Independant Schools

[cherryapple]

Hi,Our lo is 2 years old and we have viewed two Independant schools in London. Woodside International N12 & Belmont MillHill.I have been told both are hot houses. I have just called Belmont to make an appointment to have a one to one to discuss any questions we may have the receptionist didnt seem helpful & made me feel as though there was no need & that we should attend the open day which we have done. We just want a private appointment to have a chat. At the end of the day its a big decision & expensive & we have to be sure that the school is the right one for our child. Woodside has been very helpful always someone to discuss further queries & even to show us around the school again. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on these schools & also any experiences.We have just received a letter from Grimsdell Prep Mill Hill saying the prep school is overscribed for 2009 but there may still be a place if anyone drops out.on the other hand Woodside International have offered us a place but Mill Hill was our 1st choice we really dont know whether to take up 2nd offer or wait until next year to see if Grimsdell have a place.Sorry for a bit long winded.

I would go with your gut reaction. I looked at several pre-prep / prep schools for ds. I chose his current prep (he is in reception) because they were friendly and didn't assess at 3/4 for entry unlike some of the other options I looked at. If you are concerned about Senior schools ask the schools to provide you with the lists of where the children move on to. If Woodside get children into schools that you are happy with then it may not be such a big issue. In the end if you change your mind and get a place in Grimsdell next year you could still accept it and forfeit the fees you have paid in advance to Woodside.
One thing that I also considered with DS was that one prep I considered (the prep for UCS) meant he would spend nearly all of his time in school with the same people at the same school and in the end I decided he might benefit from a bit more variety.
My son's prep (in Ealing) gets a large number of boys into St Paul's, Merchant Taylors etc. but is a friendly place where the boys have fun.

I would insist on a one to one appointment, on a normal school working day. I would want to see the school in action, as normal, not just when on show for an open day.

When do you have to put money down?

We had DD on two waiting lists from being a year old. But this did not cost us anything to do. We then went back to visit a bit closer to the time, DD went for the entrance interview thing and we went with gut instint. She has bee there nearly two years and gut instinct has definitely paid off.

I have children at Grimsdell - lovely school, nurturing, steady pace, not such a hot house. Head very approachable - perhaps leave a message to speak to her directly rather than dealing with office. Helps if you have any contacts in the foundation

I feel as though theres a slim chance of her getting into Grimsdell the letter we received said they are very over subscribed for 2009 we have paid the registration fee. I really dont know what to do for the best as I could miss out on the 2nd choice we have. We don't know anybody in the Foundation. I have booked an appointment to see the head at Grimsdell next week & that was a hard job as they dont really do private one to ones I called them then had to wait a day for someone to come back to me with a convenient day.