Eaton house the Manor or Newton Prep?

[hokoelc]

Hi all,
My DD has places in both schools to start reception in 2021 (assuming she passes Newton interview). Early to think about it I know, but any feedback on either school gratefully received. We live walking distance to both so no concerns there. DS is a year younger and will likely go where his sis goes for convenience, thus asking now so I can apply for him. Primary concerns are:

• Pastoral care at Newton. They are a big school and I'm less about academics so much at this young age, but does anyone have views on the pastoral care of young children at Newton and EH?

• Diversity. I was struck when visiting both schools by how EH seemed very traditional and "a certain type of British" while Newton seemed more down to earth. Thoughts?

• Difference in quality of girls' school and boys' school at EH. I've read about EH girls' school being less established as it's newer and smaller. Not sure if there is any real difference in the quality of education at the girls' vs. Boys' schools but obviously this issue wouldn't exist at Newton.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Thanks for your response, very helpful. Might I ask where your daughter is schooling now?

Newton Prep all the way, really didn't like Eaton House.

Tigermom79 , do you mind if I ask you which school your daughter is with now? Researching for schools around London area for my daughter and interested to know which school is more challenging academically. Thank you!

Newton Prep is way less crowded and has significantly better facilities.

Newton Prep produced more King's and Queen's scholars than Eaton House, but both schools are amongst the (pretty few) which are not linked close feeder/junior school which do so. Newton Prep has the more established track record for girls compared the Eaton House girls, but that's a matter of longevity as much as anything else.

If you are looking for boarding later on, then you might prefer Eaton House, which has an enduring reputation for tradition. If you are set on SPGS or one of the north London girls schools, then probably neither!

Not Eaton House!

Newton Prep all the way. Superb school for boys and girls.

@AnotherNewt

Newton Prep is way less crowded and has significantly better facilities.

Newton Prep produced more King's and Queen's scholars than Eaton House, but both schools are amongst the (pretty few) which are not linked close feeder/junior school which do so. Newton Prep has the more established track record for girls compared the Eaton House girls, but that's a matter of longevity as much as anything else.

If you are looking for boarding later on, then you might prefer Eaton House, which has an enduring reputation for tradition. If you are set on SPGS or one of the north London girls schools, then probably neither!

AnotherNewt, just out of curiosity, if one is aiming for SPGS and equivalent, which prep(s) would they usually go?

Been looking for preps for my daughter and browsing through posts here. Will def take a deeper look at Newton Prep with all the positive comments here! Thanks!

If it's SPGS place, you'd be fine at Newton - couple of places most years, but not often scholarships.

This list cover 2017 and 2018 but I'd say is still accurate. Bute House, Falkener House and Glendower are the ones with the strongest reputations and those reputations are well founded

www.londonpreprep.com/2018/08/spgs-feeders/

Here is a more up to date SPGS feeder list, but you will see the girls' prep schools dominate - this is also because parents are NP might prefer co-ed senior schools.
www.londonpreprep.com/2020/07/st-pauls-girls-school-feeder/

Newton Prep sends children to Alleyn's / JAGS / City / Eton / SPGS every year, their 11+ destinations look stronger than Eaton House for sure, but of course EHTM for girls is also quite small in comparison. To me, NP always felt less "corporate" and pretentious than EHTM, although it is bigger.

My elder child has attended both schools and younger is following in the footsteps at Eaton House the Manor.

The punchline is - EHTM without a doubt. It is a very good school, especially compared to Newton. The only advantage Newton prep has is the sport facilities and that it reminds many of the foreign parents (incl. myself) of their schools back home.

It is easy to dismiss EHTM as lacking diversity, being too traditional or not suitable as single sex. We did too on first look. It is as diverse as Newton, does not have the Newton corporate feel (computer says no) and we are now converts to single sex.

My advice is, check out both schools properly. Speak to parents. Mumsnet and online reviews do not provide an objective picture.

@Norahdad: Everyone says "speak to parent" but where do you meet them? We accidentally met one parent of Newton at DS's friend's Halloween party.
6%-7% of children go to private schools. Given the number of schools in the area it is a luck to meet someone from a particular school.