WCPS/Squirrels vs Homefield Prep

[KitKat789]

Hi Mums,

Just wanted your opinion, I am currently living in Sutton and my Son has offers from both schools. Both schools are very good, with WCPS taking the lead, but conversely, much more difficult logistics. Both the husband and I work full time in the City and finish at 5pm at the earliest. We currently work in the office 1-2 days a week, but this will likely increase.

Homefield
This is only a 8 - 10min drive from our home, so 30 - 40min total driving per day. The realistic additional drive time is just 3 - 5min per run, as we would be travelling enroute to/from Sutton station. My husbands sister also lives <5min walk from the school, which could be handy if there are trains delay. He also has family in the area.

WCPS/Squirrels
Morning journey to school, 35min. Morning return journey from school, 45min.
Afternoon journey to school, 25min. Afternoon return journey from school. 25min.
2h10min total driving per day, almost all of which is additional time.

An incredibly good school, with an outstanding record to sending kids to KCS, but at a cost of being a lot further away. Ideally, the parent going into the office should cover the school run, but the afterschool care ends at 5pm. This requires 1 parent to be always working from home (which maybe a challenge later on). We havent explored drivers yet, and are hopeful that there are some parents that live nearby to share the school runs, but we cannot rely on this.

Although Homefield is a (very) good school, WCPS is the better school, but at a tremendous cost of difficult logistics. Just wondering what everyones thoughts are on easier logistics vs better academics

Sutton to Wimbledon every day for up to 7 years is crazy, you will go mad!!
Ask the registrar at WCPS how many parents live in your postcode to gauge how realistic it is.
Have you also looked at the school calendar and seen how many times a term you need to be at school for a concert / play, or collect take home and drop back at school later on / or half days?
Homefield is a very good prep and your ds will almost certainly end up at the same secondary school regardless of his prep when both are so good.

Thanks for the feedback tennissquare, you raised good points about asking about parents near my postcode and I completely forgot about school plays/concerts/half days!

Sutton to Wimbledon does make me shudder, but its "only" for 3 years as WCPS is only till 7. If he is fortunate to get into KCS, there is a coach service from Sutton.

Hi Mumtoanan

Thank you for your reply. I will send you a PM shortly.

I’m biased, as my son goes to Homefield, but I think at the primary level, I think it’s the vibe you get from the school. Go with your gut.

Sorry to hear some aren’t happy with the school. I do always say to friends, go with your gut when it comes to your child. But if you absolutely disagree with the school (and no school is the same- there are other options) If your son is still at the school, then they must be doing some things right!