Francis Holland Junior School

[9thhilltop]

Hi, we’re currently in the process of looking for schools for DD and I haven’t been able to find many threads in Mumsnet regarding FH junior school, mainly only ones about the senior school. So I was hoping there might be some parents on here that could share experiences or advice about the school!

We went and toured recently and it’s one of our top options, just hoping to narrow it down with some more information.

Do a lot of girls stay on for the senior school or move? I know an all through school will help lower the 11+ anxiety but feel that girls may want a change after prep.
We would be happy to have her stay, as it’d likely be a school we’d consider for 11+ anyway, just hard to tell how it’d suit her at 4 versus 11/13.

We’re also looking at Garden House, Eaton Square Prep, Newton Prep, and Thomas’s Battersea. (Francis Holland would be one of the closer options for context).
We also have a DS at WCCS.

For proximity to DS it has to be FHSJS or GHS (I wouldn't consider the others). If you have a place at FHS JS absolutely take that over GHS (GHS is excellent but FHS is considered a good exit for GHS girls so makes sense just going there with offers from each).

Even if you plan to stay at FHS long term DD may still opt to apply to a school like SPGS when older. You will be in a good position either way.

This is based around use of day schools and proximity to central London.

That’s a good point about GHS being an exit for FH as I hadn’t thought of that yet.

I believe FH junior has a slightly larger intake than some of the other nearby prep schools but they also get a lot of new girls in the senior so staying on shouldn’t be too stifling.

I think you should consider how it being an all through school can affect if you would want to change at 11+. I know they support the 11+ but a good majority stay on, both pros and cons. Personally our children went to an all through school from 7-18 and one loved it and the other found it a bit stifling by their senior years.

Hi 9thhilltop, I hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread. I am considering WCCS for my son for reception onwards. Could I ask you if you are happy with academic performance and sports at this school? Do you think it is a difficult school to get a place at?

Please could I get some advise on pre-prep schools in central London? My son is turning 3 soon so we need to choose a pre-prep school (to start reception next year). As we live in pimlico Westminster Cathedral choir school is our closest (and we liked the staff & facilities), but I have been advised that they don’t prepare for 7+ and it would be better for me to choose Eaton house Belgravia (new headmaster!) or Garden house (current head leaving next year?) if I want to get my son into a good secondary school at that stage. I would like to avoid the 11+ exams if possible as there is no “2nd chance” if one performs badly at that point. Can anyone who has been through this mill give me some clarity on which of these 3 options I should go for? Also as my son is an August baby, does anyone know if I can defer his start date in private school?
Thank you 🙏