Wimbledon High, Putney High, The Study or Holy Cross Prep

belladonna22 · 2023-10-04T09:17:58+00:00

We're looking for an independent primary for our daughter to start reception in 2024. We are based in Wimbledon and are looking at Wimbledon High, Putney High, the Study and Holy Cross Prep. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these schools that they'd be willing to share? Our favourite of all these is Putney High, but it's too far for us to drive her each morning (we're in West Wimbledon) and it feels a bit unfair to put a 4-year-old on a 45-minute school bus (it meanders through Southfields, hence the long time even though it's not that far). Our most practical choice is Wimbledon High - we really like the facilities and it's easier to get to for us. The Study seems like a really lovely environment but given its location, I feel like the school run around there must be a nightmare with all the cars. Holy Cross would be a quick and easy bus ride from where we live, but they seem to go really heavy on the Catholicism, and we're not sure how we feel about that. The spacious grounds are absolutely lovely though. We have done visits for all of them - any other thoughts? Thanks!

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LusciousLondoner · 04/10/2023 10:37

Holy Cross is a Catholic school, so I'd expect it to go heavy on the Catholicism, it's their USP!

Original poster

belladonna22 · 04/10/2023 10:39

LusciousLondoner · 04/10/2023 10:37

Holy Cross is a Catholic school, so I'd expect it to go heavy on the Catholicism, it's their USP!

I appreciate that, but I meant even more so than other Catholic schools we visited! I was raised Catholic so am familiar with the environment, but our preference is for a secular education. However, Holy Cross still has a lot to recommend it, hence why it is on our list!

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HawaiiWake · 04/10/2023 10:50

Wimbledon and Putney are part of GDST, the curriculum are very similar so should be about travel time, sport preference ie. One has a pool onsite.

SleepyRooster · 04/10/2023 11:06

The Study seems like a really lovely environment but given its location, I feel like the school run around there must be a nightmare with all the cars.

^^ you may want to Google this .

Original poster

belladonna22 · 04/10/2023 12:48

SleepyRooster · 04/10/2023 11:06

The Study seems like a really lovely environment but given its location, I feel like the school run around there must be a nightmare with all the cars.

^^ you may want to Google this .

Thanks, we live in Wimbledon and are very aware of this year's tragic incident. However as far as we are aware that was a horrific accident, nothing to do with the school run. I'm talking more about the inevitable queue of traffic given the relatively isolated location of the school away from any public transit hubs.

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wishiwasidisneyland · 04/10/2023 13:27

For PHS and WHS I'd just apply and see what happens. If she doesn't get a place at either or just one it will cut down the decision making!
Know families who were happy at all the schools. If you live in Wimbledon I don't think the differences between PHS and WHS are enough to make the journey to Putney worthwhile.

wishiwasidisneyland · 04/10/2023 13:28

If any are walkable I'd go with that

SWLondonMum00 · 04/10/2023 18:11

I don't have girls but know of many mums in this area who do opt between Wimbledon High, Putney High and The Study.

Wimbledon/Putney High are both incredibly competitive and in that order. Some mums whose daughters can't get into Wimbledon take up a place at Putney, which becomes a logistical challenge.

The Study is usually the backup choice as it's first come first served and non selective. Not that it's not a good school but it doesn't have the same cachet as the 2 above.

lililililililili · 04/10/2023 18:43

There are plenty of prep schools in Putney area so most parents won’t consider going further south towards Wimbledon, they will more likely consider Hammersmith/Fulham direction for the good schools if they can’t get their child into their local Putney High

username138 · 09/10/2023 08:13

My daughter has just started at The Study so it is early days but our experience so far has been that she absolutely loves it, as do we all. We've had no tears and she's excited to go in every day, happy about doing homework etc. They really make learning exciting and fun and it's got such a warm feel to the place. The kids all look really happy. They also really focus on developing caring but assertive kids and my daughter comes home telling me how they've been talking about friendships etc, which is lovely. We considered Wimbledon High and The Study, so afraid I can't talk to the other 2. Both seem lovely. In the end we chose The Study over Wimbledon High as we weren't sure which secondary school would suit our daughter and so didn't want to commit to one yet. Wimbledon High seems great but we just found it hard to get a sense of what we thought she might be like at 11. The downside is we will have to confront the secondary school entrance exams. If you were set on all through education, then Wimbledon could well be a good option (and then no 11 plus, which is a definite benefit). They have also just removed the application process so I think it's just balloted entry for next year. Re parking at The Study, it's not too bad. There's always a spot on a nearby road. The traffic in the surrounding roads does clog up though. We find if we time the commute right it's fine but if we set off too late, it's a problem.

Original poster

belladonna22 · 09/10/2023 21:42

username138 · 09/10/2023 08:13

My daughter has just started at The Study so it is early days but our experience so far has been that she absolutely loves it, as do we all. We've had no tears and she's excited to go in every day, happy about doing homework etc. They really make learning exciting and fun and it's got such a warm feel to the place. The kids all look really happy. They also really focus on developing caring but assertive kids and my daughter comes home telling me how they've been talking about friendships etc, which is lovely. We considered Wimbledon High and The Study, so afraid I can't talk to the other 2. Both seem lovely. In the end we chose The Study over Wimbledon High as we weren't sure which secondary school would suit our daughter and so didn't want to commit to one yet. Wimbledon High seems great but we just found it hard to get a sense of what we thought she might be like at 11. The downside is we will have to confront the secondary school entrance exams. If you were set on all through education, then Wimbledon could well be a good option (and then no 11 plus, which is a definite benefit). They have also just removed the application process so I think it's just balloted entry for next year. Re parking at The Study, it's not too bad. There's always a spot on a nearby road. The traffic in the surrounding roads does clog up though. We find if we time the commute right it's fine but if we set off too late, it's a problem.

Thanks for your view! We did the open day on Saturday and it has gone from being our back-up to our first choice now. The girls were so lovely, that's really what did it for us! Now we just need to do a few school run drive-bys to see how bad it really is...

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WimbersMum · 05/03/2024 19:48

My DD loves The Study. We've got a new head Sept 2023 who is well connected to Surrey schools. The positive is that the girls are lovely, and most are very happy. The negatives for us has been the awful school comms, some very pusy mums, and extremely cliquey parent groups, but that's our year. Can be too poncey for us. Looking forward to a more down-to-earth senior school.