Private girls primary schools kensington

[rsvp07]

Hello all - we are relatively new to london and are going through the assessment process for our DD. She's in the lucky position to have earned a spot at Falkner House, Francis Holland, Glendower and Kensington Prep. Whilst very proud of her, I'm totally confused on which to select. I've read through other posts which seem to be a bit dated. Would greatly appreciate input from parents at these schools on your experience, and particularly how that school suits your child. Each of our DDs are unique and i'm struggling to find the best fit for ours. Thank you SO much!!

Falkner is very small, quite an exclusive feel. The Head there is very no nonsense so make sure you're on board with that and the fact she doesn't put up with pushy or interfering parents.
Ken Prep has amazing facilities as you'll know. Very modern and with the times. GDST is a very good group of schools, keeps fees at sensible rates and has the advantage if you move house e.g. to Wimbledon your DD would get a place automatically (as long as a space comes up) at Wimbledon HIgh or whatever other GDST school is nearby. Random perk but I always thought it showed how much they care. I would pick it from all the things I have heard. I think it is getting a new head.
Glendower is quite princessy and has some very famous kids. Good reputation and academics. Lots try for 7+ at other schools which, to me, says something. But having said that, haven't heard a bad word.
Francis Holland advantage is she could go straight through to seniors. Disadvantage is they probably prep far less for 11+ at other schools.

I didn't think that was true at all about transfer between GDST schools?

For what it's worth I'd choose Ken Prep - decent fees, excellent facilities and leavers' destinations. not FH - if she continues on the same academic trajectory you may well wish to look elsewhere for seniors so you will want a prep to make that move easier.

It’s not true about GDST schools, or at least not Wimbledon High, so don’t assume an easy transfer

“If my daughter is already in a GDST school, can she transfer directly to WHS?
No; all applicants must sit the entrance examination whatever school they currently attend.”
www.wimbledonhigh.gdst.net/admissions/11-faqs

Thank you. It sounds like you are all very focused on secondary school entrance as a metric for this decision?
Would greatly appreciate any thoughts about your DD’s experience in these schools. I’ve heard the following concerns and welcome feedback from school parents. Yes these are heresay and a bit blunt so I’m hoping for current parents to correct or validate me based on your experiences. Ty!

1. Falkner House is a hot house. Several great teachers have left girls school for the boys. If your child struggles it’s not a happy place. The school is run autocratically and “the school’s decision is paramount.” The curriculum is robust but very traditional and hadn’t evolved with time. it’s a formal and strict environment for kids. Unclear how much room New head has to govern vs her mom. Girls are driven and very competitive
2. Glendower eliminated sibling policy. Kids spend a lot of time bussing to activities. Not as strong academically but produces well rounded kids.
3. Ken Prep - head’s departure is the biggest news, unclear how that will affect the school. Is a hot house. Kids are a bit all over the place and free, not that academic. Hard to get to from Kensington esp since All social life and play dates are local so better to live local. Very competitive as it’s serving a wider area-not much other school competition in the area.
4. Francis Holland-traditional, formal, girls are quite prissy. Almost over emphasis on pleasantries and manners with strict discipline. Not academic. Assume you will stay in this school the whole way.

Agh!

I just wrote a long post and my keyboard ate it!

1. Some schools are all about the head, and if you don't like the ethos you won't ever be happy with it. Conversely, if you do, then it'll be a fantastic choice. Check leavers' destinations if you are worried about level of curriculum. Some people like 'tried and trusted' methods.

2. Don't know this school

3. Don't fear change of head. The governors who appoint them won't have changed, and so they should be a good fit for the ethos and strategic direction of the school. Again, check leavers destinations to help decide how academic it is.

Worth also pausing for thought what sort of school ethos you want.

4. This sounds more like the school some 5+ years ago before the change of head. I think it had been shedding its 'Sloaney pony' reputation for some time before that as well.

(BTW, that GDST link is for the main 11+ entry. For ad hoc places, yes the academic level must be right, but although no guarantee, schools do look kindly on each other's pupils for ad hoc places - which is what I think pp might have meant by 'if a space comes up')

The point about being at a through school and avoiding 11+ stress is one worth considering.

As is ease of school run - not just distance but bottlenecks. Buses will be frequent, but how crowded/slow are they at peak times? If no bus, do your really want to add the embuggeration of parking?

Sorry about misleading info on GDST - that as what someone told me but obviously incorrect. Apologies.

FWIW I know someone who works at one of the West London very academic girls schools with a big 7+ intake. They have huge numbers applying from Glendower (way over half the year group), a few from Falkner and one or two from Ken Prep and Francis Holland (and FWIW over two thirds of the year group from Pembridge Hall and lots from Garden House). The school only takes around 1 in 5 applicants so lots of the above don't get places. I found just the numbers applying really interesting. Says something about the schools and types of parents at them in a way. I find it odd as the above schools are all very good and sought after so to choose to move your DD at 7+ from them is quite a big decision.

@FrogMog as a Glendower parent (and BTW a very happy one. Good decision, no regrets!) I'm often at school gate for drop off and my understanding is that there are never more than about 4 or 5 applications for that West London school (out of 36).
It may suit some very aspirational parents but most of us trust Glendower to do a great job! DD is happy and thriving - why move? :)

@Goldengirl64, I am facing the same decision as rsvp07. Can you tell us more about Glendower? It seems that the school focuses quite a lot on well rounded individuals but does that come with additional pressures? I heard some of the parents can project a very competitive vibe onto the pupils / school so I am a bit concerned that the 'all rounded individual' is just masking competition that goes beyond academics (in sport, drama, debating etc). Also what are expectations of parental involvement? Is it pretty full of for the parents? And why did you choose Glendower?

@RaspberryCake, like all London Prep schools parents are competitive at Glendower but you are right that it does seem to put more emphasis on producing well balanced, well rounded individuals (here's hoping for my DD!). We had offers from Falkner House , Ken Prep and others but we chose Glendower because the teachers were so enthusiastic, class sizes were smaller than most (18 per class in Pre-Prep), the curriculum seemed very wide ranging (they now include mindfulness and resilience), Senior school results were good and (personal reason) DH and I preferred a charitable Trust to a privately owned school. Good luck with your choices! oh, and parental involvement is up to you - many of us work full time so restricted to evening events, Christmas Bazaar etc...

Try the Knightsbridge Village website. The Chelsea and Kensington mums are on there can give you specific insider info about those schools.

@rsvp07, @RaspberryCake, congratulations with the great results! Wondering what was your ultimate decision?

We chose Falkner House.

Great, happy for you, @RaspberryCake. We also had a similar debate early this year, since were lucky to land offers from these schools. Ended up picking Falkner House too. We based our decision on DD's reaction to the schools and our gut feeling. At the end of the day, it is challenging to go wrong with any of these options, I believe.

Fortius and RaspberryCake would you know anything about the boys prep - Falkner? I have a year 2 son at another school who will be sitting the 7+ in January. We have our eye on a couple of "stretch" schools but also need a backup. I've heard Falkner is now taking boys higher up the school. My main queries are what facilities for subjects like art and the science lab is like and also being a town house school in central London where do the boys go to run round and play sport??

I have a son who might do the 7+ in January too. He is in Year 1 now and FH boys currently has an intake for his year already. You should visit the boys school and speak to Mrs Dixon / Mrs Griggs. I visited it and I liked it but I can't claim that I know the school first hand. What is a 'stretch' school? Is that another way of saying Westminster and St Paul's?

I will visit in the Autumn term in addition to Open Days at other schools. In the meantime just wondered if anyone knew where the boys at Falkner do sport as that’s so important. My son is not at all sporty but likes to run around and let off steam. Compared to other schools you can join at 7+ Eg Kings, St Paul’s, space and sport facilities is one area FH on the face of it is seriously lacking,