Falkner boys. Eaton house belgravia. Garden house or Wetherby kensington

[Poppypimlico]

Hello
I know they are all great schools. Anyone can offer any thoughts on them?
Toured them all. Eaton house building is v tired but gets good results. Garden house no longer prep for 7/8 exams.
Wetherby downside is have to move after Y3.
lack of outside space in them all!
Thank you. Will have to make up our minds in the next week :)

DS at Wetherby Kensington and couldn't be happier. It's highly academic but also great pastoral care, the learning is intense but plenty of fun to be had along the way; they really know how to teach boys.

Also as far as I can see it is the only school that actively preps all boys for 7/8+; as you say GHS no longer does this, and Falkner House only prepares the select few each year. And Wetherby Prep in Marylebone is always a good fall back option at 8.

My son was at FH from reception to end of Year 2 and he loved it. We did as well and could not recommend it more. It is tailored to each boys and is not a "sausage factory": if you want lots of homework that is probably not the school for you :). The boys who the school feels are mature enough for 7+/8+ have a bespoke academic program to prepare. And from what I have seen over the last few years they are rarely wrong.
Happy to answer any question.

We used GHS and left after pre-prep. GHS has 3 sites within metres of school used for outdoor space: DoY sq running track for mornings, royal hospital for transition (and younger) and Burton court.

We are at WUS now and the GHS courtyard is about the same size as what is used now during breaks when not in the square.

I don't believe EH Belgravia or Wetherby Kensington has anything comparable in close proximity.

We recommend GHS but with these choices I feel it's always best to use the school closest to home over everything.

Thank you all for your replies!

That’s great to hear as we have a place too.
How is the sport ?

All are brilliant.
Wetherby pushes hard from early on. Tests in reception, daily homework and setting. It works for some boys but is intense.

Garden house was always the softer option. But now has lots of senior staff from Ken Prep and Bute. Friends with DC there say they can see lots of positive change and better teaching. They are less keen on 7/8+ prep.

Eaton House is a lovely balance. Strong academics and sensible pastoral care. I more know friends with DC at the Clapham school but they rave about it.

I don't think you can go too wrong with any. Just depends where you live and what will suit your DS.

Oh and falkner it depends if you like the head. You have to be on board. They have the very sensible old fashioned approach. Parents love or hate it.

I think it depends what exit point you want to shoot for too as well as the overall feel of the school.
I was originally against the 7/8 plus believing that it would be too much, but… that’s actually what we ended up doing as I realized it would be slightly easier to prep for an exam when they’re younger and not have to worry about the 11/13 plus with nothing to fall back on.

With that being said Wetherby would probably be the best for leaving at the 7/8 plus as that’s what they focus on. I have a friend with two sons there and she loves it, says it’s not too pressured as they slowly lead up to the exam. Fall back option with the prep in Marylebone has good results too and exit options at 11 and 13.

Eaton House Belgravia has been doing very well recently honestly, I think it’s becoming just as popular as it used to be after a little stint pre-pandemic where class size dwindled slightly. Great for academics and goes to 11.

Garden House is more relaxed, and I’ve heard about them wanting to expand to 13+ and not prep for 7/8 anymore, but that expansion has not take place yet so I wouldn’t bet on a 13 exit. I think some parents here do tutor, but overall they have happy kids. Many kids come from the local Chelsea area.

Falkner House boys is also great, lots of boys there have siblings at the girls school, which has similar academics. Depends how far you want to go as this is probably the furthest west on this list. They prep for 7/8 and also have an exit at 11 for boys who aren’t ready yet.

My DS has offers from Wetherby Notting hill and Eaton house Belgravia to start reception in 2023. My son’s nursery has provided me the feedback that he appears to be more academic and we should consider 7+ for him. We are not sure which one to pick.
Can you please let me know how these two schools are compared to each other.
Thanks for your help.

Hello

Our DS is at EHB and we are very happy with it. We picked it from the same choices as you because we liked the fact it prepares for 7+ or 8+ but also is a solid prep school to 13+ if we wanted it. It meant we could see what option was right for DS and have a good prep option without any big change for DS. The wetherby 8+ prep school is a new location and complete change. EHB felt more of a natural progression to stay beyond 8+ and then gets good 11+ and 13+ results. They said they know some boys just need longer to mature. I liked their openness and how they see each boy as an individual.

EHB seems to be becoming more popular and there is good energy there. We have found it to really understand boys; academics are solid but they also make it fun and a happy place. DS also goes to the holiday club some breaks at The Manor Clapham site which he loves. It's a good perk.

In the end we turned down Wetherby due to commute and worries it seemed very intense from parent reviews. I hear of many happy parents there though. The Wetherby Headteacher is leaving.

Thank you so much

I was told that both EHB and Wetherby NH are keen on preparing boys for 7+ but was told that EHB is more intense. Quite pleased to know that EHB is making sure boys are having fun and are happy too

Any other thoughts on Eaton House Belgravia and Wetherby Notting Hill?
Thank you

Given Mr Snell from Wetherby is moving to be head of Eaton House, that might solve your queries- I would go for Eaton House for best of both worlds.

Anyone know why the headmaster of Eaton house Belgravia is leaving?

Apparently moving on to be the head of another school.

EHB update that is relevant to this post; Huge news change w WNH head, Snell no longer coming to EHB. Anyone have thoughts on the Hampstead Hill School Head, Ross Montague? His experience as a school head is very different to Huw May and Snell’s. We are worried parents who are due to start EHB in Sept 2023

Should have added that Ross Montague is joining EHB in Jan 24….

hello @llany are you planning on the 7+ or 8+ for your DS. do you live in the area?

Hello yes indeed, 7/8+ is the goal and hence the selection of EHB as FH had clearly told us they don't want kids leaving at 7/8+. We live in the area. WK not a choice as it is has had change of leadership. Used to be our top choice back in the day. Just so dissappointed with the EHB has handled it all. And to choose a candidate w appx 1 yr headship experience. ...

yes it is all a bit up in the air now..massive surprise for parents

😅 that is another example at Dukes incompetence at dealing with Headship succession. Plus obviously they don't want to pay up, but they will have to start paying up soon, so good teachers consider working for them.

I think the turn of events points otherwise. EHB wouldn't have announced the high-profile appointment of Mark Snell without having an agreement with him in place. Wetherby knew he was leaving and was already hiring for a new head. Then Alpha Plus was probably forced to offer up just to avoid losing Mr Snell to a competitor. Clearly it wouldn't be wise for Dukes to fight for someone who can't honour a deal. The sudden change of mind really reflects badly on Mark Snell. I doubt his career as a returning head at Wetherby or anywhere else for that matter will be respected or taken seriously anymore.

Well said Ukada. He is part of "management" now, he has other priorities for sure.

I agree @ukdada. If anything, it reflects badly on Snell for not honouring his commitment to a school. Not great for Wetherby or EHB- one has lost a head and now got a slightly more unstable few months, although Eaton House have an overriding principal who at least can oversee things. Other now has a Head who wanted to leave and I doubt his heart is really in it anymore. Bizarre!