Putney High Junior vs Kensington Prep

[MM55]

Hello, I am interested hear some up to date feedback for both schools, My DD has been offered a place at both at 4+ assessment. She is confident/focused girl, most likely will be sporty.
Open/blunt views very welcome. PM if needed.
Tough decision to make for these in demand schools.
Many thanks in advance xxx

Choose whichever is on the same side of the river as you - crossing Putney Bridge every day would be a nightmare.

Putney High due it being all through- takes the pressure off. But agree would depend a bit where you live…

I am interested to hear about staff turnover, happiness of girls, academics. Location isn’t a problem.
thank you.

I had girls at Putney and crossed the bridge every day. Total nightmare. Don’t do it. Honestly, an all-through school is a bonus but for prep my advice is to go to the nearest school, ideally one you can walk to. Play dates and parties will be local and the sense of community you get is invaluable.

Academics will be fine at both schools. KP will be more stressy and have more pushy parents because of the 11plus and its location.

Ken Prep is obviously more academic. Since your DD got an offer - she fits the profile and will be able to cope.

People will tell you that picking an all through school has a positive of avoiding 11+ - but personally, I don’t think one knows at 4yo what school can fit a kid from 4-18.

And in reality - 11+ is not as bad as people make it out to be. And it’s a good experience for their life and for the numerous more stressful exams they will have during their education. And it has a benefit of finding q school that fits them at 11 - when it’s a lot clearer what secondary school they’d need.

Putney Hi is often a backup secondary for many KP’s girls at 11+. And is she is highly academic - she’ll try for the top academic secondaries at Hammersmith area.
If she is at Putney High - the pull to stay and not try for other schools would be quite strong.

So - the choice is largely for you as parents. If you are largely relaxed and think kids would make their path no matter what - pick the school most nearby; or Putney High.
If you are academically ambitious - Ken Prep is a place for her.

She can do sports at both places.

From my first-hand experience, Putney High Junior is a lovely school for wellbeing, but it does lack a certain competitive 'edge.' Not just in academics, but in music and extra-curriculars too. The school culture feels more inclusive than merit-based, which can lead to a very relaxed, participation-focused environment. This is great for some, but can feel underwhelming for girls who really need more of a stretch.

If your daughter is goes to Putney Juniors and later receives offers from more academic schools such as City of London Girls, St Paul’s, or NLCS, would you want to move her?

I chose the school closest to our home for my son at 7+, even though he is very academic. Now he has received offers from all the top schools, and I’m wondering whether he should stay where he is or change schools.

If he had already been at a prep school, changing would have happened naturally and he would probably have accepted it more easily.

All-through schools definitely have their pros and cons. While they offer great continuity, and kids naturally develop a bias toward staying, a child’s reluctance to change shouldn't be a deal-breaker if a clearly superior alternative arises. The real advantage is bypassing the 11+ 'pressure cooker'—having an offer in hand allows for a more relaxed preparation, which is much better for mental health and long-term potential.
Personally, I’d recommend Putney High as mental wellbeing is the most important, though in my direct experience, I feel it be a bit too academically relaxed. If OP is determined to target top-tier senior schools like SPGS, Kensington Prep might be the better strategic choice.

Besides, you could accept PHS and try Bute House at 7+ for a better chance of going to SPGS, and I know a Putney girl went there.

My daughter used to be at KP and we moved her to another school. I think Putney is a lovely school and offer the possibility to stay at 11+, some girls do leave and do the 11+ although they are not prepared like at KP.
Putney is not a back up school for girls at Ken prep, far from that.. it is in the top 5 school destinations (SPGS, G&L, Latymer, Putney, Wimbledon).

This year's KP results don't show places accepted yet, but in 2024 it appears that only 1 girl chose to go from there to PHS out of 17 who had offers. How would you characterize a 'back up school'?

I do agree with the PP that Putney High is not a back up school. 2024 looks like a bit of an anomaly, in prior years it has had many more acceptances.

Putney High is competitive to get in, so in theory it might be considered 'back up' by girls who are shooting for SPGS or even G&L; but for the wider cohort it is considered a strong exit.