CHISWICK PREP SCHOOLS

[Gastonmaman]

Hi,
We are moving from Paris to Chiswick in March this year.
I am looking at prep schools for my two year old son. I have CBPP school, Orchard house and Heathfield house on my list.
Does anyone have children at any of these schools? is there any particular one which is better?

Can’t help you, but just wanted to say I am in the same boat - moving to Chiswick in March from abroad, and looking for preps / nursery for my 3 YO and 1 YO sons.
Have a look at the thread called “Need advice - best prep school in Chiswick” which is just active again. There are some schools listed on there. Heard a lot about Ravenscourt Park Prep... maybe check them out too?
We are probably going with Heathfield House simply because they seem to be the only ones with space still available (and are significantly cheaper than the other schools). Have you visited any of these schools in person?

We saw CBPP and Falcons. Both we were told had space.

I felt it was a bit annoying that CBPP don’t give the children lunch and they have to bring a packed lunch and a shame that boys have to leave at 7. They also don’t have much outdoor space.

The falcons I am still uncertain about the idea of an all boys school from such a young age.

Those are exactly the two reasons why I haven't even considered Falcons (all boys) and CBPP (boys leaving at 7).
I also heard good things about the prep schools in and around Kew - Kew College and Unicorns in particular. Perhaps have a look at those? Given that your son is a year younger than mine he probably wouldn't start there until next year, correct? So you might still get lucky with a place.

The schools all start from 3 years old so he would start in September this year when he will be 3 years and 2 days old!

There were plenty of boys at CBPP school when I visited so leaving at 7 shouldn’t be too much issue for the boys as they will leave together with other boys. Then the prep schools for boys in London start age 7 anyway as it’s 3-7 pre prep and 7+ is prep. The main thing really was the ease of a combined prep and pre prep for the parent and also having the ease of not making a packed lunch 🙈

I didn’t look in Kew as I’m working so it wouldn’t be possible to get him there in the mornings or collect him.

I think I will look at Heathfield too so I feel like I have seen them all.

Hi, I have children at Orchard and CBPP so can comment on both. Very different schools but both very good in their own way.

For CBPP lunch is really not the issue if you have a boy. Boys leave at 7 and the idea is to give them an opportunity to join some of London's most academic schools early and bypass the 11+. Most parents of boys at CBPP go there because the school prepares them (well) but it is a commitment for children and parents: work and pressure. The school has impressive 7+ results, the teachers are very good.

OHS goes until 11+ and they frown on children sitting the 7+. The school offers much more sports and the teachers are excellent. The early years are very relaxed and lovely, from Year 5, children prepare the 11+ and it gets much more intense.

Both are good options. It depends on when you want to put your child through exams and how able he is.

@Gastonmaman j'ai aussi un Gaston :), n'hesitez pas a me contacter directement.

Hello @sotiredtoday .. I just started a new thread to ask opinion on the new changes underway at OH (Dukes management, new head and merger with CBPP) and noticed your response here. As you have children at both schools (your post is SO helpful by the way, thank you!!) - I wondered if I could ask if you have any concerns around all the change at OH? We also frown on exams for 7yo, so hoping this won’t change at OH- have you heard anything?
If you get a chance to reply- thank you !! X

Ps!! Gosh sorry I sound so judgemental there! I guess I mean for our child and his temperament and our opinions (which are no better or worse than anyone else’s!!) we don’t feel exams at 7 would be helpful. I appreciate you have children at both schools so hope I have t inadvertently caused any offence! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

hi @Ealingmum19

Dukes took OHS over a year ago and there have been no changes at all as far as I can see.

The head of Dukes was very clear that the 7+ will no longer be offered after the current Y1 and R in CBPP have moved to Y3. I personally think this is a waste as CBPP does so well, each year to get boys into St Pauls, Latymer and Westminster but ... As a parent who has gone though both, if you have an able child, the 7+ is much better.

My only concern about the schools merging is that OHS will become a 3 form school and I am not sure each child can receive proper attention in a 60 child cohort. I could be wrong.

Parents are worried that the CBPP site outdoor space is too small, that is true it is small. But if younger age groups are taught there, it's fine in my view. My son never minded. The CBPP building is warm and fuzzy, I always loved the feel.

Best of luck !

@sotiredtoday Thank you ever so much for your reply. It really is incredibly helpful.

I’m glad for us both that Dukes have not had any negative impact on the school thus far!
It is a very interesting point re.3 form year - and I wonder if the younger years would be changing sites.. I appreciate that change is not always easy and not necessarily bad, but it is frustrating to be in the dark and have uncertainty about the basics. Your insights are much appreciated!

I hope both your children are enjoying their time at each school and let’s hope any changes are positive going forward!

Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

Have you considered St James in Hammersmith, lots of Chiswick families go there.

I was also going to suggest St James as an option- I live near Southfield Park and my children go there. It’s a really easy commute and we have lots of local friends. I couldn’t quite believe it when my friend saw Orchard House the other day and told me the children have their break in their classrooms? If you are willing to drive a little further then it’s worth having a look at it- my DD has cooking lessons in a cooking studio, an art room with kiln, gym and dining hall so loads of space given it’s location.

Hi , Orchard House parent here. Just wanted to confirm that the kids have their break in the play area which is quite large and not in their classrooms

Thank you @sotiredtoday for confirming! I thought that was the case from what we had seen.. maybe there was a mixup and they meant CBPP!

CBPP also plays outside for break. No one has break in their classrooms !

@sotiredtoday is that the same for Reception? My friend was quite surprised as when she went they were in their classroom at break as she was told they take it in turns to play outside in play area? But this is all second hand info so I don’t want to say the wrong thing.... maybe just a dodgy tour??! It did sound a bit odd to be honest.

Lots of schools are doing break rotations at the moment due to covid bubbles, it may not be a long-term thing.

My children started after reception so I don’t know, but would be surprised that’s normal. Ask them : the team is lovely

Hello. I went for a tour at Orchard House 2 days ago and it is true that the children have their lunch at their desk in the classroom (30 mins) then get 30 mins play time outside. As the school has a peace agreement with the neighbours the playtimes are staggered by age group. I must say I wasn't impressed by the school in general, but this lunch break situation just horrified me. It is essential that the children go to a canteen for lunch and remove themselves from the learning area, psychologically speaking for them to 'switch off' and recharge, but also from a hygeine perspective. The calssrooms were very small and stuffy, adding the smell of food into the mix I just cannot imagine being able to learn in that environment. I also find it alarming that they are not mixing with the other age groups at all- can't be good for a childs development and prepare them for high school etc?