Pre-prep schools in North Worcestershire

[lexie01]

Just started looking at pre-prep schools for DD (3) in North Worc area. Any thoughts/views on the independent schools in this area?

[slummymummy36]

Abberley Hall has a pre prep department and nursery. No personal experience if it myself but have heard it very very highly spoken of.
www.abberleyhallpreprep.co.uk/

[slayerette]

www.rgsao.org/the_grange

[lexie01]

thanks for the feedback. I have never heard of Abberley Hall so will have a look. Does anyone have any thoughts on Bromsgrove School (pre-prep) or Winterfold House?

[happywomble]

Do you have a DD or a DS? I would look at the junior schools of Royal Grammar/Alice Ottley and Kings School.

If you have a DD Springfield (one of the two junior schools of rgsao) would be lovely I would have thought - I don't think it has many boys in yet. (I am biaised - I went to the senior school years ago when it was all gals!)

[lexie01]

Thanks happywomble. I have a DD but because I live on the outskirts of Kidderminster I think the schools in central worcs may be too far. I have looked at bromsgrove, winterfold and holy trinity online but have not visited them yet. Do you know of anyone who has attended these schools (or others in this area?)

[Littlefish]

Have a look at Heathfield in Wolverley as well - it's only about 10 mins from Kidderminster. I know someone whose ds goes there. They are very happy with it.

Which is your catchment school in Kidderminster? Are you definitely set on private education?

[CMOTdibbler]

Can I hijack slightly and ask what people think of RGS The Grange vs Kings Hawford ? As we have a DS, Springfield wouldn't work - it's very girly

[slayerette]

I don't know anything about King's but am very very happy with RGS the Grange. DS is thriving there and absolutely loves it. Gorgeous site as well.

[CMOTdibbler]

Thanks - The Grange is beautiful. Trouble is, we just can't decide between the two ! They both seem so good.

Do you use the holiday care at RGS ?

[happywomble]

CMOTdibbler..I can't give any up to date advice on these schools as I went to AOS 20 yrs ago. My siblings were at Kings at the same time. We only experienced the senior schools. Both were very good.

If you are struggling to choose between the junior schools maybe look at the senior schools and see if you prefer one over the other, and choose the junior school accordingly.

Lexi - I don't know about Kidderminster schools as used to live west of Worcs. Some people used to come from as far as Kidderminster to AOS (now rgsao) but that was for the senior school. When your children are very young maybe it would be better to have them at a pre-prep nearer home unless you are planning to work in worcester.

[slayerette]

CMOT - we do use the holiday care and have always been very pleased with it. DS has done lots of activities in holiday club - this summer they are offering things like swimming, horse riding, fencing, bowling and archery; visits to the zoo, the Sealife Centre and Slimbridge, and visits from the animal lady, pottery painting workshop, magician and face painters.

[CMOTdibbler]

Thanks both. I feel very out of my depth in this choosing schools thing - defining what wasn't going to work (like Springfield) was easy. Just don't want to put him somewhere, and then someone says something like 'oh, but you know that the xxx at otherschool is soo much better, and the only people we know in the area are the parents of DS aged children at nursery - so not much help

[lexie01]

Thanks everyone for all your positive remarks. I agree with you CMO that it is very difficult to get completely independent information on inde schools - you either read the official lit or speak to parents who invariably have children there and possibly give slightly biased info (or not?). For me the central worcs schools are definately too far for small children - so will investigate bromsgrove and winterfold and hope I make the right choice! Good luck with your choice CMO

[CMOTdibbler]

Good luck to you too Lexie - hope you find one you like