All through school or Prep o

[Ilikepinacoladass]

Interested to hear what people think about a through school Vs a prep?

I've already started a thread about the two we're looking at (Colfes Junior and St Olaves Prep) but no replies yet. Colfes is all through and St Olaves a prep. I know it's a wild generalisation but is an all through better? They seem to be more competitive and I wondered if there's a good reason for that.

We are leaning towards the prep as it has a nice feel and journey a little bit quicker, but have an offer at Colfes too - not sure which one to go for!

Some people are drawn to all through schools to avoid a competitive process later on. There are cons too. It can be a long time at the same place and can be helpful to reevaluate at 10/11 where is the right place for your child. Personally I would pick the school you currently prefer, but I don't know the individual schools to comment.

Thanks for your reply. That's a good point! I think at senior school the all through option is currently about 400 applicants to 60 places. So quite a lot of competition. The juniors don't get automatic pass but most go through apparently.

I like the idea of being able to skip the stress in year 5 & 6 of multiple exams and 11+ etc. But then maybe lots of children at all throughs take 11+ anyway just in case / as a back up if they decide they want to move or don't get into seniors?

Assuming you have no specific personal preference, go for Colfe's - it's a strong academic and all-rounder school and big enough to suit most children. Always a good idea to avoid the 11+ pressure in the area too.

Does the prep go to 13? The best ones do so Dc access public schools at 13. They are often very different to the 11 plus prep. I personally think 3-18 is claustrophobic and children reach an age when they need to fly. However it’s low pressure and you can plan. You won’t get any prep for other schools though. The through school near me doesn’t. What are the destinations from the prep and do you prefer any of them?

@TizerorFizz The prep goes until year 6 (age 10/11 I think?). Do some senior schools had an entry point at 13+ then?

The destination schools from prep are quite varied, last year out of 34 pupils 13 went to grammar, 3 to Colfes, 12 to other independent schools (including 1 Alleyn's on academic scholarship, 2 Eltham college with 1 on academic scholarship) and then 7 to comps.

My feeling is that I'd like him to go to Colfes for secondary school, or Eltham college, as they are both nearby.

It feels like a bit of a gamble as he might not get in to the senior school of Colfes. But I think I prefer the prep over Colfes Junior (it's smaller, has better ISI report, 10min journey instead of 25mins in traffic)

Yes. The “big name” schools are all 13. So Harrow etc. London is more of a bubble of 11 plus schools. You might be better at staying with a through school in the circumstances.

It seems like you’re based in SE London, OP. Have you considered St Paul’s Cathedral School which goes to Y8? It is a short walk from Cannon Street. Don’t know how it compares to Colfe’s or St Olave’s but it’s perhaps an option.

I'm am near Greenwich, don't want a long commute especially not for primary, but secondary too. Somewhere like St Paul's or Harrow would be too far away.

The senior schools around here mostly start at Y7 I think (Colfes, Eltham College, the grammar schools) St Dunstans would probably the furthest away we'd be considering.

Have a look at Blackheath Prep - I’m not clued up on the subject (anyone have more info?) but there was meant to be some kind of link with Eltham College - might be the best of both worlds.

Thanks @Icantskate did look into Blackheath prep but you need to be in for nursery otherwise no chance of place (no reception in take, and long waiting list already).

As a teacher who has had experience of all through and preps I would choose all through. In an all through there is a holistic approach to planning and pastoral so transitioning each year is a lot easier in terms of academics and socially as the teacher will have access to previous years planning /teachers etc.

@MAsMum
Thanks interesting to hear from a teacher!

Does that mainly apply to the junior/senior transition year? As in the prep they would have that continuity across the junior school years at least?

The prep would be from reception to year 6. Then most of the senior schools we'd be looking at start at y7

Another option could be to start at the prep, if you feel it is the better option for now and it is a shorter journey. Then consider moving at 7+ to an all through school. That way you'd still have the benefit of minimising the stress of 11+. There would still be the uncertainty of whether you'd get a place at 7+, but by then you may have a better idea of which all through school would suit your child.

@Brugmansia
That's a good point. I think the only one that takes at 7+ near here is Eltham College so not much of a choice, but is an option.

I've realised I can make the journey to Colfes shorter in rush hour by parking a bit further away (nearer to home) and walking, so probably wouldn't be 25 mins drive, more like 17 mins door to door which doesn't seem too bad.