Chandlings / Manor Prep

[GoingRoundInOvals]

Anyone with DC currently at Chandlings or Manor Prep in Oxfordshire?

Looking for some current feedback about the feel of the schools. Have heard mixed feedback (majority positive) regarding Manor Prep, but haven't read anything from anyone at chandlings that's not a PR school-written piece.

Any up to date insights would be appreciated, thank you

Well we've just been to visit for the open day at Chandlings and were really impressed. Seemed to be a good mix of happy and a "wild in the woods" type approach, however with excellent results.

I wonder why they refer to themselves as a Prep school when they only go to 11.

Based purely on being a local, I’d prob choose The Manor. Chandlings is quite a new school, not sure why I think that matters?!

I don’t suppose you’d go too far wrong with either. What about Abingdon Prep - it will be mixed for Pre prep this year and prep from 2025.

It's strange, that was my first thought about Chandlings (oooh they're quite new....). not sure why it would matter either!, but it definitely crossed my mind also.

But, they've got 100% first choice of schools for their leavers this year for secondary, we were impressed with the fact they start prepping for entrance exams and also interview prep etc from year 5.
lovely approach to outside lessons and sports, didn't really get a good feel for the music as the teacher was busy with others but thought the science and English departments had good plans and kit.

We're viewing Manor next week so will be good to compare

I went to Chandlings when it was a house, maybe that’s why!

Not sure if traffic is a consideration but The Manor is on a road with 3 other schools (two large private schools) and the traffic can be pretty poor.

Mind you Chandlings is on a fairly main route to Oxford.

Well we've been to see Manor, and I think we've got all the warm and fuzzy feelings from there. Grounds are not as impressive as Chandlings, it doesn't have a pool... but... the staff were excellent, we loved the new headmistresses and her vision and ethos and thought the students all just seemed confident, ambitious and happy.

think we're definitely leaning towards Manor now

Talk to some parents with older children if you can. The feedback about Chandlings that I've heard in secondary school has been quite mixed, with stories of badly managed bullying, and tbh I would expect a liiiittle more academic attainment by year 6 for the £££ but many seem barely as far along as local state school children, so think about what it is that you are looking for. The grounds do look gorgeous though.

My 2 children went to Chandlings and thrived there. It is a wonderful caring school. Any issues were dealt with straight away and we were always kept informed. My children speak very fondly of their time at Chandlings and wish they could go back!

My child is at the Manor and we are extremely happy with it. It is a warm, nurturing school and we are impressed by the new Head. She had everyone's names nailed by week two, for example. My child has grown in confidence and we feel that the staff know him extremely well.

Thanks to all the updated feedback, it's really appreciated.

we did get a really lovey vibe from both schools, but as @georgiedas says, the new Head really impressed us at the open day recently at Manor. I think we're definitely leading with Manor now, but it's been really useful to get "live" feedback as it were, from current parents