prospect house school vs francis holland

[bingbanes]

hi all,

we have accepted and payed for a place at francis holland school for my daughter starting september 2019 in reception, i found out today that they have a space for her at prospect house school in putney hill... both schools are equidistant from our house in parsons green... which is the best option? not from london so learning the ropes. I've just heard the kids are so happy at prospect house... I'm sure francis holland is also a happy school.

thanks in advance

We are Putney based and I loved the look of PHS when I registered my sons. Lovely open roomy buildings and access to green spaces like Putney Heath and a real traditional happy feel, but with a lot of emphasis on technology and moving with the times. A good balance. Don't know much about FHS except playing netball and tennis against them when I was at school in London. I remembered their buildings being a bit cramped. Having said that it's all the way through to 18 if you want, whereas PHS means you have to move at 11.
I'd also think about the morning commute. Will you be using the tube / bus? If so, I'd much rather be going against the traffic from P Green to Putney than P Green to Sloane Square. For me it would be hands down PHS for those reasons.

thank you so much Jellycat... i was a bit concerned about the kids being moved to a new premises after 7 years old, it might feel like going to a whole new school and be a bit unsettling, also, I've heard that local schools such as Putney High are very good at attracting girls who would otherwise have gone to PH, which means that ratio of boys to girls isn’t always great. what are your thoughts ?

Imjust thinking ill probably end up going to Chelsea every day anyway as my mom and sister live there so would end up driving all over the place if at Prospect.

One ore thing... have you heard of Puffins Nursery? I'm choosing between that and pippa popins for my 2 year old.

thanks for taking the time to reply :)

I wouldn’t worry at all about the move of building at 7 but I would worry that absolutely everyone else will be from Putney and you will be stuck driving to Putney for play dates and parties the whole time including the weekend. What with your family connections I would stick to your side of the river to be honest- presume you looked into Ken Prep and the usual suspects in the area? It’s a good school but geographically doesn’t sound right for you. You will also then be driving Back into town at a really bad time once you drop off.

ok great advice thanks, yes we did assessments at ken prep and thomas' fulham but she was not accepted (she's very young for her year - August baby)

thomas' told us to reassess her next year so that shed start there in 2020 and be the oldest in the class... we may decide to di this at both Thomas' and Ken Prep ... any thoughts on this? do you like Thomas'?

thanks again for your help... any advice is so valuable to me

Yes I agree with @QueenofArendelle There are lots of good preps much closer to you.

The traffic over Putney Bridge will be an absolute nightmare with Hammersmith Bridge closed for the foreseeable future. There is no way I'd do that commute four times a day when FHS is a lovely school and if it works for you your dd's education is sorted until she's 18

My sons have gone to a Puffins nursery - it is the most amazing nursery. It is beautiful and the staff there have stayed for years. Run by the amazing Fiona. I don’t think I could ever have come across a better nursery. Definitely check it out. It is so nurturing.

Thank you so much Hels20 - I'm so glad, she's quite clingy and not great on the separation side so this comes as a welcome relief!

thanks for this valuable inside info foreverbyjudyblume.
much appreciated

Hello Bingbanes,
I was wondering if you decided to go for FHS and if you did, how are you finding it? I been hearing a lot about being for rich girls, is that so? Any feedback from your experience would be greatly appreciated.

We left PHS (Prospect House School) two years ago. The school under the present Headmaster was very negative, sadly about children with mild special educational needs. He and the SENCO were dismissive about our DC and future schools. Fortunately we didn't take their negativity too seriously and we moved DC. Now DC is thriving at a more academic school. It's our hope that other parents never experience the same as us and that PHS comes up again under the new Headmistress starting this September 2024. Good luck :)