Falkner House boys vs Wetherby (Kensington) vs Garden House

[user1494882341]

Hello! We have formal offers from Falkner House and Wetherby Kensington and we are also soon hearing back from Garden House.

My son is quite an active boy physically but at the same time I feel he could do well in an academic school (and the nursery says that academic would not be any issue for him).

I am leaning more towards Falkner House as I felt that the approach in Wetherby of constant testing was not what I wanted to go for and FH seemed to have an academic approach but putting kids through constant testing / lots of homework. It also felt like a very warm atmosphere. The fact that he is August born and very active worries me a bit.

Anyone has any thought that could help???

Thank you!!!!

Sorry, I was meant to say that FH seemed to do more indirect testing versus direct and have a lighter homework policy, whilst still being academic.

Generally, in this area - given the choice between Wetherby vs FH - most would chose Wetherby. It has years of track record, and does have options to stay on for middle and secondary.

Don’t be too swayed by what the school tells you about homework and testing. You do realise this is part of marketing.
If your boy is going to be doing 7/8+ - there is no way to avoid homework and practicing tests. Those exams are quite full on.

Thanks! I do not want my son to go through 7/8 plus (in principle) so it felt that FH was more business as usual for those that don’t want to go through that. But as you say maybe it is marketing!

I would go for FH. Yes it is new and has less track record but they aren't new in the sense that the girls school has been around forever and has outstanding results. Their 7+ results are strong and there is no reason their 11+ won't be similar. They have a very traditional, thorough approach to education but also speak honestly to parents and are down to earth.

Wetherby is a strong school too but the private equity ownership (which I know does not treat staff well in terms of pay) would put me off slightly. Slightly more 'sausage factory' due to its size and the systems pushing through to the prep (in Marylebone) and then senior- of course with lots of exit points on the way.

GH is lovely but doesn't sound like it is what you are after.

FH is small. And they only have a few boys that have gone through exams.
Yes - the girls school has been around for a long time, but it’s different beast. And, btw the girls school is known for being super selective and pressured. And underperforming girls, or parents who disagree with the HM are weeded out.
There is no parents association, etc.

The school is run by Mrs G, and parents are expected to fall in line or leave. (I am just stating it as fact, as I happen to actually like and respect Mrs G)
So - it’s unlikely that the boys school is some warm and cuddly place. It’s more likely that it needs to claim it’s market share, so they are telling parents what they want to hear.

And there is a benefit in it being a small school too, at least for some.
However, Wetherby isn’t a sausage factory. They teach boys very well. The school has great sports and extra curricular. Size and location allows for that. Small school like FH can’t match that.
And private equity ownership isn’t evil. There isn’t a huge staff turnover. And the fact that the school expanded and now has a secondary is a huge plus.

I have been through 7+ and 11+, and have seen many friends go through 7/8/11/13 over the years. And in my observation - strange as it may sound to you now - 7/8+ is less stressful for the kids. They just don’t grasp it’s significance at that age, and are less stressed than 11yos. Who by then are also becoming pre-teenage and more anxious.
Parents I do think stress a huge amount, and at all stages. I have been there.

In the end of the day - your boy will be ok in any of these schools.

We have not applied to Wetherby as it is too far to commute.
If the child goes to nursery I would ask the nursery opinion (but take it with a pinch of salt) whether they think the child would suit a large school.
I have read Wetherby got four classes each year and they offer places in the order of registration, i.e. looks like they do not meet the child before offering a place.