Experiences of Prep schools in Norfolk?

[Ik09]

We're considering sending my daughter to a prep school (she would be in pre prep) as she can't cope with large class sizes, the noise and chaos, the poorly managed behaviour and the unstructured eyfs in mainstream.

Does anyone have experience of the prep schools at Town Close, the Norwich School, Thetford Grammar or any others? What was/is the pastoral care really like? My daughter is bright and is social with adults but has high anxiety when it comes to unpredictability and struggles with other children, especially with free flow play.

Any thoughts would be really welcome!

The EYFS “free flow” happens in pretty much every school, both state and private. Even the most academic London pre-preps have it. It’s an important part of childhood development. The important thing is finding a school that can help her navigate what she wants to do in that time and not become overwhelmed by it.

How close are you to Greshams? Their SEN support is very good, academics great, but known for pastoral. There’s a lot to be said for her being able to stay at the same school until she’s 18 - they would know her and she them.

As it is both a day and boarding school, there’s a lot of routine, including at breaks and after school. Days tend to be fuller and she might find this helpful.

We almost moved our daughters there but in the end we couldn’t match the work move to important school dates (GCSEs incoming). We were very impressed - my youngest has some minor SEN.

@RatherBeOnVacation thank you for your response! You're right, I think it's needing an adult to help her navigate all the things she finds difficult and we've never found anywhere (nursery, preschool, forest school & now primary) that has helped her. I'm wondering if a smaller class and therefore better adult-child ratio would be better for her.
We are in Breckland so too far for Greshams but it's nice to hear there is a school out there with good SEN and pastoral support!

Not sure if you are still looking but Thetford is now actually closing (parents informed this week). I also would suggest Greshams,Beeston is also lovely. Langley? It looks as though Finborough are taking many Thetford pupils .

Have you considered Norwich High School for Girls?