Whitehorse Manor v Cumnor House v St Davids v Bickley Park Prep

[bubblesey]

Hey there Mums, I'm new on here but have spent the past few months lurking and browsing through threads.

I have a question for any of you with sons who have gone on to Trinity or Whitgift from any of the four schools mentioned (or any others in the area, I know there are a fair few schools on par).

How well do these schools prepare for Whitgift / Trinity? Whitehorse Manor informed me that they have had 2 students go on to Trinity and one go on to Whitgift this year, however, would that be because the parents have received outside of school tuition? Or is Whitehorse Manor on par with the other two? Also how does St David's fair against Cumnor House? I've seen many positive reviews on Cumnor House and it has a good reputation as one of the best prep schools. St David's is smaller and also has had some students go on to Trinity and Whitgift, but also, do they do all the preparation? Or would additional tuition be needed?

In addition which of these schools are more driven by musical capability and academics rather than sports?

Thanks for any advice and information!

bump!

Cumnor House and Bickley Park both prepare boys for Whitgift and Trinity 11+ and 13+. I would suggest that certainly historically Cumnor House hasn't prepared boys for the Sutton grammar schools (which are a term earlier). St David's prepares for Sutton 11+ as well as the local indies (many going for Caterham/Royal Russell as they prefer co-ed). St David's has a new head who is listening to the market, and has introduced Year 5 booster sessions to ensure that all the necessary exam prep is done under the school. That said for those going for grammar schools in particular I know of no child who does not have some form of additional support outside of school whether from tutor or parent.

A very large proportion (over half) of Whitgift and Trinity's intake come from state schools. Again those pupils will have done some additional preparation, usually bond papers or equivalent, but you certainly don't need to have come from a prep school to get in.

Cumnor has a very good music department, provided Cognita don't kill it off at any point. Cumnor are also fairly astute in terms of aiming at music and sports scholarships, which will often have a similar percentage off fees as an academic award.

The schools you mention are spread over quite a distance, and I would urge you to consider what the commute will be like for you, especially if you have any daughters! Also worth visiting each of the schools, as they do all have quite a different feel.

thanks very much for the feedback. My ds is still only 3 but I have hopes of him going to Trinity or Whitgift. Honestly all the schools are within a half an hour drive for me, so not much of a commute no matter which of them I choose.

I am in the process of becoming a teacher, so tutoring my son myself when he is older wont be much of a problem, I just wanted to know how well the schools prepare for those two schools in particular. I'd like it if he got involved in extra curricular activities and clubs also, so of course don't want every minute at home to be study study study.

Thanks also for the information on scholarship possibilities. I plan to introduce my son to piano soon, so yay~