Newton Prep vs St Paul's Cathedral School

[NewScenesOfJoy]

Hello, would be very grateful if anyone with knowledge of both of these schools could advise on how they compare. We have been lucky enough to get a place at Newton Prep for our child for 4+ entry in 2018, and have an assessment at SPCS coming up. Child is clever, musical, can participate in all sports but probably won't have much aptitude due to a mild physical disability. We're looking for a school that's very academic but not a sausage factory, ideally with a lovely atmosphere and not too authoritarian. Does this sound like both schools or would you incline more to one than the other? Thanks very much for any info you can share.

If you want very academic I’d go for Newton. If you want somewhere that isn’t a sausage factory I’d go for SPCS. I’d say the student body at SPCS is more diverse academically whereas Newton are more selective and more results driven. Both lovely schools in their own way though. Less sport at SPCS, but the school site is also somewhat cramped, unsurprisingly. Maybe look at exit results and see which fits more with the Senior school you’re after?

Ah thanks Orchid! The facilities at Newton really wowed me but I was worried they'd distract me from other aspects which are more important. Really appreciate your help.

I am a SPCS parent. I don’t know much about Newton Prep so can’t comment on it but I would say that SPCS is exactly what you have described.

My son is in Year One and is really happy there.

Out of nosiness, what sort of journey would you have to each school? I don’t think Newton and SPCS are close to each other?

Thanks for the responses! Good to hear that your son is happy at SPCS CruCru. We're kind of inbetween the two (don't want to be too outing) - we live in a bit of London with no local prep schools so will have to commute a bit, but we think it's doable (esp once the Northern line extension opens for Newton Prep - and DH works very near SPCS).