropping in the past few years (no evidence to offer just local grapevine gossip)

Fosse Bank seems to appeal to parents with more gentle children than Hilden Grange not that HG children are boisterous at all (again just hearsay so feel free to ignore everything I have written)

Would you consider the schools at somerhill? Although technically derwent lodge and yardley court the pre prep is co-ed and there is also beechwood sacred heart on the road into TWells.

The A21 in the mornings isn't too bad if you come off at Hildenborough. The queue for Tonbridge High street usually goes back a long way but more often than not stops short of Dry Hill Pk road where HG and HO are. Parking however as flatpackhamster says is a problem despite the local council painting in spaces.

Sorry for the very belated response but I haven't been on for ages. I have now narrowed it down to either St Michael's Otford or Sevenoaks Prep. I prefer St Micheals but it's at least 20 mins from our house where as Sevenoaks prep is under 10. Do you know much about those two schools and do you think it matters if we have a 20 min drive to st micheals? I'm just concerned it will be logistically didfficult with lay dates with friends.

Hi my dd goes to sev prep. I think it's a great school and she is extremely happy there. Our travel time is 15 Mins and this does not pose a problem with play dates etc. Lots of children have longer journeys. I think St Michaels ans SP are very similar in their ethos's so it's down to personal choice. I had my D's name down as a baby at HG Fosse Bank St Michaels and SP as I wasn't sure until she was 2 which school would suit her the best. I will say that SP is fully subscribed for next couple years from nursery up so if your name is not down yet, you may end up on the waiting list

Similar situation. Recently moved and thinking about boys prep schools in Sevenoaks. Have heard lots about new beacon, probably because it big. Aldo thinking about Solefield because I like the sound of the cosy feel. Anyone have any experience of these schools please

MummyMoss1 did you have any joy with your school places. I have three - soon to be four in Fosse Bank, Hildenborough. My kids all absolutely love the school. I travel from Sevenoaks and its about 15 minutes and has loads of parking. You can leave your car there and travel into London using Hildenborough Station. HTH.

Hi all

I am in a similar position. Will be moving to Tonbridge area shortly, and are looking for a prep school for my dd. I can see that there are quite a few in the area (TW-T-Sevenoaks).

We were considering HG. Toughasoldboots, could I ask why you took your boy out of HG recently?

Hilden Oaks not great academically. Year 5 especially. Maths teaching sub state standards by far.