Bute house 4+

[Katisnew]

Hi, I would like to know if the girls are local at this stage or from further away. It has huge reputation but how difficult can the social life of kid be if we are in Wimbledon and going to this school.

My daughter has been at Bute from reception through year 6 (this year)

We love Bute but I would have to say that Wimbledon seems quite far of a commute for reception. There are going to be lots of parties and play dates in West London. Plus lots of events you need to attend. Are you truly able to handle that?

But if we were to move closer to the area, would you say that school definitely helped develop/shape your child ? Can I ask where is she moving next?

Yes we have loved the school. My daughter is going to Cheltenham Ladies.

Bute is an incredible school. We have loved it and it stands head and shoulders above our other DC's prep school. It gets the balance of really strong academics and ambition for girls, with nurturing, fun and really knowing the girls and looking after them. We have been there through covid years and are so glad our DD is now getting her last two years to properly enjoy it all.

That said, not sure it is worth travelling from Wimbledon for aged 4. There are other lovely preps down that way and you can always then consider bute at 7+. We were commuting from Kew originally and moved as that was too much. It was certainly a school worth moving house for though.

@TurquoiseLion We can look into moving houses at a later stage but thanks for telling that it’s worth moving house. Lot of nice things being told about the school which is good to know. Is there something that you don’t like about the school?

@TurquoiseLion - what other prep schools? Can you name a few?

The new head is absolutely brilliant. It's definitely worth the move. There are people south of the Thames, but being further north helps. We put 2x SPGS.

I've heard more mixed things about the new head. We are perfectly happy- some people like to nit pick more and are constantly terrified of academics dropping!

But having had that comparison of bute and another top prep, it is head and shoulders above. The education is thorough and ambitious, support is there for any level and the girls are so much less worried about what set they are in and just get on with it- some parents not so less competitive though!! But you can ignore that.

The new head is much more willing to seek feedback from parents and students. The old head almost never wanted to hear anyone else's opinion.

The new head is also much more realistic about families doing extra work for the 11+. The old head just repeated over and over "don't tutor your kids", which is simply unrealistic in West London prep schools applying to the top schools.

As for academics dropping...that seems like a bizarre and completely unfounded concern.

Bute is worth moving for, especially with the new School Head, Ms Bradshaw. DD thru to SPGS via Bute.

@Katisnew We are Wimbledon area and have a dd at SPGS (via a local state primary) so know the public transport journey well. It would be very tiring for a 4yo and a really long day, especially as you can’t guarantee a seat coming home. I’d not consider it, personally. I also wouldn’t give up four (or more) hours a day to drive a child to school, if there was any other option.

Hi parents, Can anyone share their experience and DD experience for 7+ interview. My daughter has interview next week and will appreciate any advise from your experience with 7+ bute interview in the past. THank you