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Original poster

Prep schools

30 replies

world · 16/04/2014 22:04

Hi, we are looking to move house to anywhere in the country due to flexibility of work and we are looking for a prep school 7-13 which is not a hot house for top schools/results.

We would prefer a school which is small (around 100/120ish kids) and places emphasis on doing outdoorsy things, kids making their own games, lots of sport, children being children rather than spoon fed for the exams. Quite a traditional prep school really.
Obviously we want our kids to learn the usual stuff and Latin would be a good addition but we would be happy with a small family prep that nurtures each and every child for who they are.

All suggestions welcomed. Experiences and explanations if possible (just to help with shortlisting)

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Original poster
world · 16/04/2014 22:14

Just forgot to mention, the schools do not have to be exclusively 7-13, just any prep school that ends at 13.
Thank you :)

OP posts:
TaDaaah · 16/04/2014 22:23

Edge Grove School (Herts.) is lovely - but larger than that.

scarlettsmummy2 · 16/04/2014 22:26

Cargilfield in Edinburgh is supposedly good!

Katiebeau · 16/04/2014 22:42

Check out Heathmount east Herts. Prep get den building in the woods.

meditrina · 16/04/2014 22:52

Well, a traditional prep school prepares for Common Entry, and so probably isn't what you are looking for.

Outdoorsy, doing own thing - probably Dunhurst.

Original poster
world · 16/04/2014 22:57

Well maybe not too traditional in style and substance then - certainly looking for traditional values :)
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Going to have a really good look at them all.

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Bonsoir · 16/04/2014 22:59

There are lots of nice country preps in West Kent that prepare DC for grammar as well as selective and non-selective secondaries.

manicinsomniac · 17/04/2014 00:57

Lots around the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire area would fit that description.

Swanbourne House
Winchester House
Ashfold
Beachborough

Don't think any of those are academically selective (certainly aren't hot houses) and, though they are a bit bigger than you've said, they're traditional values, healthy outdoor living and a good old fashioned disregard for Health and Safety to the core!

Also, in other areas, there's Windlesham which, although I think it might be quite large, seems completely idyllic

Cheam is nice but think it finishes at 11

Bonsoir · 17/04/2014 08:13

I'm not sure that tiny prep schools (100 or so DC) are viable these days. All the country preps I know do 3-13 with minimum 40 DC per year group.

hardestdecisionever · 17/04/2014 10:31

Merton Court Prep school in Sidcup is outstanding. Our son has been there for 2 years and has absolutely flourished, would not recognise him now from the person he was 2 years ago when he left state school. Family run prep school that nurtures every child, think the headteacher knows every childs name even though there are 40 max per year group. Only goes to 11 though.

Pythonesque · 17/04/2014 12:24

My son's at a single form prep and I agree there are limitations as a result of the small size, particularly with respect to sport. Not a problem for us as it's a choirschool and he's not sporty!

If music is of any interest to you though, you could do worse than looking at some of the cathedral choirschools. My eldest is at Salisbury and they do seem to cater for a fair academic range while nurturing both music and sports. Realities of other local schools does influence the proportion of girls to boys and there is change-around in year 7 due to grammars; but with 8-10 choristers in each year there is a core that will always stay through to year 8. I've heard good things about some of the other co-ed choirschools.

Original poster
world · 17/04/2014 13:38

Been doing a bit of digging and found moffats school www.moffats.co.uk/
does anyone have any experience/knowledge of this school?
Thanks manicinsomniac your list of schools was very helpful

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Stokey · 17/04/2014 13:41

Windlesham House in west Sussex is lovely - very relaxed atmosphere and run by a family.

It os a bit bigger than what you are looking for though and boarding.

HanSolo · 17/04/2014 13:51

Oddly, moffats is the one I was going to suggest!
I would be worried about viability though, single family-owned, and these are somewhat austere times. It is awfully small.

It seemed a bit too 'Christopher Robin' to us.

HanSolo · 17/04/2014 14:10

You don't say whether you've boys or girls... hmmm.

Repton is good for sport.
Sedbergh sounds right up yoour street, and a heavenly part of UK to live if you don't want them to board.
If you like moffats, have a look at Prestfelde (also in shrops.)

Original poster
world · 17/04/2014 16:12

What do you mean by a but too "Christopher Robin" HanSolo?

and we have 2DS and 1DD all under 9.

We would prefer a coed school but can adapt if needs be.

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Dancingqueen17 · 17/04/2014 18:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Martorana · 17/04/2014 18:15

Do think carefully about the tiny school thing- it's not an unmixed blessing. There is a tiny prep near us very like the sort of thing you're looking for, and it can go badly wrong. One of dd's friends had an utterly miserable couple of years when she fell out with all 3 of the other girls in her form, and a Queen bee kept the feud going until they left.......

ChocolateWombat · 17/04/2014 18:20

Yes, agree that schools can be too small.
One form entry can mean less chance for sports teams, setting according to ability (as only 1 teacher in year group) and for friendships.
Bear in mind that small year groups with 1 small form can have an imbalance between boys and girls and you can end up in a class of 11 or 12 with only 3 or 4 being your sex. Not ideal and pretty limiting.

Very small can also mean the school finances can easily be rocked by small numbers leaving.

Personally I'd want 40 plus per year.

melrose87 · 17/04/2014 18:57

King's School Rochester is a nice school in Kent with most of the things you're looking for. They are very nurturing and there are opportunities for children to take part in sport and drama. Staff are friendly and Rochester is lovely, very historic.

HanSolo · 17/04/2014 19:00

I'd also be dubious about 1 school suiting 3 different children tbh.

Original poster
world · 17/04/2014 21:57

I know that one schools doesn't necessarily fit all. We are just looking for a nice prep for DS1, the other 2 are still at infants/haven't started school so will look for them in the future. Although will probably be another local prep or the same one if it suites my DCs.

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Original poster
world · 17/04/2014 22:03

Plus we are looking at preps mainly for DS1 as we think a prep would suite him better, other DCs are doing fine in state infants/nursery for now and we are going to continue with this when we move unless it doesn't work out.

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HanSolo · 18/04/2014 01:07

SIOB!

Send one fee-paying, and the other 2 state?

Or do you mean naice village school until 9 for them, then switch to prep?

manicinsomniac · 18/04/2014 03:28

Bit aggressive HanSolo?

Loads of our children have siblings in state sector - many of those are younger and will come to us when their parents decide to move them but some are older and will stay in state - it may be because they are thriving and the child in private wasn't or for any number of other reasons.