Why is Prince George not going to secondary school until after he turns 13?

[MinnieMounjaro]

Prince William reveals Prince George, 12, is already boarding at £10,669-a-term Lambrook School mol.im/a/15846933 via https://dailym.ai/android

I saw this article in the DM saying Prince George is currently boarding at Lambrook "ahead of moving to his secondary school in September". He turns 13 in July so the thought occurred to me - why is he still in primary school? Should he not have started secondary in 2024 when he was 11?

I suspect the reason foreign royals go abroad for sixth form or university is to study in English at top global universities which a strong international student cohort, which will assist them in their future duties of representing their country abroad. For the British royals, whose language is English and where much of the higher education system has been globalised, this is less of an issue.

Lambrook is a preparatory school, not a primary. Eton takes pupils from 13, the do the common entrance exa,, so do many other public schools. That is normal.

It's good if George is going to Eton, close to home and his dad enjoyed it there.

@LBFseBrom there are 126 posts before yours. Did you not think someone might have answered the question by now?

On MN it’s considered both polite and sensible to read the thread before posting.

Totally off topic but omg that sounds wonderful

I think there’s something else worth saying here. The staying at prep until 13 is very common and very good for many children, esp boys. It allows them to mature in a smaller more nurturing environment when they are going through massive changes. They become top of the school at 12/13 with additional responsibilities which doesn’t happen when children change school at year 7.

Its a bit like intermediate school, I think Dorset still has some of these and I think it’s common in Australia and NZ.

When they then start in year they are preparing for GCSEs. I think the state system could do worse than separate years out like this for boys and girls.

Anyway that’s why he’s going at 13. Marlborough is my bet so all the children go to the same school.

It really does! Like something out of a Christmas card.

CE results are shared with families tomorrow.

I know people in real life who have known for a long time where Prince George is going to school, down to the exact house. I am impressed people have kept schtumm about it and that it wasn’t leaked to the press or online. It includes children who knew. Well done them.
Makes me think Prince George is going to be OK as he has good people surrounding him who will be loyal to him. Despite social media etc.

And frankly whether it was going to be Oundle, Wellington, Teddies, Eton, Harrow, Highgate etc who actually cares. All these schools would have looked after him well.

@Ziegfeld - why do they have to tell anyone before September when he starts and will be in his uniform? When they may share a pic. I thought they told the public more widely once they started last time.

As if he has to pass CE to get into their chosen school!

Oh sorry your RH, poor result ole boy, can’t have him here 🤣

They are probably being a little bit careful after the fiasco of poor dim Harry not quite managing to keep up.

Yes, not a good look for a future king if the teachers have to do his Art A level work for him.

DH boarded. 8 - 13 prep and then 13 - 18 at public school in Shropshire. Think it’s normal.

Same way normal play dates are set up.

Are you thinking its W&K asking a servant- can you call Farquars mum and invite him over Geo would like a play date?

The servant then reaches for his quill pen and scribes on a vellum scroll: 'The mama of Fa-fa-farquar is commanded by Her Most Royal Highness the Princess of Wales to supply dates on which Fa-fa-faquar would have the freedom and leisure to pass a convivial three hours with His Royal Highness Prince George and partake of afternoon tea at the Forest Lodge in the Great Park of Windsor. At the foot of this scroll is provided the space for the appending of dates and dietary preferences.'

A junior servant next mounts a horse to convey the scroll, wrapped in a pig's bladder for protection against the rain, to the home of Fa-fa-faquar and his mama.

😂
Do we think the Royals give out phone numbers without a second thought?

Burner phone/SIM for school contacts? No issue.

@viques
Harry started in Eton the year after his mother died. There were probably compassionate reasons for allowing him to go where William was and he would be close to Windsor.

They are probably being a little bit careful after the fiasco of poor dim Harry not quite managing to keep up.

That’s quite spiteful - given the circumstances of his mother’s death, as a pp has pointed out, it was fair enough to let him go to the same school as his brother and which was near his family.

Even so, the teachers should not have needed( been commanded?) to do his Art A level work for him.

King Charles and Queen Elizabeth both come/came across as very intelligent, measured and very well educated/knowledgeable. In fact, more up there than a lot of the most senior politicians we have seen in recent years. So not sure why the Royal Family has this supposed rep of not being intelligent.

So not sure why the Royal Family has this supposed rep of not being intelligent.

It’s a popular mumsnet view - the Royal Family are all thick. Etonians are also all thick.

For the British royals, whose language is English and where much of the higher education system has been globalised, this is less of an issue.

British royals are more likely to spend time in a Commonwealth country. Prince Charles (as he was then) and Prince Harry both spent time in Australia. Andrew went to Canada and Edward to NZ.

King Charles and Queen Elizabeth both come/came across as very intelligent, measured and very well educated/knowledgeable.

Prince Philip was also a highly intelligent man with a huge range of interests.