St Ronan’s compared with Tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells preps? Any insight?

[TheCalmHiker]

Is there any insight into St Ronan’s? We would prefer a more academically stretching prep.

We are currently very happy at our Tonbridge prep, but have just put in an offer on a house much, much closer to St Ronan’s (a dream house for us).

We did not like Holmewood when looking at Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells preps, as the academics seemed more of an afterthought. I am now slightly worried that the quirky element mentioned by parents at St Ronan’s might mean it is similar in this respect.

I am hoping that St Ronan’s is academically stretching in a similar way to New Beacon, Hilden Grange and Somerhill, and that the quirky element mentioned is more about being a little old school and having its own traditions. A traditional prep is really what we are after, rather than something too alternative. Academics, sport and music (strings) are the big passions for DC. Would be looking at schools like Tonbridge, Eton, Sevenoaks, Benenden, Wycombe Abbey etc

Otherwise, I will just have to accept the drive!

If you're already happy at the Tonbridge prep, I'd only switch if a visit at St Ronan's properly answers the academic stretch question for you. Quirky on here can mean lovely old-school traditions or a bit soft on CE prep, so ask straight up about senior destinations (Tonbridge / Sevenoaks / Benenden type places), what homework looks like in the older years, and how much strings actually happens midweek rather than as an add-on.

Sit in a lesson if they'll let you. Sport and music you usually feel on site more than from the website. Dream house is tempting but a miserable couple of years for DC would undo a lot of that!

You only need to look at the leaver destination schools (and the plethora of scholarships to them) to realise your fears are unfounded.

No, it’s not a hot house, and that’s a selling point to me… But a child who is academically inclined will be so much more than “stretched” there, they’ll actually leave with a love of learning and the skills to thrive at the Benendens, the Wycombe Abbeys and the Etons.