Education minefield - preparatory schools

[Gus1]

Hi

Not sure where best to post this. Posted the same on the general Education topic. So forgive me if I am not doing this correctly.

My question?:

Do any of you know how good the independent schools are in Redbridge? I am considering them at the preparatory stage. However, it is hard to figure which one is better value for money. I am thinking about Normanhurst, Avon House, Forest, and Snaresbrook. This is all very new to me and quite a minefield.

Any advice or websites you think would help me make an informed comparison (and hopefully a wise choice)? By the way I have visited them.

I don't think it's possible to assess "value for money" in this context, unless you have one specific outcome in mind.

If you're paying for education as a journey, then the only thing that matters is affordability, because there wil be many things along the way.

But if you want preparation for a specific secondary school (or schools) - for that is probably the only measureable output for a prep, then you need to look at the leavers destination lists for the last few years and see how many they send there. Also look for formal or semi-formal feeder links (ask school) and how many parents are happy their DC got into first choice of secondary (ask around).

Thanks Edith. Very useful and sensible advice.

Asking around would be good but I have no one to ask. I am relatively new in the area and do not have anyone I could turn to about this. I looked at the website and leavers destination and they vary so much from year to year across the ones I am interested in. I may need to do a more forensic exercise rather than the eyeballing that I did.

I must confess that I hate this business of looking for the "right" school. Very complicated and draining.

Edith, I should have mentioned that I am thinking value for money in terms of:

(1) "good reputation" (ie which one has the better reputation for the well-being/school happiness of the child and also academic progression); and

(2) Destination (ie, getting into one of the top secondary schools).

It be worth asking on the MN local board, or starting another thread specifying the area you are asking about.

One thing to remember in trying to sort out destination schools is that they do vary year on year, but if you look at the proportion to academic/sporty/boarding etc each year, you'll get some sort of idea of what they prepare best for.

Though of course, like financial products, past performance is not necessarily in indicator of future return. But if you're reasonably sure the head is sticking around, there shouldn't be too much change.