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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

Rowans/Willington/Rokeby or Donhead

8 replies

eedob · 25/01/2019 22:16

Hi All,
I'm sure this has been asked many times but I'm struggling to navigate the schools at the moment and find it all very confusing so would be lovely to get some advice for anyone with experience.
We are quite late parents and were never interested in schooling so we are really struggling to make sense of all schools in Wimbedon area.

We have seen all the mentioned schools but still struggling to see which one would be the best for our son. Any advice would be great.

We signed up to Rowans kindergarden few weeks after birth because we live close by but have some reservations after the tour (all kids seems very presurised to learn and didn't look very happy and head was very pushy), also communication from the school has been poor, apparently we are supposed to find out about the place within days. We liked Willington but we understand the head is pretty new and some parents of upper years have not been very happy. Rokeby is lovely but a bit of a trek for us. We also seen Donhead and like it but we are not practicing Catholics so not sure if our son is going to enjoy it. We would like him to be happy and loved at the school not only made to study.

Also we have signed for Oaktree nursery which we like for the outdoor space but heard from other parents on the tours that this might not be the best choice.

I would be very grateful for any views on the schools mentioned.

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jupiter123 · 30/01/2019 21:37

Bumping as I'm also interested in the above mentioned schools

hectorshouse2 · 01/02/2019 15:43

Hi my ds is at Willington and they had an open house today for current parents where we got to join everyone in lessons. It was great to be a fly on the wall and to see what the older boys get to do. New head is really approachable and theres a lovely atmosphere in the school. My ds is really happy and it was so lovely to watch him in his world today. I don't know many parents in the upper part of the school but everyone I spoke to today was just really positive.

jupiter123 · 03/02/2019 19:50

thank you hectorhouse2, we really liked the feel of the school too. We have also signed up to Wimbledon Common Preparatory School but were told we might be too late so hoping for a place at Willington

mja091074 · 04/02/2019 06:53

Hello, I have two sons at Willington - one in the junior school and one in the senior school. We are 100% sure that Willington is the right school for both our boys.

When choosing a school, we felt that Willington has the right balance between academia, well being, ethics and family involvement. Both my boys love going to school and speak highly of their teachers.The school grounds are small but don't let this put you off as the boys swim from Y1 and travel to a local off site playing field where sport (football, rugby, cricket and athletics) is played.

The new headmaster joined in September and has already made some positive changes / improvements. It is early days but he has been well received by boys and parents alike.

Willington really is a hidden gem.

Original poster

eedob · 04/02/2019 11:52

Thank you all for your feedback, I like the fact that both Willington and Rokeby are clear about the admission criteria. What I struggle with (or maybe i’m too new to this game) about the entry to both Rowans and Squirrels that you can register very early (4/5 weeks) and still struggle to get in and there is a lot of smoke and mirrors going on. We still have a lot of time so will see what places we get offers from and decide on the feeling what is right for DS and where the kids appear to be happy.

It is really hard to decide so early on if he should be at his first school until 7,8,11 or 13

We will probably also want to see KCS and how clever the kids there are. We are 10 mins walk from there so it would be great in a long run but not if I have to kill myself to get him in there and for him to hate me for it.

Thank you all again for feedback on Willington

OP posts:

Wimblemum1 · 04/02/2019 12:47

If you really like any particular school keep in touch even if initially you seem far down the list. There is always a handful of parents who see no problem paying 2-3 school place deposits and waiting until first term’s fees are due to drop out, by which time lots of others have settled their choices elsewhere.

Original poster

eedob · 12/02/2019 20:49

Hi All,
We have now been to see Rokeby and only now I understand how sometimes you feel the school is right for our child. Sadly it is a ballot but if he gets in it is not brainer for both of us. There was something about the boys, headteacher and atmosphere of the school that just resonates with us. The boys are so happy there that we don't mind driving extra 10 mins. So after all the tours (some done twice) our first choice would be Rokeby with Willington second.

OP posts:

Bluehorse3 · 24/02/2024 15:31

I feel like I could’ve written that message myself. We are in the exact same place as you 5 years ago. Curious how things turned out for your son? Also curious what you heard about Oaktree? We are considering them for this fall.

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