Best Prep School in/close to SW6 for a boy

[Lily7050]

The boy is just over 1 year old. I registered him for Fulham Prep and Garden House School. Registration for Thomas's Fulham opens in September.
Fulham Prep and Thomas's Fulham are close to our home. I chose Garden House because their results seemed good and I know their co-owner and an ex (retired) Head Mistress.
Ideally I would like to find an all-rounded school that is good academically as well in case the boy turns out to be academically strong.
I noticed Fulham Prep is still "temporary closed" which is a bit worrying given the low risk of COVID-19 at the moment.

Any other recommendations for a good private school close to SW6 are welcome.

A lot of families that live in Fulham go to some of the Putney preps and pre-preps eg Merlín School. It depends also on wether you want to do 7/8+ or not and whether you agree with putting them on a path so early on, before you know if they are actually ready or capable.

I'd say wait a bit. I registered in Putney / Fulham area when my boys were very little and dumped a load of registration fees and then we moved! There isn't the frenzy for places that some would have you believe and so many people register and move on. A year or two in advance is plenty of time.
As well as the ones you mentioned there's also Roche, Hurlingham, Lion House and Prospect House. Depends which path you want to follow as PP said. 7/8+ 11+ or 13+. That should drive the choice somewhat. I loved Merlin too. Take a look around when this CV stuff is all over.

Most with academic ambitions tend to go for Merlin in Putney or Falkner House near Earl's Court, even if they live in SW6. Thomas's and Fulham Prep for those who want a local, friendly and sporty school that is less academic and doesn't require sitting for the 7+.

Herein lies the dilemma.

Short term achievement if you go for 7+ and get in, versus long term investment in an emotionally more stable child, with your results and efforts never ever confirmed by an exam or the like, only by the conviction that on balance your child will have had better chances and more happiness in life later on, while taking a gamble that you will catch up later in 11+/13+ etc and will not be thrown out by the "system".

We are going through that dilemma right now with our DD, who unfortunately has the difficult profile of being "bright" and "capable" but also needs a LOT of nurturing and emotional support.

Oh decisions decisions!

Many thanks Stilllookingfor, sanam2019 and Delta1.
I have come across this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3928962-Advice-on-South-London-Primary-Schools.
It looks like Roche and Merlin still have places for September 2020. I guess they are not oversubscribed like Thomas's.
It is difficult to tell whether one year old will be academic or sporty. Also it is difficult to choose since schools are closed for visitors.
I think Merlin accepts registrations up to 18 months before start of Reception. I like that Roche's and Merlin's fees are more affordable. Of course, I cannot tell either where we will be financially in three years time but don't want to be in situation that we are able to pay but the child cannot get into a good school because I did not register him early enough.
Falkner House and Roche are about half hour walk from our house. Merlin is 43 minutes so we may need to use tube as traffic can be very busy between Fulham and Putney.
I would like to have a local and friendly school where academic side is not compromised.
Yesterday I actually registered the child with Falkner House. Maybe will register with Roche as well. I like that the children can stay till 11+. 7-8 seems to be very young to go through stressful exams.

My son is at FH, thriving there. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions

We live out in Berkshire, and many of the local prep schools (usually for year 3+) have buses in from Putney and Fulham - since they're going against the traffic it's not too long a drive.

Look at Newton Prep too, particularly if there’s a sister following after.

Last I heard Merlin had headteacher issues, and people were very worried and unhappy. I would ensure they have a good replacement candidate in place as their longstanding and well regarded head left in the recent past.

Fulham Prep gets very good results at 11+ and 13+ and does great in balancing academics with sport and the arts. Children go on to all the top London schools. Its not like some schools where 40% of the class go on to Kings etc, but several kids go on to each of the top London senior schools (eg its not concentrated in just a couple of schools). That being said its not a pushy school. They very much tailor your child's education to their ability and provide support if needed (on either end of the spectrum). They also have a great variety of clubs from a variety of sports to arts, music (singing and various instruments), and cooking.

Fulham Prep children are generally very sweet and kind, and the parents tend to be very friendly. The school is social and has a lot of events for the school community. It tends not to do tons of marketing or promotion of itself so I find most people do not really know how much is on offer in the school. We think its a great school overall.