Eaton House Belgravia vs. Norland Place vs. Hill House

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DS has a definite place at these three schools. Any advice on which one to go for would be much appreciated. We are keen to send him to Westminster Under or Colet Court.

One additional concern I have is that all these schools are around Knightsbridge / Notting Hill where it's nearly impossible to afford a house with green space. Are there any good feeder schools south of the river that are in a (relatively) more affordable area that would prepare DS well for 7+ exams?

Merlin School in Putney- consistently good results at 7 and 8

Also EHB is now opening a prep and has a new nursery year starting at 3 - so maybe a safe bet to allow more tries for these schools at 7,8 and 11. Would be anice easy commute from Putney, Chiswick etc

Hi OP

Here is some information on feeder schools to St Paul's at 7 and 13.

This might also be useful.

I don't recall any hill house boys arriving at WUS. I suppose there must be some, but not many I don't think.
And no, Even £5+mm won't get you green space with your house if you want to live near these schools, I am afraid.

Michaela, we certainly knew some ex Hill House boys at Westminster, though a couple at least entered at 15.

Obvious feeders might be DCPS (whatever it is called now) in Dulwich, Eaton House Clapham, Newton Prep or Thomas' Clapham or Battersea.

All accessible from leafy places with gardens.

That said we managed without a garden. London parks are great, and DC enrolled in sports clubs.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59999413.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59645854.html
Or a project near parkwww.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60224563.html
For Norland place Brook green may be worth a look or the area around Ravenscourt Park.
I think Hill house has quite a big catchment

Newton prep? And it's not Colet court these days (I think it's St Paul's juniors). What's your back up to Westminster and St Paul's?

Sorry. 13 not 15!

Hasn't Hill House had a recent terrible inspection?

Wasn't that more infrastructure? The buildings are quite old and the management a bit, well, it's a family run thing so I guess they do things their own way.

Newton Prep, Thomas's Clapham, Broomwood Hall
Plenty of houses 'Between the Commons' of near Battersea Park and lovely communities in those areas also

Yes I think south offers more scope housewise with transport to target schools.

If you like the Eaton House group, then have a look at The Manor on the edge of Clapham Common.

Also Newton Prep.

But that's quite a different school (less trad, less homework than Eaton House The Manor) but regularly sends to Westminster and St Paul's (including exhibitions and scholarships) and doesn't mind losing a few to WUS/Colet Court. Though neither of those schools preps for 7/8+ entrt

Hill,House inspection wasn't just buildings, it was lack of knowledge of pupil's progress and some pretty adverse stuff from staff. But that was about 3 years ago, so people need to read the old reports and ask carefully about what has changed since then.

www.theguardian.com/education/2015/mar/11/hill-house-prep-school-prince-charles-damning-ofsted-report

I'd recommend Newton. Good culture (plenty of homework!). Happy kids - not a stressy hothouse school but they still get good results.

Yes, HH do send some to great school at 13, but I think OP was focused on 8+. I agree with upthread - I wouldn't be that keen on HH and the trouble there was more recent than three years ago, I think.

Have you checked out The Hampshire School Chelsea? Lovely school and their results are amazing. I would highly recommend and the bus service is fantastic ❤

Do you have a prefrence, based on the fact that your child has a place at these schools and no doubt you've visited them? I have no doubt they're all very different....

My own son is currently at Hill House and we are delighted with the school. With regards to senior school, they've just received notification that all children got their first choice schools, which is fantastic and very good to know as a parent.
My understanding is that families choose senior schools based on visits, liaising with school specialists and personal choice but it's not something in yet concerned about with my son only just finishing year 1, though my initial preference would be for Westminster or St. Paul's.
Go with your instinct when choosing. They'll all prepare kids for their entrance exams, so choose a school you think will suit your xhild and that they'll be happy in.

And regards the Ofsted inspection, that was several years ago.
Read current inspection reports and Good School Guide.....and go with how you feel about a place.

The most recent adverse OFSTED report was 2 years ago, and previous ones had shown issues either. It would be entirely correct to see if enduring changes have finally been made.

It is exceptionally rare that a London prep does not get a pupil into First Choice school. Do bear in mind that this is a specific jargon term for Common Entrance choice. It is not a reflection on whether the First Choice was actually the school the parents may have otherwise hoped for (eg in a school which was more on top of pupils progress than OFSTED found this one to be) nor does it apply to competitive exam schools.

Another vote for Hampshire School - great results and facilities! Plus their bus service runs to Battersea and Parsons Green.

Mitsaki, Hill House is not a school known to send kids to the likes of Westminster and St Paul's and the recent Ofsted report was pretty damning. The 11+ results for girls for example, this year, was pretty average, compared to other prep schools in the area. Granted Hill House fees are considerably lower than other local preps such as Garden House and Thomas's but If you are aiming for on of the top senior schools I would be cautious. Eaton House Belgravia has a better academic reputation but of course it involves sitting 7+ or 8+ which for many kids can be a bit of a tall order.

...and none Of the 4 hill house parents I know were happy with the senior school their kids ended up accepting this year so goodness knows where the "first choice" sttement came from!