to feel a little aggreived - London schools

[shouldnthavelistened]

I read with interest about London prepreps on this board, started a thread myself once, and was told in no uncertain terms that the "you have to put your name down at birth" rumours were a myth. Was even told that the schools always had places and were desperate for people to go.

So, just rang around anticipating a move later in the year and want to start looking for a property and school... and they are all full. Indeed one of them actually said the words "you have to have your name down at birth as we are oversubscribed".

It is not a myth.

If you're wanting Wetherby prep then you must be in the catchment for at least 10 good or outstanding state Primary schools. They might surprise you...

As everyone else has said, don’t despair. Look at the state school options near where you live and alternative private schools. Pretty much every selective private school won’t require registration at birth so you could try those and there are lots of good prep schools where you will be able to gain a place. Even if you are on a waiting list, so much changes that places do become available.

By the way, I've lived in London since 1985 and have never even heard of this school.

I've only heard of it because Prince William and Prince Harry attended there.

Thanks all.

Wetherby is sought after for a reason. They differentiate from Reception which is rare, so teaching is really personalised.

Have rung around and got a few visits lined up at other places. Hopefully they will be as good. Thanks again.

As a private school attendee, and as someone who'd always send my children to private school, but am a state school reception teacher we most definitely differentiate from reception in state school!

By differentiate do you mean set different levels of work for children based on ability.

Surely that is done in state schools?

Just thinking of an incredible stage school reception teacher my children were lucky enough to have...

Schools might SAY they do it but if you read the Good Schools Guide or the Ofsted reports, they fall short, even "fail", in this area.

"schools might SAY they do"...

Well gee, I didn't realise someone was so canny. Here I am lying to myself as a professional, convincing myself I differentiate for all children in my class when actually I don't! Thanks for enlightening me on every state school ever, OP. So super glad you are here to let us all know.

They differentiate from Reception which is rare

OP - that's normal in English schools. Yes, there will be some which do it incompetently, but they are the unusual outliers. Not one of the many which does it competently.

Wetherby is sought after for a reason. They differentiate from Reception which is rare, so teaching is really personalised.

Let me guess.. You're sure your child will be top of the class because of genetics/how young they smiled etc.?

If it's a pushy school, being below average is MISERABLE place to be. I don't know the school though so that might be unfair.

I registered DD when pregnant, then realised the private sector is a cancer on British society (I'm not from here) and we're now in the state sector.

Honestly I find it pathetic to run around and abide by the rules of the private schools, all this for the privilege of paying them thousands of pounds. In the only year we spent in private, the school refused to open breakfast club 5mns earlier so parents had the chance to catch a train to the City and be on time for work. I used to look at all these people looking extraordinarily stressed, running up like mad up a rather steep hill and thought that was complete madness.

You must have a plan B though as you had no guarantee of a place anyway. Honestly OP, don't get too caught up in this madness. There is no such thing as the perfect school and at 4, your child is barely out of the baby years. Does it really matter if he is being '"pushed' or whatever else you are trying to achieve from sending him to a posh school. You want him to be happy. Wetherby won't necessarily be the answer to that. I recommend you look at all options and go with your gut feeling.

Hi OP

I am not sure how old your son is but some other schools you may like are Arnold House and St Anthony’s (St John’s Wood and Hampstead).

All non-selective schools differentiate at primary school level whether state or independent. The kids might not know it but they are generally sat on tables with children of similar abilities for Literacy and Maths.

@Priority9 sorry for going off thread, but do you mind me asking why you would always send your DC to private school? It’s interesting to get the perspective of a state sector teacher.

OP is everything someone else's fault? Instead of calling and checking you took one remark on the internet to apply without exception to all schools? I can't understand why you are angry faced at anyone except yourself.
Wetherby is a good school but there are plenty of others. Many undecided and somewhat over privileged people will be holding 2-3 reception places as back up. They will free up when they eventually make their pick. Something will always come up.
(To the PP who asked. Wetherby and PH run monthly lists I believe to ensure a good spread of ages across the year so it's not unheard of to book your section for the 1st of the month... probably apocryphal also but funny anyway...)
Where I live only one school requires birth registration and the others are either ballot or assessment for reception places so it isn't a myth - it just, as in all things, varies from school to school.