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Primary education

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

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Original poster

Private School Entry Twickenham

15 replies

amidaiwish · 26/04/2007 09:04

Well DD1 didn't get into her (state, catholic school) nursery and i am becoming less confident that she will get in for reception.

So, as a back up i am going to register her (and DD2) for private.

I was thinking of St. Catherine's and Newlands House. Any opinions on these?

She would be no.17 (girls) on the waiting list for Newlands House. There are only 40 places per year, i assume 20 for girls, so in effect i would need nearly the whole female intake to drop out. Am i wasting my money on the registration fee?

Anyone know what the criteria is for St.Catherine's?

Thanks.

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slondonmum · 26/04/2007 11:38

St Catherine's is far more likely to have a place than Newlands ... another school to think about is Twickenham Prep, a good school (in Hampton though) which has a Christian ethos, and a great all-inclusive policy; everyone plays a music instrument, takes place in plays etc etc. The headmaster is nice and very effective too. TPS have two classes of 18 ...

slalomsuki · 26/04/2007 11:41

You will be surprised at how many kids fall off the waiting list for private schools since their parents change their minds, get them in to another school and decide they can't afford it.

We had 40 on our wait list when ds1 was in nursery and he got in and they ended up with 3 spare places which have not been filled. Reception class started at 22 and now almost at the end of year 1 they are down to 14.

foxinsocks · 26/04/2007 11:41

twick prep is fabulous - we know someone who goes there. It's really lovely.

My impression of Newlands is that the mums/families are quite errr exclusive (for want of a better word). They are certainly not all like that though.

Another option is Eleanor Holles junior.

slondonmum · 26/04/2007 11:43

Hollis is only from year 3 ...

foxinsocks · 26/04/2007 11:47

ahh didn't realise that.

Original poster

amidaiwish · 26/04/2007 12:06

thanks all
foxinsocks, that is the reason we didn't sign up for newlands house when DD1 was 3m old and i heard there were a couple of places left . thought it was ridiculous!

i would really like to be able to walk them to school, so TPS is a bit of a drive... but maybe...?

LEH junior is from year 3? what age is that?

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Original poster

amidaiwish · 26/04/2007 12:08

and is there any reason why St.C is more likely to have a place than Newlands?
It isn't significantly cheaper.... something i should know??

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LIZS · 26/04/2007 12:12

If dd2 gets a place as of right (ie. because that intake year isn't yet full) it may mean dd1's application gets sibling priority even before dd2 actually starts, so she moves up the list . Not all schools would dictate a 50:50 split of places by sex if the balance of applications suggests that isn't appropriate.(ds' year group is only 1/3 girls whereas most others are roughly 50:50) Year 3 is 7+

Original poster

amidaiwish · 26/04/2007 12:14

well Newlands House is also full for DD2! but she would be no.7 on the waiting list (girls). she is only 1 ffs. do these parents head there straight from the labour ward?

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susie40 · 27/04/2007 17:42

amida, it's common for Teddington parents to register for Newlands as a "banker" if they fail to get into the state school of their choice, so there will be a lot of drop outs both from intake and waiting list nearer the time. Some of my antenatal class tried to register when their babies were 6 months old and were told they'd have to go on the waiting list so yes, people do go straight there from the labour ward, £50 in hand!

NoodleStroodle · 27/04/2007 17:50

You could also see if Jack & Jill have a place but they only go up to 7 so you would have to change again then. The beauty of St C option is that DD could then stay until 16 becuase the scrabble at 7 & 11 is far worse than getting in in the first place! Would Surbiton High be out of question - again would go through until 18. I think waiting lists around here are quite fluid - last year's debacle over promary schools has probably put a lot of people on their guard.

Original poster

amidaiwish · 27/04/2007 18:51

well I received the prospectus from Twick prep today, they have "sussed" the just-in-case brigade. You have to pay £750 18 months before they are due to start! £650 is deducted off the first term's fee, the remainder when they leave the school.

i was really hoping to be able to walk them to school, hence St C or Newland's. Maybe i should look at surbiton high, many of my sister's friends went there and have done really well (inc oxford 1sts without being too nerdy)

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foxinsocks · 27/04/2007 18:56

I'd go and look at St Cats - have I got it wrong, or does it only go to 16 (i.e. not have a sixth form)? I think it's also a school with a Catholic ethos (so that may suit you).

all the children that come out of there look perfectly happy and they seem to have lovely facilities (dd was, at one stage, due to do swimming there but we couldn't fix the right date) - I certainly wouldn't write it off.

Original poster

amidaiwish · 27/04/2007 19:00

no they don't have a sixth form. i think that is why many leave at 11. all that money spent and then at the critical A level year you have to change schools.

i think that is going to be our "banker" - hopefully she will get into St. James for reception - she's quite high on the waiting list for nursery, so fingers crossed.

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decafskinnylatte · 01/05/2007 23:20

Hi again Amida. Have only just seen your thread as have been off mn for the last few weeks (adjusting to being a full time mum is really eating into my internet time!).

My ds will be going to Newland house in September (am not at all exclusive! lol!). We chose it having visited there, Twickenham prep and Hampton Court House (tho didn't look at St Catherine's or the Mall as wanted co-ed for both ds & dd). We know several families with children there (all lovely happy children of varying abilities) and are very happy with our choice but if it had come down to it, I would have been equally happy with Twickenham Prep. You should try to visit those you are interested in and get a feel for yourself. Also check out the Good Schools Guide but I'd be wary of placing too much reliance in this.

Don't be at all put off by the waiting lists. As has been said below, many will drop off and you will most likely find that you are offered a place in good time before having to make a decision (17 is pretty high so you should be in with a good chance anyway). I appreciate that this doesn't give much peace of mind at this stage, but again, it's worth speaking to the admissions staff at the relevant schools to get a better idea of the likelihood of being offered a place.

Don't lose hope on your state school place either; you should definitely apply in parallel. You might find that you do in fact get a place (however miraculous that might seem right now).

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