Chigwell, Forest or Bancrofts?

[Lizp43]

We are looking at schools for DS.

1. Any views on pre-prep at Chigwell or Forest? What are the class sizes like? Which school is better?
2. Is pre prep worth it, or should we wait for prep, at say Bancrofts?
3. Chigwell is our nearest school. Any pros / cons parents can share?

Thanks

Liz

My DD didn’t go to any of these schools for pre-prep but did attend another independent. Personally, unless you’re financially comfortable, I think paying for pre-prep is a waste of money but the advantage I do see is that I understand the pre-preps automatically transfers their pupils to the prep school without them having to sit the common entrance exams.

Bancroft’s is known to be the most academic.

My DD sat Forest and Bancroft’s for 11+, got offered a place but we opted for the local grammar instead.

Pre-prep is always worth it to settle a child in a school environment before 5 IMO. You also receive your state nursery funding credit against the fees so quite a lot of families use Pre-prep as a nursery place which is a steady 5 days pw and makes planning work/family life much easier etc.