Garden House School or Thomas's Kensington for our boy?

[Happyfeet9090]

Garden House School or Thomas's Kensington for our boy?

We have offers from both Garden House School and Thomas's Kensington for our boy.
We are finding it hard to decide between the two. Parents seem to have rather different views on both. Some say GHS is too academic, others say that Thomas's is by far not sufficiently so; some say GHS is a happy school, others say Thomas's is a much "happier" school and known as such...But they also say at Thomas's parents are hardly part of the school and hardly involved or even shared much feedback with.. Whereas at GHS parents are very much partners and much involved in the school and their child's progress.
Of course, also boys vs co-ed. GHS says they have joined co-ed activities - but how much do boys and girls really interact?

Our child is very happy and outgoing, inquisitive and very bright with many interests. However, for the early years, we would like a nurturing happy school above all. We would like him to be at a place where there is an opportunity to "light a spark" and not simply "fill a bucket"..

We also have Notting Hill Prep as an option, but we worry about the busy location and no school bus.

Can you help?

DISCLAIMER: This is based on a good experience with GHS over several years.

Parent involvement in GHS starts from the 4+ interview process and continues as a recurring theme throughout. I honestly believe they look for hands on parents which leads to good parent involvement.

Outcomes are comparable or good compared to other schools for being a lot less of a "hot house" -- based on what peers are doing I wouldn't call GHS "academic." But Thomas's is also an example of a school that isn't a "hot house" either.

Social children can interact regularly with the opposite gender (the same as any co-ed school at this age) -- this happens at both drop off and lunch. As they get older there's more cross over with events and clubs.

At this age I would say prioritise a school close to home -- as these schools are 2 miles apart I assume one is closer.

The other issue is outdoor space -- GHS has access to the Royal Hospital and Burton Court. Thomas's Kensington doesn't have as much outdoor space s Battersea.

Then there's keeping an eye on the next stage -- GHS boys tend to leave at 8+ rather than 7+ so make sure your next choice has entry at that point (or you're ok with doing most prep at home for a 7+ exit).

Thomas's Kensington seems to be a good choice if the next stage is going to be Thomas's Battersea (which has more outdoor space and houses older children).

Thank you elij, much appreciated. Re GHS hands on parents sounds great, outdoors space too, co-ed to some extent hopefully, both schools seem pretty similar on academics, regarding 8+ GHS is now going to a prep 11+ plus model I think?

@Happyfeet9090
I don't know Garden House at all but I wholeheartedly endorse Thomas's Kensington. Our DS attended Thomas's Kensington before leaving to a highly academic day school at 11+.

In choosing a prep school, wellbeing was always our number one priority and our own experience at Thomas's was certainly that "happy children learn best". It is noticeable that the lack of a very formal blazer/headgear lends the Thomas's DCs a more informal air than some of the other preps, compounded by a few hours having fun in Kensington Gardens at the end of the school day, when the weather allows.

In terms of his year group, the children were a real cross-section, some more academic, some more sporty and some more artistic, but overall friendly, confident and kind. I found the parents to be generally quite engaged in the school although some clearly have more free time than others.

I felt our DS was free to develop his own talents without any pressure of high expectations from the school. As he progressed through the school (say by Y4), it became clear that his skills and passions were developing more in an academic direction (without any tutoring) and the school supported us in applying for the more academically selective schools, for which he received offers, including his preferred choice. As a result, the 11+ experience for our family was remarkably not too stressful. The experience was so positive, however, we would have been happy to keep him on to either 13+ at Battersea or even in the new secondary school.

I would summarise Thomas's Kensington as ideal if you want your DC to be supported to thrive in their own direction as their interests and talents allow, and form fond memories of their young childhood. It's perhaps not the right school if, as a parent, you're less engaged with your DC, want all their friends to be highly academic and have very specific expectations about which secondary school the DC "should" attend.

We visited Garden House School on 30th November 2021. The new Headmaster mentioned that they will stop to prepare boys for 8+.

@Happyfeet9090: would you remember if GHS contacted you in January 2021 for October 2021 interview?
If I remember correctly during the school visit we were told they would contact us in summer.
However I looked at their website and it says" Contacted in - January, Interview - October". Just wondering if we missed their letter or the information on the website is outdated.