Private primary from year 3 in Manchester

[Mumtodd0723]

Hello everyone, my dd is in an ofsted outstanding state school. But there are no good secondary schools in our area, hence deciding to put her in private prep ( MHSG, moor allerton, forest park prep, forest prep) Any reviews about these private prep schools would be great. Also what’s the assessment like in selective prep like MHSG for year 3 admissions? Thanks!

MHSG is very good, but no experience of their year 3 admissions. It’s not a standard entrance point so I think you’d just have to see if there were spaces available, and if so DD would do an assessment.

Have you thought of Withington? They start in year 3, they’ve no infants department, and your DD would then be in with everyone else as a new girl.

Thank you vinoandbrie. I will look into Withington as well. Would you happen to have reviews for other prep schools like Moor allerton ?

If her state primary is outstanding, would it not be better to keep her there and then pay for any additional tuition she might need to year 6 to help get her into the best possible secondary school?

I’m afraid I can’t comment on the others as I’ve no direct experience.

What I can say is that at MHSG, once in, although the girls sit the senior school entrance exam, they are guaranteed a senior school place. This takes off a lot of pressure in year six, and allows the curriculum offered by the prep to be broader than the schools with no senior department, where they are very much having to teach to the senior school tests.

Yes thank you, that’s an option we are considering as well. I just felt that a private prep from year 3 would give her practice during her school time plus more facilities for a well rounded education in extra curricular activities too, rather than tutoring her after school in later years. That’s why looking into all options before taking a decision.

I'm quite shocked that you don't think there are any good state schools in South Manchester / Trafford! Plenty of parents tutor and get into Alt6 grammars or opt for one of several good solid local high schools.

MHSG has a very good reputation and take from tiny. Stockport Grammar and Cheadle Hulme are also good.

Major difference between Moor Allerton, MHSG and WGS is co-ed vs single sex.

And the children at MoorA are mainly tutored for entrance exams from my experience via friends. There are children who move to MGS / WG etc also to help get into the senior sections. Ladybarn House is similar ; very academic to push kids into the selective private grammars

Thanks all for your suggestions.
@bombaychef we would need to move house to south Manchester/ Trafford and get in catchment for good state school plus middle of year they might not have a place. Hence thinking to go private.

Apologies OP I assumed you lived in the South Manchester / Trafford area, looking at which prep schools you were looking at. Some are feeders for Trafford Grammars as well as private schools.
If she sent to Forest / MA a huge % live locally