Prep in SW and South London （Twickenham prep, Homefield, Banstead, Aberdour, Bishopsgate)

[WCC1985]

We will move to UK in the coming summer and will probably live in Sutton/Kingston/SW London. My son will be in year 6 and wants to look for a prep. Some that goes only to 11 do not accept year 6 admission while some do not have spaces in the year group of both my 2 sons, year 2 and year 6).

The following do have spaces：Twickenham Prep, Homefield, Banstead, aberdour, and further out, Bishopsgate. Any advice?

Also, there were some saying here that those prep that goes up to 13 will discourage students applying for Year 7 or even ill prepare them. Is that true or just rumours？

Go with the school that sounds the most keen to take on your ds and support him through a busy Autumn term - be aware the grammar exams start in Sept / Oct so any prep school won't be much help. Also note that from Feb half term (for the rest of the year) once the places are gained the schools turn to a more fun curriculum with school trips, plays etc so you will be paying for that rather than exam prep.

Banstead and Aberdour are the only 2 that ends at year 6 but still willing to accept year 6 applications (among many schools we asked) and Banstead seems more proactive in evening asking which secondary schools we target even in this enquiry stage. My worry is, if my boy didn't get any good secondary school, he either needs to settle with a less desirable school or find another prep that goes to 13 (and then apply schools that reserve some spaces in Y9 for those not taking or failed pretests in Y6).

All the above schools that goes to 13 welcome my son's application and it seems none is keen (upon enquiry) to assist before Y6 start. Maybe they are expecting my son to stay until 13, and don't mind my son not doing 11+ or even 13+ deferred entry tests?

I have also asked a number of preps that go to 13 and some (probably more selective ones?) also do not admit year 6 (as they expect them to have well prepared for the pre-test) or do not entertain remote assessment.

There is space for everyone, your ds will get a space at a school at 11 if you want one. Speak to Ewell Castle as your secondary back up school (not for prep though). The 13plus entrance exams are at the same time so you have to decide soon if you are going down that route soon. Otherwise all the preps that go to 13 take more boys into year 7, it's not a problem.