NHP, Chepstow, Bassett House or Norland Place?

[ldgrace]

Hello

I am looking at prep schools for a reception place, this September, in the Notting Hill area and would like to hear from other parents on their experiences with Notting Hill Prep, Chepstow, Bassett House and Norland Place. I understand NHP to be seen as “the best” but this may not mean it is necessarily the ideal fit for our daughter.

I have heard a variety of mixed reviews on Chepstow and some slightly concerning grumblings about the head at Bassett House, so I am finding it all so confusing. I would really appreciate some insight from current parents or from those who have visited or applied.

Thank you

I don't know the other schools but a close relative has 2 DC at NHP in the early years and has been v pleased with the school. One of their DC is a summer birthday so the youngest in their year, and the school seems to have been able to cope with the differentiation quite well.

That’s really useful to know. Thank you

I often see NHP pupils walk past Ladbroke Grove station passing some very dodgy people and heavily urinated streets.

We are a Bassett House family - DH went there, as did his mother. We chose it for our DC and have been very happy. The head is super and runs a tight ship. Now, I wonder will the GC end up there, in thirty years!

Curious to know what the rumblings are about Bassett House as we are considering a place there for our son! Thank you

Falkner and Glendower should be on your radar (academically well ahead of all the Notting Hill schools you mentioned) and they are probably now better than Pembridge Hall. I say this as a former PH, Bute House and Wetherby parent

Hands down the single best girls’ school in London is Bute - ethos, academics, activities and facilities are unparalleled (all other schools are basically glorified youth hostels 🤪). However BH is a lottery at 4+ and an exam at 7+

given your Notting Hill focus, you can probably glean pragmatic/unbiased insights from reviewing the leavers’ final destinations (NOT offers, as the best girls get 4-6 of the top offers. Look where they decide to actually attend). Overlay that data as you contemplate what you believe might be a future fit/hope for your daughter at 11+)… plot backwards from there

Unfortunately all of the schools you mentioned are now owned by private equity (as are PH and Wetherby) so you are part of their yield farming and they know that enough parents will certainly be tutoring irrespective of school if seeking SPGS, WU, Kings or LU.

Good luck in your decision

Could I ask please your thoughts on Wetherby NH (have offer) - seems like a good option for 7/8+ but concerned they are just trading on their name at this point (to the PE point you mention above - but seems inescapbale these days)

I think you must consider what your hopes are for your son. I appreciate it is VERY difficult at this stage (if not almost impossible) to know how he might fare.

Are you committed to trying for SPPS, WU or Kings (or maybe Latymer)? If not, look at your other options. While we always “knew” we wanted him to attend one of these schools, I can tell you that just one year pre 7+, I had almost zero expectation that my son would make it… but we worked together as a family and unfortunately had to spend a lot of time and money with tutors. He secured two offers and is extremely happy with his outcome due to his hard work (and help). A tutor basically reduces parent/child stress/refusals to work/meltdowns (reduces, NOT eliminates) but the child still has to work very hard indeed (NB, getting to a point of focus is almost 70% of the battle)

If you are hoping for one of these 3/4 schools, be aware that over half of your year (easily) will be tutoring heavily. The school - like so many - gets a huge free carry from the zeal/rat race mentality of its parents (myself included). Do note that total acceptance success is changing (as it will for all schools) now that SPPS and WU are no longer offering 8+…. Historical metrics of success are not as relevant but are still the best heuristic you have….

So if you don’t get in at 7+, what are your plans?… the school will never push for anything other than remaining within the Wetherby system (which only gets worse relative to other options the longer you stay). They just want your income stream. Don’t believe your child is anything but that to them… I sadly don’t have any strong word of mouth from ANY of the other Notting Hill schools from the POV of entrance success to those three top schools). I will say that we socially very much enjoyed many Wetherby parents and have some wonderful like minded new friends now, but that is a function of our careers, personalities, mindset and the overall area’s community. Again, the school gets a free carry on that

many Wetherby boys leave to Caldicott, Lambrook and Sussex house if they are unsuccessful at the exams. almost no one goes to the new wetherbyPembridge school in Olympia (that would be an act of desperation). The first two options offer great countryside sports facilities, good boarding school results and are not academically challenging to enter. The latter because it has great boarding school results but also offers an option for securing an occasional place at SPPS, WU or Kings (especially since tutoring continues)

I am sorry to say this is an arms race in so many ways. This was not my childhood in any way but it is the game you either elect to play or do not. unfortunately, the biggest winner is the collective of private equity owned schools that offer a thoroughly mediocre product because they have no real completion in the early years and simply collect yield of our insecurities/aspirations. Tragically, the government schools offer an even weaker product. I often wondered about applying to Fox’s (free tuition) and then just spending the Wetherby school fees on tutors, but Fox has essentially zero relationship/history with the best schools post 7+…. Politics still come into play… It is a sad reality but for central London (at the early years at least), the private equity schools have a golden goose and we are the feedstock

DM for anything else