Prep Schools in Bromley, Orpington, SE

[RishMum]

Hi Mums,

My DD starts reception in Sept 2023 and currently we live in an area worst rated for schools. We are looking to move in the next year or so for better school prospects, inclining more towards prep / private sector for smaller class sizes, wraparound care and overall extra curricular development. We have friends in Bromley Orpington and know that its a great area for schools but dont know much else. All my friends children go to state schools and couple go to boys preps. Any recommendations about which schools we can start looking at in the areas or anywhere around in SE / Kent? Thinking long term with grammars / good secondaries in mind. Also, am I too late to register anywhere?

Confused and borderline stressed! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
R

Hello Mum, we have been in a similar situation from past many months and after some research we are planning to move to Sutton. Bromley was on our list too but I discussed this with another mom who moved there an year ago but her feedback was an eye opener. The moved really close to an outstanding primary but because the schools were over subscribed they didnt get a place and got a primary which wasn't very high on academics. Though she is really happy with the pastrol care provided in the new school but wanted a better school on academic front.

Also, the thing is you really cant rely on state primaries when planning to move house as most of them are oversubscribed.

But your DD is quite young and may be will have a better chance score a place in your desired primary school.

Wishing you all the very best!

@LearnToBeMum thanks so much for your feedback and thoughts. We have Sutton on our list too. Just that we do not have any friends in the area and have never been so not sure how it is in terms of living / community etc. I know it has some of the really good primary and grammar schools.

Do you know which schools in Sutton you will be applying to? Are you going state or private route or both? Would love to know more about thoughts on areas and options that you shortlisted for schools.

PS - I would definitely want a school which is high on academics though with good balance on all other activities (not sure if such schools exist..lol)

We don't have actual friends but found some contacts to help with our decision. Another reason we decided against Orpington is because we wanted to stay a bit close to Central London, as in post pandemic if offices open and DH have to go.

Earlier we were looking for State Primaries - Westbourne, Avenue, Manor Park are really good (rated outstanding) but other than that Cheam Farm park and there are 2 more academies with a similar name that are managed by the same trust Leo something .. and they have really good feedback.

Not only outstanding but even good rated primaries are pretty good.

For my elder DS we are planning to go private Y2 but for my younger DS (starting Nursery in Sep ) will go to state primary, probably Cheam Farm Park (whichever will be closer to our place) .

Heheh.. looking for right kind of school without being a part of school is really tough.

@LearnToBeMum thank you for your input and thoughts about Kent. I agree about closeness to central. We are currently in East London and pretty convenient commute to Central. Moving SE will be a big jump for work commute.

I read on another thread that you are moving from Feltham. May I ask, did you consider Harrow as well? Since it seems closer to where you are and I hear its another great area for primary, secondary and privates as well? Any thoughts on that?

Also, do you know if privates still look at catchments for admission consideration and if privates in sutton have entry interviews for 4 yr olds?

@RishMum Yes, thats why I am able to share these details with you because when we planned to go to an area with good secondaries ( as there are barely any in Feltham especially good ones) we explored the options like Kent, Slough, BuckinghamShire, Sutton, Kingston etc.

Harrow also crossed our mind but if we look at Grammar schools there weren't much options and we don't plan to go for Secondary in Private.

Private/Independent Schools don't have catchment and some do have Coach service to take kids living at a distance but I guess it is in Kids interest to stay close to the schools.

In Sutton, we looked at the Private Schools especially Prep ones (not all through to GCSE) and the only good one I could find is Homefield.(for Boys). There is one in Banstead too.

There are more options for private/ independent schools in Wimbeldon (Rokeby, King’s House, Willington, Wimbelon Common etc) and Kingston like Surbiton (boys prep but all through for girls).

I have no idea about 4+ admissions in Independent in Sutton but I guess there are only few feeder schools (prep) to SPJ and KCS who have such criteria, rest shall be all fine!

You have some great state primary schools in the area such as Crofton. If you want preps then Farringtons is a good place to start with a view if they are very bright to moving somewhere like Eltham college when they open for entries at Y3.

@PettsWoodParadise thanks a lot. I had not looked at Farringtons. Will check it out.