Primary education in Sale, Manchester

[LilJohnnyDory]

Hi.
We're considering sending our son to a prep school in Sale, Manchester, in 2023. We've looked at Forest Park Prep and really liked it.
Neither of us attended prep/private schools though and we're having some misgivings.
Primary schools in Sale are really good and we're wondering whether it's worth sending him to a prep school at all. Ultimately we would like for him to attend a grammar school. With that in mind, I have some questions. I'd be very grateful if people could offer their views.

1. Are prep schools generally worth the expense?
2. What can you tell me about Forest Park Prep?
3. We're not going to get him into Altrincham Prep School, but would you consider any other prep schools in Trafford in preference to Forest Park?
4. How difficult is it to get a child from outside a catchment area into a primary school? Thanks in advance.

If the end goal is to get the child into grammar school from outside Trafford, have a look at the catchment areas first and whether your DS would be eligible from your current address (unless you're looking to move before he has to apply). There are fewer places available of late to out-of-catchment children. I say that because it may well be worth saving the primary school fees and spending them on private secondary school fees instead.

Generally speaking the state primary schools are oversubscribed but this is a useful link to show how places were allocated and how close you needed to be for a place. this

Thank you

Go state. Pay for a tutor.