Primary or Prep School in SW London

[Miffywonder]

We are an Asian Singaporean family looking to move to the Wimbledon/Fulham/Putney area. Son got into KCS and will start Year 7 in Sept 2022. Daughter will start Year 5 but we have not gotten a place for her anywhere. Would like to get some input if we should go for prep or state-school? We are thinking of Ursuline Prep as it is very near to KCS, but we also wondering if a good state school maybe a better option eg Dundonald, Wimbledon Chase etc and then try for private/grammar at 11+. I think she will be ahead for Maths / Science but behind on French, History.

Would like to get some input on whether there is a lot of difference between a good state and prep? Some suggestions on good schools and where she will settle in faster? Thank you

There are lots of good state schools in Putney/ Wimbledon. I think less so in Fulham. However as she’s going into Y5 I think I’d probably try and get her in a Prep School or even a through school like Putney or Wimbledon High where she could stay into senior school. It’s not a usual entry point but they may well have occasional places.

I wouldn’t worry about her being very close to KCS as your son can easily travel there by public transport.

And also don’t worry about French/ History etc. 11plus etc only really looks Maths and English and no prep school will be super advanced at French.

It will depend on where has places. The popular state schools are likely to be full. You might get lucky and get a place but there is no guarantee. Also you would have to wait to apply until nearer the time. Generally you can apply from about June for a Sept place.

With independent schools, they are easier in that you can enquire now about places. Are you moving from abroad? They won't base admissions on proximity to the school.

Another thing to consider is prepping for the 11+. State schools won't do this directly, preps generally will, although if they have their own senior school, they don't always prep so much for external exams.

I think state schools probably will have spaces- certainly all the good ones around us always do higher up the school due to relocations, move to private etc but yes, you can’t get a place until you have an address.

Most state schools in London have spaces at the moment because a significant number of families left London during covid as new working remotely arrangements made this possible for the first time. There is actually a crisis of excess capacity in the system.

Many less selective pre-schools will be in a similar position though not the most sought after privates as occasional places tend to go quickly thought its always worth a shot. I'd find an area you genuinely like with both state and private schools that works for your son's commute and your working requirements and then ring around the schools to see where has space (both state and private). If you like Wimbledon then start there as there are good options in both sectors.

Good luck

Thank you. I did check Merton council site and was surprised that most of schools have vacancies for Year 4, so I am hoping these will carry through to Year 5 in Sept. However, for the private schools we enquired like Putney girls, Wimbledon Girls, Surbiton are all full. For state school I cannot apply now as it is too early indeed but But very helpful input on finding the area that we like first! Thank you

Definitely worth asking at the privates after Easter when people may give their terms notice to leave. People do move - abroad and out of London and won’t tell the schools until they have to.

Try Falcon Girls and Prospect House- they always seem to find spaces.

You can try The Study in Wimbledon common which is a girls schools with impressive 11+ Results usually

The Wimbledon state schools tend to have space in the upper years, as people move out of London or go private in Y4 to avoid 11+. The advantage of a state school will be that that they are very used to integrating children with many different educational backgrounds (they can’t select at all, unlike the private schools) and it will not matter at all what your DC has studied on History or French as they do very little / nothing in terms of languages, and History is done in half termly topics which are fairly stand-alone.

The disadvantage is that the state primary will not help prepare for the 11+ at all. They will ensure your child has a good grounding in the Maths and English for Y5 and the start of Y6, but exam technique, VR/NVR and the later Y6 Maths will all be missing. Some or all of these are needed for 11+ exams (depending on the school to which you’re applying). A parent or a tutor can fill this gap, but you will need to organise that. Whereas a prep school will spend school time doing all these things. A prep school attached to the senior school may not do as much prep, as they will want to send their pupils on to their attached senior school.

@Miffywonder hi how did it go for ur DD eventually? I'm in the same boat now. Did u go private or state? How did it help? Plz tell everything as desperate for guidance