The Roche or Newton Prep

[PatiSW]

Hi, my son has a place at Newton Prep for reception starting this September. We love NP but were now also offered a place at The Roche. We see it as two completely different schools. One selective a quite academic, the other non selective and feels a bit more nurturing, also leavers destination is as good. My son is quite shy so having second thoughts about NP. Any parents out there from The Roche and NP that could give me your personal opinion?
Thank so much in advance.

for a shy child, I would probably lean towards the Roche, much smaller and more personalised. That said, NP might be more convenient in terms of afterschool care and the amount of clubs on offer thanks to its size. Roche fees are lower, too. I think you will have to go with your gut feel on this and also look at the logistics and practicalities (NP may be better for working parents).

I'd think about what style of school environment suits your son. Happy children will thrive and do well. If you are looking for small, pastoral friendly and supportive I'd be very tempted by The Roche.

What's the school run like?

I would go with the easier one. You could always move him later (say yr3, a normal break point) if it doesn't work out as planned.

Yes, NP is a bigger school, but class sizes are small, and the lower school is fairly separate from the rest. I do not think you would need to worry about your DC being overlooked or overwhelmed. So don't rule out NP on misplaced ideas that it's impersonal.

Do rule it out if it's a pig of a journey or if you simply don't like it as much, even if you can't put your finger on quite why

I'm not sure that NP would be the best place for a shy child. Individual teachers can be nurturing, if he is lucky to get the right one, but there is a lot of staff turnover in the lower school. My NP child is shy and reserved, and is not flourishing there; with hindsight, I would have chosen somewhere smaller.

They are quite far apart given pretty awful traffic at rush hour in London. Choose the one with the easiest journey to school.

Just wondering what OP has chosen and whether she is happy with her choice?
I noticed The Roche wants deposit in September the year before Reception while Newton will be just doing assessment in September. I wonder how OP has managed to reserve places in both schools.