Hello all, looking for some advice as I find myself in a dilemma! My DS currently attends nursery at a local prep school. We’ve been told by his teachers that he is ‘academically advanced’ and would do well at a school that would stretch him. We have therefore obtained a place at a pre-prep which is non selective but has a stellar destinations list for leavers at 7+ and 8+. I don’t want to disclose the name of the prep as it is potentially outing, but I have visited with my ds and I like the teachers and nurturing approach. It is a bit further from home though, a 35-40 min commute.Prior to applying to the prep, we also applied for a place in Reception/MS at the FB, and were offered a place via the Marie d’Orliac route (NB: Dh is French and went to school in France, though he does not really speak French at home and has not taught this to DS). I’ve researched the french educational system v English system and while there are positives, I’m concerned about the emphasis on learning by rote and the harsh attitudes of the teachers, no pastoral care. Fees are c 50% less than the pre prep and it is closer to home, being a 30 min commute. However, the school has been difficult to communicate with and a recent request to visit the school seems to have been ignored….they have a play session organised in tjr next few months but I would like to visit and see the school in action and speak yo the teachers, as I did in the pre prep…
So my dilemma is where do I send DS? Dh thinks that DS would do well in the FB as he seems academic and would then have the option to go directly to the lycee francais if he wishes, though I’d prefer DS to stay within British system and sit the 11+ (I understand this will require heavy tutoring given the disparity between English /french curriculum at this stage). I am leaning towards the pre prep as I think that would equip DS to reach his full potential and because the British system is of course familiar, but my head says I should seriously consider FB due to the bilingual aspect, lower fees and locality. I am however a bit bothered by the attitude of the school to date plus the fact that my DS is motivated by praise and positivity (which I understand doesn’t really happen in french schools, it is more focus on weak points). Any thoughts?