Central London Prep Schools

[Yummaymummay]

Hi,
I am 8 months gone with twins - waiting on sex so nearly there but have heard from several friends over the last few months about the dramatic shortage of prep school places in our area (sw3) and thus the need to get names down from birth. This has freaked dh and I out quite a bit and so we have drawn up a list of prep schools in our area, and what are your opinons or experiences of them, good or bad it would be great to know though obviously depending on our babies sex some will be eliminated right away. Thanks!

Oh sorry forgot the list- bloody baby brain!
Garden House
Faulker House
Glendower Prep
Hill House
Knightsbridge Schoool
Eton Square School
Thomas' Kensington
Wetherby Prep

Have you got a copy of the Good Schools Guide? They will have descriptions and pros/cons of all you have listed plus lots more information.

Also could be invaluable to talk to parents of dc at the various schools to find out their impressions/experiences - do you know any with dc at the schools you've listed?

Based on schools listed/area, you might also want to add in Frances Holland (if you have girls).

You also need to be researching nurseries in the area, and putting down names for those too. Some have long waiting lists.

I would say that right now, I would be taking information and the schools and putting my name down on lists, but focusing on nurseries. My experience is that a good nursery will be of great help in choosing a school which suits your children.

You have a range of schools with different strengths. Some require an admission interview (Garden House, Faulker House, Glendower, and Thomas') which is more important than your place on their list. I'd keep my options open and narrow down when you have a better idea of what sort of school would best suit the needs of your children.

I find that the hype about dearth of places is just that - hype. I have never actually met someone who has not been able to find a good school for their children. Remember that the population where you are is pretty mobile, and places suddenly open up close to the date. I'd take the advice of your friends with a grain of salt (coming from one who totally bought into the whole school list at birth thing with DS1). Good luck!