Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Northwood Prep or St Martins

17 replies

SK22 · 22/11/2013 21:33

Our DS had the 3+ assessments for Northwood prep and St Martins and has been offered a place at both schools. We are really struggling to decide which one to go for, any recommendations?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
jmf294 · 23/11/2013 22:32

My son is at Northwood Prep and has been there for 4 years.
We are delighted with it and he's so happy, working hard, achieving, lovely friends, great facilities.
I like the atmosphere and staff.
I'd go for NP personally.

Original poster
SK22 · 24/11/2013 22:35

Thanks jmf294

OP posts:
Loveulots · 25/11/2013 10:04

They both are very good schools.My son has just started in St Martins.. it has been brilliant.its very difficult to decide between the two, we personally chose St Martins as the class sizes are small compared to Northwood prep and their wrap around care is excellent. Good luck with what ever you choose.

OhFourFiftyNineThirtyFive · 25/11/2013 10:07

DH went to St Martins many years ago (not that helps you - it was just funny to see it mentioned).

We have friends with boys there who are very happy.

Mowgli2011 · 25/11/2013 12:38

Hi SK22....our DS has also been offered a place at both of these schools....we have no idea which one to go for!!

My gut instinct after the open mornings was NP....but favour the facilities (swimming pool for example) at St Martins, also prefer the idea of the kindergarten being at the same site as the main school.

Have you got any further in making a decision??

Original poster
SK22 · 25/11/2013 13:20

Thanks mowgli2011 we have the same preferences listed above but also like the swimming pool etc at St Martins. No where nearer and only a few days left to decide!

OP posts:
Mowgli2011 · 25/11/2013 14:09

Yes i know - need to decide quickly!

how did you feel about the two assessment days? I thought Northwood Prep was a lot more relaxed and my DS felt more comfortable and seemed himself. But i guess you can't read too much into any of that...

Original poster
SK22 · 25/11/2013 14:32

Mowgli2011 I have PM you

OP posts:
mumof2funones · 25/11/2013 17:04

Ladies - I am in a similar place but my son also has a place at st johns.. I am totally torn!
my son was happy (generally a happy kid!) at all three, I preferred the assessment at NP as I didn't have to be in the room! I didn't enjoy stmartins as they kept bringing in boys every 15 mins and then bought in a group of existing nursery boys into the room overwhelming for me at least. St Johns they interviewed me as well.

My son is happy at all.. argh
swimming pool is a bonus at st martins and isi report is brilliant, but sports facilities at stjohns amazing, clearly academically strong, but new head - albeit not new to the school. np seems to be an all round balanced school.. I am totally utterly confused.. any helpful comments outthere?

stikmatix · 25/11/2013 20:30

No direct experience as our son is at a prep school in Pinner, but I know people with boys in all three if the schools and all seem happy with their own choice.
They are all good schools, I'm not sure there is a 'wrong' choice as a lot if it will be the luck of the drawer of what kids are in the year group.

Make the pick o which school best matches what you would like for your child, and is closest to you own family ethos.

On a practical note consider which is the easiest journey as Northwood is vile during pick up and drop off times. If you need before and/or after school care, which school best offers what you need? St John's makes boys wear shorts until 9 or so which you may love or hate (too archaic for my liking!), and Northwood Prep is not automatic to pass from Nursery to Reception, so beware.....

Good luck!

Mumofad · 27/01/2014 23:13

Hi Sk22, mumof2funones,mowgli2011 i am in same boat for 4plus as you were, can i ask which school did you select and why...so confused now..:(

Mumsy68 · 23/04/2014 21:24

Just for info St. Johns and St Martins were listed in London's Top Ten Academic Prep Schools.

RPR4568 · 24/04/2014 08:38

www.bestprepschools.co.uk/League-Tables.asp

northlondoncat · 02/05/2014 22:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KevaKapdeeIsALegend · 24/09/2016 15:44

I went to St Martins, and now I'm in MTS.

MeganBacon · 27/09/2016 19:17

We chose NP four years ago based on academics (they were all great but from what I could tell, NP had marginally the highest number of scholarships per pupil) and proximity to the tube, so ds could travel on his own, which he absolutely loved doing, from age 10. Also, NP is now MTS prep (but wasn't when we chose) and they will transition at 11 to the main school, whereas I think St. Johns and St. Martins will still go to 13+. So I think that has implications about what main school you want him to attend.
Facilities at NP are great - they use the swimming pool at MTS.
I don't know the new head at NP - but I think liking the head is key to choosing the school.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread