Different schools for 2 children?

[Confused63]

I’m really torn on what to do. We’ve decided to move daughter from state to independent for many reasons and we are definitely happy with the choice we are considering.

We’ve had our eye on a prep school which requires her to pass the 7+ examinations. She also tried the exam for some private all through schools as well just for practice sake.

Surprisingly she passed two selective independent all through schools exams, one of which is Chigwell school. She had no tutoring and honestly I wasn’t expecting it at all, it was just for practice. The dilemma is we have to accept the offer before she does the exam for prep school. Everyone we have spoken to including a person who works in the prep school has told me the only reason there are places in the prep school is due to children leaving and going to the selective all through schools at 7+ and most people in my situation would choose the all through rather than prep. I’m so torn on what to do. I’m considering accepting chigwell school for my daughter and she can start at year 3 and for my youngest daughter to start the prep school I’ve had my eye on. Would it work going to 2 different schools (4.6 miles apart)? Is it better to keep them together? The prep school is roughly 1.2k. Cheaper a term too.

I think two schools nearly 5 miles apart will be a bit of a nightmare, to be honest!

Is there an all-through that both your children can attend that you’d be happy with? Where do the majority of kids from the prep go to at age 11?

Keep them together- events, parents evenings etc won’t clash, life will be easier.

@Friendshipqn

I think two schools nearly 5 miles apart will be a bit of a nightmare, to be honest!

Is there an all-through that both your children can attend that you’d be happy with? Where do the majority of kids from the prep go to at age 11?

Majority of the kids go to Chigwell school after 11+.

I have about that distance between my 2 boys' schools and it only works because DH and I take one school run each. Both of us WFH most of the time. I find it hard to be 'in the zone' with two schools tbh. Parent groups, social events, different holiday dates. All a bit much really. DS2 is joining DS1 in Sept anyway as he'll be old enough. Couldn't do it for much longer than a year I don't think.

What age is your younger daughter? Could you start her at Chigwell too?

Do you absolutely have to accept before the prep school entrance exam? You could contact the all through schools and tell them you need more time.

RE two schools, that can work ok (depending on start times) if one is right next to your house, if you are a two parent household both available for the school run, or if one or both of the schools has transport on offer e.g. a minibus.

Otherwise it's a bit of a nightmare at early primary.