Bridging the gap

[Apples2021]

We are currently discussing whether to send our 3 year old to an independent prep or to the local primary in 2022. We are leaning towards state primary and then independent senior school at 11.

If we choose the state primary, does anyone have any tips for bridging the gap between state and independent? What can we do as parents to bridge the gap? Any after school activities, trips, holidays etc.? Any ideas really welcome. Thanks

@LondonGirl83

I told the poster "If you're in SE London have you looked at Jags prep for your DD? Or Alleyn's for both of them ( potentially sibling discounts) Dulwich Prep for your DS?"

I'm aware they are different schools, my good friend teaches at one of them, and I clearly said 'potentially sibling' , JAGS was a contender for our DD, but she got into Bute before we could even apply, I'm not expert on the school, but I'm not sure what you're actually trying to tell me???

[quote DaddyPhD]@LondonGirl83

I told the poster "If you're in SE London have you looked at Jags prep for your DD? Or Alleyn's for both of them ( potentially sibling discounts) Dulwich Prep for your DS?"

I'm aware they are different schools, my good friend teaches at one of them, and I clearly said 'potentially sibling' , JAGS was a contender for our DD, but she got into Bute before we could even apply, I'm not expert on the school, but I'm not sure what you're actually trying to tell me??? [/quote]
By JAGS I mean JAPS. As Londoners we were prepared to move around depending where DD got into. We looked at top preps that fed girls into the schools we hoped for. Of course we have no idea what school our DD will be suitable for, still don't!

Thank you, the dulwich preps seem a bit too fancy for what I think we need but will certainly check out. I do know a couple of parents in real life with children there but just think we are so different to them, but I should ask them.

Apologies OP for hijacking!

@DaddyPhD you said:

“ I mentioned JAPS (Alleyns prep) as both your DC can go to the same school and although they don't do sibling discount, all Indie schools look favourably on an applicant with a sibling already at the school”

Reading this it wasn’t clear what you meant by the kids could go to the same school etc. The Dulwich schools can be a bit confusing so I was just trying to clear up any misunderstandings.

@PerilousPlot

I’d say the parents are fairly down to earth for private school parents at these schools (I am one and have friends with kids at all of them). The vast majority of kids have two working parents (though most mums seem to work 3-4 days rather than full time). Lots and lots of lawyers and doctors but also media types, architects, senior civil servants, actuaries, bankers and investment / financial types. At the junior school the vast majority of kids come from Herne Hill, East Dulwich, the Village, Peckham and West Dulwich and don’t live in mega mansions or anything. Alleyns attracts the odd celebrity parent from time to time. Racially Alleyns and JAPs are pretty diverse (30-40 percent BAME as well as good number of international parents). PM me if you’d like.

The preps... they'd still have to take the entrance exams for DC, JAGs and Alleyns, right?

At Alleyns they sit the test but have a guaranteed place so it’s a true through school.

At Jags the head is fairly open that they manage girls out in around year 5 who they don’t think can keep up at the senior school so it’s worth keeping in mind.

For DC it’s always been the case that if you got into DUCKs you had to do the 7+ still but after that I believe you were through to 18. I’ve heard that may be changing though but only through the rumour mill so don’t take it as gospel.

@LondonGirl83

I see. Sorry, I wasn't clear and you clearly know more about the schools than me.

JAGS and Alleyn's are brilliant schools and any parent with a DC placed has done very, very well.

@DaddyPhD no problem!