Westbury House or The Study in New Malden

[Pat15]

Hi,
We are thinking of moving DD 5 years to a prep school from state primary. Considering Westbury House Prep school and The Study School both based in new Malden. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of either of these two schools please? Thank you.

Don't know west bury but The Study have good academic reputation and are quite small. Lots of extremely wealthy families which may or may not appeal to you! good standard of music and sport and lovely location.

Neither are 'prep' schools in the traditional sense as both are 3-11. So you'd be moving her for 1 maybe 2 years. Why? Is she at a state school in the area? What has suddenly made you consider moving?

I think the previous poster might be thinking of the study prep in Wmbledon. The school in NM is not as far as I know full of wealthy parents. A friend sent her daughter there and she says that was not the case.

Both are very small. You really need to go and see for youself. Westbury house is not as diverse I don't think and friends who looked at it had the impression it is a hot house for parents desperate to get their child into grammars.

Oops green munchkin you are right. Definitely thinking of The Study up near Cannizzaro Park.
Sorry!

That's not to say parents at the (unaffiliated to the one in Wimbledon) school in NM aren't wealthy but as far as my friend's experience there went, it was absolutely not in your face wealth/money waving.

Pat15 - I misread your original post and see you daughter is 5. I initially read it as Y5. I assume she's in YR? Did you get your 1st choice state school? What has gone wrong? I'm interested as we are waiting to hear which school we've got into and it's in that area.

I spoke to a friend who looked at Westbury last year. This may well be a non issue for you but the ethnic mix at the school is very skewed. In a way that other area schools aren't. The mix in itself wasn't an issue as its perfectly normal in many outer London boroughs but more the complete imbalance.

Know a few people who sent dcs to the Study, and they really liked it.
Some classes very small and in yr 6 , can be girl heavy if boys go to Kings etc.

Not much space but they do lots of sport elsewhere.

MY son attend the Study. He was there from Nursery but I looked extensively across state and private schools in area visiting and sitting in on classes before I chose to keep him there. Its the best decision I ever made. He is really happy and flourishing. He has friends in every year he plays with, he is challenged to the right level and even from reception they have a choice of diverse clubs from music and football to cookery with the chefs in the kitchen once a week. I think the kids are really well rounded and confident when they leave.

Funny! I was just talking to a friend about these two schools today. She had just been to see them. I can't really pass judgement as I haven't looked into sending my boys private. However, she was of the opinion that Westbury House is a 'hot house' for getting into Tiffins but the Study School seemed nice. She has put her boy's name down for Year 1, which is very full and a large class of 19.

Bit late replying! - I have experience of The Study - it is small and friendly, nurturing. The parents are very 'normal' not obviously wealthy and all in all a calm and happy place

From my personal experience Westbury is fantastic the teachers are very supportive of all abilities and it isn't just for those looking for grammars children go onto St Pauls/Kings/Hampton etc, the best thing for me apartfrom the education was the pastoral care which was/is excellant

The Study is a fantastic, dynamic little school with a bright young Head. Westbury House is more old fashioned.

My grand daughter goes to Westbury House and is very happy there. She can't wait to go there every day...It is fun, has plenty of educational outings, has a caring and committed staff. She has become more outgoing and has developed some delightful manners.

Why pay when there is a perfectly good state school up the road which does much better academically than either school.

I think the best advice is to the visit the schools of interest. It gives you the best insight for your child. Also talk to some of the mums. You will get a first hand accurate picture of the reality of each school.

I've just read the unpleasant comments on this thread posted on Tuesday about The Study School and the fact springs to my mind that there was a family with two sons one of which was suspended quite recently after a disturbing incident....so just wondering if this is a case of sour grapes and hoping they are not on the new school menu!

yes, a bit of a ranty hysterical post there.

I haven't visited The Study yet but Westbury House is a well-rounded school. It seems to have high academic standards but also a diverse curriculum: singing, drama, percussion, lots of art, gym, swimming and games. A very happy place with wonderful children! Also CNED which is great news for French and bilingual pupils.

I am new to mums net, but felt I had to say something about westbury house school. My children have had a wonderful experience at the school. The teachers are caring & kind, the education is of such a high standard, starting at nursery level all the way up. My children feel safe to share their thoughts and ideas, they feel respected and valued. A great start to their school careers!

Hi there
I know his thread is a bit old now but I am looking for parents whose children have been to either The Study in New Malden or Westbury House to find out a bit more about either school and first hand experiences. Thinking of sending DD to either next September but unsure as to which might be better for her. Or if anyone else has any experience of either I would be really grateful. We are new to the area so don't really know many people or much about the place. Many thanks :-)

Hi my two children (daughter 8,son 5) go to Westbury House. Its an amazing school, the teachers are top notch and the head is very approachable. The feeder schools tend to be local grammar schools and LEH, St Pauls and Kings. I have had two nieces and a nephew go to westbury and all got into Tiffin. Overall its a highly regarded school.

Hello Mums.

We would be soon moving to New Malden somewhere close to Study School and Westbury House school. We have recently come to uk and wont be staying beyond 2 years. For past few months kid is attending a state school.

We come from intensive academically focussed country (i mean not as foucssed on general developement but more on maths and science) and hence are worried about how our son would cope up with the gap created on returning, although we are happy that kiddo could get along so well with entirely new friends / country / curriculum / accent etc and would certainly be thankful to state school teacher in helping with it.

However the specific query is whether private school is an answer to the gap created.

I see westbury school rated level 3 which is below the current state school she is in. How would it matter. We are more concerned with getting her maths and science on track.

Amongst westbury and study school what are pros and cons.

Hope to be guided in right spirits.

Rgds.

I'm sure you've already decided but visit both schools, I know Westbury is under new leadership since the recent Ofsted inspection. its best to visit when the children are there as you ge ta better feel for the school.

My daughter is starting Westbury house from tomorrow. we visited both study and westbury and decided to go for Westbury.
Mainly to getting into the grammar or tiffin school.

Hi ALL,

Can I get recent opinions on Study school v Westbury House v Surbiton High school?

Thank you