Pre-prep schools in central London (EHB vs GH vs WCCS)

[DWA1]

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?

Others may have more direct experience, but my feeling is if you’re looking at 7+ I wouldn’t defer. It creates a complication, and I think most selective schools are looking for boys within the normal September to August birthday range at that stage. Also I’ve heard many schools account for birthday when assessing applicants, so your son shouldn’t be at a disadvantage.

Thank you for responding Jackal313. Yes I thought so, will stick to his current year group. Any advice on picking a pre prep school?

I’m not that familiar with those schools, though have heard Eaton House Belgravia is quite academic - and probably very hard to get place. Presumably you’ve registered for all three? Even pre-preps can be very competitive!

We used GHS and went on to WUS before upper school.

Jameson was a decent head but his predecessor (Warland) was amazing. Hopefully this gives GHS the opportunity to repeat that when the new head comes in soon.

In terms of prep please be aware EH B does not get more boys into WUS than GHS (even to this day after GHS stopped officially preparing). I wouldn't factor that in to your plans and instead focus on the school you prefer. GHS also got a solid amount into Sussex House this year. The exits at 7+/8+ are still as they've always been.

We have had friends at WCCS pre-prep since it opened but they've been families largely focused on removing themselves from selective education. It's hard to tell if it's the school or families meaning you don't see them exiting to certain schools.

EHB is non selective

Again thank you for responding. Yes we have a place at Eaton house Belgravia as they are non-selective and registered him early. WCCS has assessments in November; Garden house are interview based.

Thank you elij that’s very helpful to know. If our son turns out to be academic, I would like him to have a go at the 7+ selective (difficult to know this at <3yo though, so that narrows it to EHB & GHS).

Elij, could I also ask what they were looking for at the GHS interview?

Elij, could I also ask what they were looking for at the GHS interview?

When we did it they looked at parent involvement and independence effectively. They still did the early years metrics that you will be familiar with from nursery. For us it was very context specific (as in questions based on interests at the time) so things like favourite dinosaur (DS was big into them at the time), writing his name, stacking blocks and talking about navigating the city (DS also knew London quite well for his age). The parent questions were about involvement day to day, bed time reading, family games etc.

When we applied they admitted a small number and some years none outside nursery. It was a bit more competitive back then, even both parents not going to the interview was basically a way to get rejected. It's a bit different today.

Please don't write off WCCS yet! Especially if it's your closest, I'm more sceptical about EHB tbh.

Also remember WUS are going to fill their entire pre-prep from 2026 so you might want to put your name in for a OP Y2 entry for the dozen or so boys they take at that point.

We were like you and fairly certain we wanted to do 7+ to get in to the secondary school early. EHB was a no-brainer, as a non-selective its results are impressive and we just loved the school and its traditional style. However, my end of August born boy was not ready (despite the wonderful prep from the school, and some additional help after school) and we decided in the end not to attend the exams and give him more time to develop.

I do not regret going to EHB at all, as we have had a fantastic experience and my son has absolutely loved it. But do have a good think about what your plan will be if you don't go for 7+/8+ or you don't succeed. Will you be happy to keep your son at EHB to do 11+ or will you be happy to move him again before moving him on to high school? We have landed at a wonderful school after EHB, but a bit out of luck rather than planning and in hindsight wish I had explored a lot more options further beyond the usual WUS/SPJ/KC

That being said - at the end of the day, you have to choose the school that you love and feels right for you. But think if you are really set on 7+, the choice would be EHB as both WCCS and GH are not setting the curriculum for 7+ exams and you may find yourself having to do quite a bit of the prep yourself.

Thank you ChelseaLDN - really helpful to know your journey. It is such a tricky decision as I reckon a lot of kids (esp August born ones!) probably won’t be ready for the 7+. At the same time the 11+ sounds even more stressful so I would like to avoid it. Having a prep school close to home is a priority which limits me to WCCS/EHB/GH. It terms of middle/senior schools our easily commutable options are WUS/Alleyns/Dulwich college and I am hoping by age 7 he can travel on a school bus for the later 2 if he was able to get a place. Could I ask which secondary your son went to? Were you bothered by the cramped and worn looking facilities at EHB?

Sadly they won't let you defer. It would seem more logical.

EHB has now removed the 11+

I am sure you've now decided as this was a few months ago, but I would heavily recommend messaging a few of the people in these groups to get a real idea of what EHB is like, and also the type of families that put there boys in that school. It is not for everyone.

A recent article about EHB: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-toddlers-being-prepared-for-the-seven-plus-exam/

Many of the parents thought this was wonderful btw.

As we have now left the school, we are a bit out of the loop, but seems like some major changes at EHB - I wonder why they have closed the Prep school? Presumably to invest more in the nursery? Their new ‘starting school at age 2’ philosophy is…..interesting, to say the least.

Amusingly some of the parents think it's a good thing!

There had been complaints about the 11+ being very small and not well resourced. They tried, it didn't work, so now they are re-routing people to The Manor, so there is still an option.

Was your experience positive? @ChelseaLDN interested to hear. Thank you.

Will EHB still exist in 5 years? We’ve heard from a few families there that the staff are dropping like flies. Sounds like a state primary!

Just wanted to update this post I originally started last year. We chose WCCS in the end. My son is coming to end of his first term in reception there and we could not be happier. The staff are lovely, about 10 kids in a class - my son is always happy to go to school in the morning, academically he has progressed well and they also have great sports facilities.

Oh that’s great @DWA1and really helpful that you’ve updated too. My son is in his second year at WCCS and also really happy. It’s a great school.