Tunbridge Wells best independent primary schools?

[SpringinMadrid]

I am looking for at independent primary schools for my DS. He's 3.5 years so starting the process of booking in visits for the autumn, but would be great to get some inside info. My DS is very bright and a little shy - but good at interacting when in the right (perhaps smaller group) friendly, nurturing environment so good to take that into account when looking at schools!

Any advise/ experiences with The Mead, Rose Hill, Holmewood House (or any other nearby independent school) would be great in terms of friendliness/ how nurturing the school is, friendliness of the other parents, strength academically and roundedness (some schools independent schools can have an extreme emphasis on excelling in sports).

Many thanks!

The Mead is on a very busy road and parking is impossible ,so unless you walk to school it is a no !
Rosehill is in a lovely environment but lots of controversy about the head teacher !
Holmewood House is lovely in Langton Green and has fabulous facilities.
Lots of brilliant primary schools in and around Tun Wells ..definitely do not rule them out!!

Thanks that's really helpful. I had heard mixed things about Holmewood House in terms of pastoral care and friendliness of parents. But this might be a bit out of date?

What’s best to know is that there’s negatives about all 3 of these, and I think all 3 have threads that rip them to pieces on here and threads that love them, pretty much like all preps in the country!

Im not in the area now but experience and knowledge is recent.

From my experience and your description, I would look closely at Rose Hill or The Mead…..my experience with Holmewood is less and it would be unfair to go with rumour. It’s unfair to go entirely with rumours or online banter from strangers for any school. Holmewood has previously had a reputation as a hot house, which I believe has been squashed. It’s the most expensive by a long shot, astronomical by Year 5. Amazing facilities yes. Full sized swimming pool, amazing grounds, theatre and stage, buildings and classrooms on par with the other two largely - some classrooms are newer and swanky, some are a bit more tired which is common across the board tbh and isn’t an issue for me. I know some who love it, I know some who have said it’s overrated for the price, some say it’s a very lovely place to be if you are the right type of family, whatever that means. It’s the largest, 3 classes a year. Year 7 and 8 are very healthy sizes. Mostly used by families who want independent schools all the way through. New head teacher this academic year. Known as the pushiest and the school for the wealthiest. Both could be unfair things to say.

The Mead is physically the smallest, but they have made damn good use of their space. It’s on a main road, doesn’t have much land at all. No pool, no proper field, I think they do some fixtures off property but not totally certain on that. Very grammar focused - a good option if the 11plus and state grammar is your aim. Has had a few bumps in the last few years with multiple head teacher changes. Don’t know the reason. It’s the cheapest, something to consider. No Year 7 and 8.

Rose Hill has taken some bumps too but is picking up and numbers are growing. Year 7 and 8 shrunk majorly and is now a very discounted rate and rebuilding with great results. Prep is a lovely building, huge theatre and stage like Holmewood, pool is only a few years old so a really lovely place to swim. Huge grounds and woods, smaller than Holmewood but as nice in my opinion.
Rose Hill went through the bumps over Covid largely over how they did online learning. Some parents were very very miffed about the teaching not being live. Holmewood went live. I don’t know about The Mead. I know some excellent Sevenoaks prep schools that also did not teach live. Some parents were very unhappy with this (and a considerable bulk were happy the lessons were not live and content with the live support sessions and tutor times but prerecorded lessons) and there was a resulting flurry of families who left. The Head is more established now. I liked her, felt she was honest and really cared and wanted to move the school forward. Lots of schools have a dip when management changes, This was no exception. My experience was a very positive one, particularly pastoral care which was outstanding from my view. Preprep is a little tired physically and I would say a balance on the senior school front, a lot try for grammar and Year 7 and 8 is VERY boy heavy, though now a good size.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these 3 schools. They all have pros and cons and your best bet is to ask for a tour individually, not just open day which all 3 will jazz up the place for. From my experience, all 3 have their cheerleaders with undying love and all 3 have parents ready to take them down and ready to put anyone off who says they’re considering one, All 3 will have kids having extra tutoring to increase their chances for their top senior school or 11plus success. All 3 handled lock down differently and to be honest shouldn’t really be an issue now, it was a learning curve for everyone.

Best of luck with your choice. Go with your gut at the end of the day.

Big thank you ChocolateMilkBertie, this is exactly the kind of balanced pros and cons I really needed. It helps a lot in thinking things through. Especially helpful to get an understanding of what has happened in Rose Hill - I was rather put off by lots of negative chat about the head. What you have explained makes sense and I will consider it very seriously as sounds like a good balance between the Mead and HH.

Regarding the comment about the HH and the right kind of family, this is something I have picked up and I think what was implied was that the parents tend to be more universally very well off. We are v fortunate as we have a very generous grandparent who is happy to pay school all the way through but we ourselves are not in the 'very wealthy' bracket :) So a little more mixed environment might feel right - so points toThe Mead and Rose Hill with their more reasonable fees - relatively speaking. Plus I am keen to keep the 11plus and grammar schools as an option - so Rose Hill seems to cater best for both (while The Mead is much more grammar school only focused).

Great tip on arranging a visit outside open days too.

Thanks again for taking the time to share all that - feels such a big decision to make as it impacts them so much.

Hi,

I wondered how you got on with the schools? It would be great to know which you went with in the end and how you found it.

My DS has a very similar temperament to yours and a nurturing place is just right for him. School would also be paid for by generous grandparents, so it feels better to be in a place with more of a mix of parents. The Mead had a big waiting list but might still work, but I am still considering HH and Rose Hill, but still a bit undecided. Any insights would be really appreciated.

Many thanks,
Alison

Hello,
I too would like to follow up on this thread and see if anyone can comment on private schools around TBW. We’re considering Rose Hill so would love to hear some honest feedback.
Some background- we’re in the process of moving to Tunbridge Wells and are looking for (state) primaries for our two children; yr 1 and yr 4. Year 4 is proving very difficult as out of the 8-10 state schools I’ve phoned, no school has a space for year 4 and all have a waiting list of at least 5 children. Year 1 is fine.
This worries me as it will most definitely mean they will be going to different schools and potentially one (year 4) quite some distance away.
Does anyone have experience with in year admissions to primaries in this area and how to best navigate this with multiple children?

Many thanks for any tips!

@SpringinMadrid reading this thread and wondering if you can spare a few words on what was your decision and how did are you finding the school you have chosen...much appreciated

I have friends' kids in The Mead, Rose Hill, and Holmewood School. I am a teacher in one of the schools. Here are some of my views:

All the schools are very different. It depends on your child and what type of school you are looking for your child.

The Mead: It is located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells. It is a very small school. It's good for families looking for small and nurturing schools. However, once the school starts to charge VAT, I am not sure if the school will survive given its size.

Rose Hill: Rose Hill is very similar to Holmewood to some extent. They both have very similar infrastructure but Rose Hill on a smaller scale. Rose Hill's class size is 12-13 (as of now). Holmewood is 16 to 20 (as of now). Because of the class size, the teacher can provide more 1-to-1 or tailored support to the kids.

Holmewood: It is probably the largest independent primary school in Tunbridge Wells. It is known as an academically pushy school. I don't believe it is true, as a lot of parents there are complaining they don't stretch the children at all. Since the new head, they started to increase the class size. There is a lot of marketing on their social media (check their Instagram and YouTube). A lot of parents are complaining the teachers and resources are stretched. The head of pre-prep is also very aggressive. No matter what you complain, she will be able to push you out (very well trained to deal with parents).

If you are looking for good state schools, then check out Langton Green Primary School, Claremont, and Bidborough School.

A key aspect of these schools is not to be blindfolded by the Open Day presentation. Try to speak to as many parents as you can at the school. They have all the insights. Try to gain more insights into what's good and not good about the school. Even if someone says something negative, it doesn't necessarily mean it is a bad school. It might not be the right school for them.

That is so much for your thoughtful and informative response. Really great to get your honest opinion and insight.

I really like The Mead for its size, small classes and nurturing ethos, but they just don't seem to have any places available, and really important to know that they could have trouble continuing. What a shame.

Very good to get a more balanced view of Holmewood House, I know a couple of friends of friends who have children there that are happy, but as you say it is working out if that is right for your child. My son seems quite academic - if you can say that about such a young child :) And I want him to be stretched so he is not bored. But not sure if it is pushy about being 'the best' at sports would feel right for him, plus a want a school which emphasises good social skills, kindness etc. The larger class sizes and unresponsive teacher defeats the point of paying for a private school I feel too.

I take on board the benefit of asking for lots of people's perspectives though.

Also when I visited Rose Hill and met the head of younger years it didn't feel very nurturing. It felt more of a sales pitch and she didn't really interact very much with my child. This was such a small snapshot though I shouldn't base my decision on that. And the small class sizes are appealing.

All schools have their pros and cons. It's a matter of what you could or couldn't live with. If a child has dyslexia, most independent schools may provide a bit of extra assistance in reading and writing for that child. If your child is above average, they won't not stretch you. Why would they 😊Independent schools operate as for-profit businesses, despite being registered as charities. Holmewood, for example, is very stringent with costs and budget. Any additional support would need to be covered by parents, not the school.

It is worthwhile to speak to like-minded parents. There are many parents who are happy with The Mead, RH, or HH, as these schools could be the right fit for their children or they are very 'relaxed' or 'wealthy' parents 😉

Yes, independent schools have become very business focused. It is really sad to see.

I would strongly advise against Rose Hill due to the Head who seems to be building quite a appalling reputation. Shame as some great teacher there. Feels very much like a primary even at prep level.

I would strongly advise against Rose Hill due to the Head who seems to be building quite an appalling reputation. Shame as some great teachers there. Feels very much like a primary even at the prep level.

We were most impressed by the Mead.

I think you need to consider if grammar might be a route you want to go down in the future (it’s one we want to keep open). In my opinion the Kent test is more challenging than the ISEB particularly if considering super selectives. My understanding from parents at Holmewood is usually only 5 out of a cohort of 60 ish take up grammar places each year (and usually not at super selectives but this is only word of mouth). You can also look at the various data access requests on the Kent test and schools like the Mead, Hilden Grange and Somerhill are not only streaks ahead in terms of percentages passing (80% plus pass rates whereas Homewood was 60%) but also have a lot more pupils taking it. However, maybe only less able pupils at Holmewood take the Kent test if most pupils go to independents at 13? Holmewood also don’t share their 11+ leavers destinations which along with complaints from parents we know about lack of stretch (and support) made me think it wasn’t for us. We don’t know if we want grammar or private for secondary so plan to keep options open particularly as we wait and see how VAT impacts independent secondaries. However, if you are thinking of Hurstpierpoint, Bedes or Eastbourne the facilities are a big plus (stage , pool, art rooms etc) and there are many happy parents.

Everyone I know with children at the Mead is very happy , it seems hugely nurturing and good at academically stretching their pupils. The minuses are less facilities and traffic (this is the biggest hurdle for us as we are the wrong side of TW) . I thought the work I saw displayed at the Mead, Hilden Grange, Somerhill and Sevenoaks Prep was noticeably better than Holmewood. We also know of more parents moving away from Holmewood than the Mead. Go to the main open days but also go back on individual tours and ask to see books as you walk around (and don’t just let them pas you the best ones!)/ask to randomly see different aged classes (we were quite surprised by the behaviour in some of the classes we saw)/ ask about percentages on different reading levels / type of support offered if needed/availability of TAs and class size etc. I found the most transparent schools were generally the most impressive when I looked at pupils work. I would also say I was very impressed with some of the local primaries (who seemed to outshine a few of the highly regarded preps) so it does require careful consideration. You can again look at either the data requests on the Kent tests or use locrating to look at leavers destinations to get a feel.

I can’t comment on Rosehill really. We just didn’t get the feel we were after so only looked once.

In the end I think we have settled on Hilden Grange. Academically stretching and a family feel and a bit easier for us to commute from if using Tonbridge station. I think if we had a more confident younger child we would have chosen Somerhill.

Hi - thanks for your really useful tips on how to get a proper understanding of what the schools are actually like, and your insights into those that you have viewed. I am keen on grammar school for my son, though he is still young so always good to see when it comes to it if it'll be right for him, so best to keep options open for us I think.

We're looking to move to Langton Green. Both my husband and I commute. Any tips on the best way of getting to the station? How do most people do it who currently live around the area? Thanks

I have 3 children spread across different years at The Mead and have recently moved from London so can give you the new parent perspective. Feel free to PM me.

I lived in LG for many years. Many commuters drove to High Brooms or Tonbridge.My husband cycled to TW station from LG . Takes about 15mins from LG all downhill but coming home was more of an effort !!