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What says..

School not exactly known for encouraging individuality or anything remotely left of centre so we half expected a bunch of sullen-looking military-types (bearing the school crest and motto ‘serve and obey’), but we met spirited boys, all seemingly relaxed and happy and talking 10 to the dozen, although one pupil did mention that he would ‘like less homework.’ The boys are encouraged to think creatively. Stimulating lessons can involve making motorised cars in design technology, and flying hand-made helicopters from the hall balcony when learning about weight and force; younger boys design and ...

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What the school says...

The pre-prep is based at
Hazel Road, Park Street, St Albans. Hertfordshire.AL2 2AH

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All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

What The Good Schools Guide says

Executive Head

Since 2022 Mrs Kate Umpleby BSc PGCE, previously head of early years at Harrow International School, Bangkok. A psychology graduate from Warwick with a PGCE from Northampton, she has worked entirely in independent schools: several years at Kimbolton School, followed by Manor Lodge School before departing for SE Asia in 2015. Mrs Umpleby was herself born in Hong Kong.

Entrance

Selective entry at 5+ and 7+. Pre-prep: first round of assessments in age bands; tasks aim to ‘identify potential’. Those called back for second round have individual 45-minute assessments. Parents interviewed by head, though that’s by no means a decision maker. Thirty-six places in total, with five or six chasing every place.

Prep: around 120 take reading, writing, maths and verbal reasoning tests, competing for 18 7+ places; some 48...

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