Pre-prep in Warwickshire

[Kayeeg]

Hi everyone,

We are currently in the process of vetting out which school would be most suitable for our DD (2.5yrs) to start nursery next year. We are looking to go indie and the ones we are considering are Bablake Prep, Warwick Prep and Bilton Grange. We wanted to see what everyone’s opinions are for these schools and their corresponding senior schools, preferably from experience. Ideally we would like to keep DD in the same system (obviously will depend on her performance and preference), as we think it would be easier for her with less transition.

We have links with Bablake, but as it is now merged with King Henry we don’t know what things are like anymore and so are considering other options in the area. We are not worried about travelling to the other schools as we might be relocating anyway.

Have you looked at Crackley Hall (part of Princethorpe) also?

Bablake seems to be relatively separate to Henry’s at the moment, I have friend with children in the lower years and they don’t feel that much has changed.

Bilton I know purely from away sports fixtures and it looks very impressive, but no experience beyond that.

My advice would be to focus on choosing the right school for your child as they are now rather than thinking about secondary school when they are still so young. I realise that the idea of all through school is appealing, but I think it’s more important to consider the best option for your child at each stage of their development.

Thank you @BangingOn

We have looked at Crackley Hall, but feels the facilities are not as fantastic as Bilton or Warwick, so we would be considering Bablake first before Crackley. We have also considered Kingsley in Leamington, which I understand is part of the Warwick Foundation now? However it doesn’t seem to be as academic as we would like.

At the moment my favourite is Bilton Grange, as it seems they have a better focus on creating a childhood outside of academic classes but children are still encouraged to learn. For secondary, a long way off I realise and things can change, King’s High seems more appealing because of the strong reputation for STEM subjects and emphasis on raising strong female characters. Although personally I had always been the only girl in STEM classes and that never really bothered me nor knock my confidence. Also by the time DD gets to secondary, the sex ratio on STEM subjects will probably be a bit more balanced than now. My main worry is DD will have the added pressure to take the entrance exam and fight for a place if we do decide to send her to Bilton then King’s, of course at that age she will also have a say.

Perhaps I am worried too much about the future, and like you had said what we need to do now is to decide on the best school for her at this current stage.

You may have less competition at Kings after Bilton if you choose to keep your DD on to yr 9, which is when Bilton ends.

Bilton is a beautiful school, amazing sports facilities and they tend to win quite a lot too - a competitive sports department. I have heard of some bullying there and one girl who goes to DD’s current school was particularly affected by it. May have been the previous headmaster in charge at that point.

Bablake and Henry’s appear to be quietly and slowly rolling back on the merger. In a statement recently parents were told they would now be referred to as separate schools - don’t know if the new sign they’ve paid for will be taken down. The cost of the rebrand and project has now landed with parents as the fees are going up by quite a bit next year.

Are you considering Rugby as a continuation from Bilton Grange? It’s a beautiful school with an excellent reputation.

I would prioritise your child’s needs now and worry about secondary once you know who they are as an older child rather than a pre-schooler. At the age of 2.5 I would choose a school based on ethos and happiness of children first, facilities second and academics last.

@Warwickshiremum

That is certainly a plan. I expect by that point DD would want to have a say as well.

Bilton seems to be amazing, though bullying is always a worry! Did you know what the school did in this instance to help? Appreciate things might be different with the new headmaster.

I have heard that bullying is an issue at King’s High, but again I don’t know how the school dealt with the instances.

Interesting update on Bablake and King Henry! I wonder if it means they are parting ways now? Or going to operate separately but under the same foundation somehow.

We are considering Rugby as a possible continuation, as Bilton has the affiliation and we’ve heard very good things about Rugby. Although the cost is quite a bit higher especially compared to Bablake and King Henry’s.

@BangingOn

That is very sensible advice. We will take another look at the options with those priorities in mind.

You’re really lucky that you have a wide choice of good schools available and far less stress and angst over admissions than in some areas of the country.

Twycross is just over the border into Leicestershire but could be worth a look. Very academic with lots of homework, but the right child thrives there.

Bablake is a lovely school and the children I know there are very happy. My only watch out would be the way the foundation handled the merger, with such poor communication and overwhelming arrogance, and whether they will try something similar in the future.

@BangingOn

We really are lucky, and to be in a position to deliberate between these great schools! Not considered anything in Leicestershire but can’t hurt to look.

We were set on going to Bablake, my cousins and DH all went there and had a great time, but this merger has thrown a massive spanner in the works and we feel uncomfortable going into the unknown with them. There doesn’t seem to be much different apart from the change of names? Maybe I am wrong, but if that’s the case then is the merge purely for financial efficiency?

DS is at a different prep, so I can only comment on the experience of several friends with DC there and I know they have been very unhappy over the way things have been handled. Would it put me off sending DS there entirely? Probably not, but it would be a consideration.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on what to ask and look for at open events please.