Fulham prep vs Parsons Green prep

[Manamama]

Hi Fulham/PG mummies
Does anyone know which of the two schools is better for pre-prep? In terms of academics, diversity and friendliness? Most of the threads here were quite old so thought of starting new discussion.

Hi Manamama. We have two kids at PGP and could not rate it more highly. It's a lovely nurturing school with a great feeling of community, and the children there achieve academically without a sense of stress and anxiety. They are big on helping children build emotional intelligence, and resilience, which we are really happy with. They also have a great new head, Matthew Faulkner, who came from Summerfield school in Oxford, which is giving the school a real sense of direction from the top which it lacked a few years ago. I hope this is helpful. Do ask if you want to know anything more.

OP bear I mind that Fulham Prep changed ownership relatively recently and is now part of a bigger group. Not sure what it means but some of those Fulham Prep posts will be outdated.

I heard from a friend with two kids there now and who was there before the change ownership that they seem to be a lot more money oriented now, and that they did not manage well the school COVID discounts (that all schools offered to different degrees, including FP). When I checked they were only going for a 10% discount, not sure they changed that but you can ask. So If I was you I would assume that if you stay for the prep, fees will go up and they will try to charge more, also because they can offer all through secondary as insurance. Changes of management also in the prep, not sure what is the pecking order at the moment, but another point to research on, if management is stabilised now. I would also research the group that owns them and check how and what they did in their other schools. Best of luck!

Hi. I can’t speak for Fulham Prep as my kids haven’t been there. But I can highly recommend PGP. Actually, I cannot fault it. Excellent leavers destinations and scholarships awarded, small class sizes, very kind / nurturing environment, fantastic location and wrap around walled garden (lots of outdoor space for London!), progressive thinking, excels in STEM, top quality teachers and brilliant head (Matthew Faulkner, previously at Sussex House and Notting Hill Prep). The principal Tim Cannell is an ISI inspector so he knows how to run a school! Ask for a tour! You will like what you see! Good luck deciding!!!

@Holymama and @TrufflesMumma : would you know how many children Parsons Green Prep accept at Reception year?
I am asking because I have heard they take 30, but in Leavers 2022 list there are 15 accepted offers only.
Also interested how the school treats pupils who try 7+ or 8+ exams to next schools?
I am no very keen on 7+ but if my DS turns out to be in the top of his class I would like him to try, because the top schools admit more pupils at 7+ than at 11+.

Hi @Lily7050 . I'm afraid I'm rather out of date with PGP as our 2 have now moved on. Our ds to a specialist dyslexia school and our dd to secondary having received 4 offers for the 4 schools she tried out for. So we were very happy with the school. I'm not sure how many kids they're now taking on at Reception but what we liked about it is they don't have to sit any kind of 3+ there! And I'm afraid I have no idea about 7+ or 8+ as most kids were so happy there they didn't leave!

Thank you @Holymama . It is reassuring to hear your positive feedback. These days they do play dates and ballot to select children as they get more than one application per place.
My DS attends a day nursery (part-time) and a school nursery (part-time) reports and both report that he is ahead of his age in math and English. That's why I think he might benefit from moving to an academic school at 7+.