Kingsley vs Arnold Lodge (Leamington Spa)

[ExistentialThreat]

Does anyone have any insight into the differences between these schools at prep level? I've visited Kingsley, and found it underwhelming, so am keen for any feedback on AL and how it compares?

Neither school is in the most robust health. AL v small prep dept, has rep of being supportive of those who need a bit of extra support. Kingsley is ‘nice’ but regarded as a bit limited. Has recently gone through major structural (admin not physical) changes. Both have less than ideal sites.

Have you discounted Warwick Prep? If that doesn’t suits good state primary might work?

Thank you for your insight. We did look at Warwick Prep but it felt a bit like a factory. Not right for our DD. Looking at local state too but hard to find a place at a good one!

Having taught and/ or been a parent at all three you are not wrong about the factory feel at Warwick. Friend/former colleague who taught at WP said ‘It is a sausage machine, but it does make v good sausages.’

It is a different league from the other two BUT if it’s not right for your DD it’s not right.

AL has a really good ethos, and the kids that I know who’ve been there have thrived. It’s non selective so children with a range of abilities attend (like Kingsley) and it has a real family feel to it. It’s a “busy” prep, there’s always something happening and there’s programmes for the gifted and talented as well as support for those who need it.

I’d have a look around and meet the head.

I have to disagree about AL not being in good health, they bought Stratford Prep a while ago and pupil numbers are good.

In all honesty, if you are choosing between Kingsley and AL, I’d consider if you want co-ed or single sex. Kingsley is co-ed on paper but classes are overwhelmingly girls only.

We’re also looking at further afield (south of Warwick). So far I feel that her year ground at Kingsley are working far below her ability, which is a concern. The lack of outside space is also an issue. AL have just told me they have no places. WP not right. Bilton Grange unimpressive and £££££!! Also wasn’t taken by the Croft. Going round in circles!!

OP have you looked at Stratford Prep or Crackley Hall/Princethorpe? I think those are the only remaining options, and they're obviously much further out than Kingsley and Arnold Lodge.

Yes, they’re the wrong direction for us. We’re down towards Banbury, a bit of a black hole!

OP would it be ok if I PM'd you?

Absolutely!

I know Warwick prep very well and agree your child has to be a type of child to thrive there, I’ve got one which does better than the other there.

Which state schools are you considering? Are they Banbury based?

If you’re in Banbury what about Cardus? You could also consider going south instead of north and look at prep schools in Oxford like Oxford High or Headington Rye

@Cecilly Is Cardus closing shortly?

Is it? Gosh, I didn’t know! It’s too bad… I went to see it many years ago as I was considering it for my DDs. It was a really nice little school.

Hello, we've been considering here and I'm interested to understand what you mean by a specific "type" please?

Bright and robust

I used to work at Kingsley, children were lovely but a number of had learning difficulties such as ADHD , and were difficult to to keep in Classroom . Staff were not good at controlling this , children often out of lessons roaming round the school hiding in toilets or being sent to reset room and left unsupervised. Many children work below the standard ability for their age .
Staff were reasonable supportive of one another when I first started. However a lot of management changes at the top and pressure and stress due to going co-ed in 2025 , lead to a less supportive management team and quite a hostile workplace at times. You needed to be careful of certain staff turning against you and being pushed out. Some staff were not appropriately registered with professional bodies to be carrying out the job they were doing with the responsibilities attached to it.
Previously looked at Arnold Lodge for my Kids , may have similar problems to Kingsley with keeping children bin classroom. Warwick Prep is a nice school but quite pushy senior management team can be quite hostile to parents sometimes.

Can I ask which school you decided to go for in the end @ExistentialThreat? We are in a similar area and as you say it's such a black hole for preps!

I would say go for Warwick Prep if you want private school to be worth it. It is a phenomenal school and the factory reputation isn't accurate, it just tries to help kids get to their potential. The extra curriculars are very impressive and the foundation schools it feeds into keep flourishing. It is by far the strongest primary school.

Kingsley is a good school but has never pushed academically. Even though it has been taken over by the warwick schools foundation (essentially by warwick prep/kings high/warwick), the rumours I heard is that it is essentially going to be the more pastorally kind school and cover their sen children. It has always has the reputation of being less rigorous at secondary. However, the move to co-ed is a huge change.

Arnold Lodge has always been good for prep, but has floundered a little on an identity for secondary. It is meant to be quite well rounded and kids seem nice.

There are some other really nice schools in the area - Crackley Hall is the feeder for Princesthorpe. Bilton Grange (similar to Warwick Prep) - feeds into Rugby school. There are so many strong private primary schools in Warwickshire, each a little different, so worth googling.

A school I would 100% check out if you want gentle, pastoral, but kids reaching potential would be The Croft. It hasn't been financially secure in decades, but is meant to be the nicest environment of any of the prep schools locally. If your child needs a supportive environment, Sibford is phenomenal - and trying to move into a more general school rather than SEN school. I have heard really good things.

I just read you are down in Banbury - if so, don't look at Kingsley or Arnold Lodge. Warwick Prep, Croft, Stratford Prep, Dragon and Sibford are all good. Kingham is mean to be nice too. Think about where you want for secondary first, and then find the feeder school. Or if you have a nice village state school.

@ThinkingIsAllowed - we’ve ended up at Beachborough. Friends have scattered to all the schools mentioned in this thread. Such different schools and hugely different experiences. DD is doing well, but I am yet to warm to Beachborough completely. Great teachers but has felt like the pre prep is the poor cousin of the prep school so far.