Experience with The Villa School, early deposit

[ellenb]

Does anyone have experience of the Villa school in Camberwell? They have just accepted my daughter for Reception but want a hefty non refundable deposit two months before the Dulwich schools decide on their offers. I love the school but need to see if my child is offered a place to join siblings at another school first. Is it worth gambling ?1500? How has anyone else handled a similar situation?

[rachel83]

This is standard practice for all private schools to ask for the deposit well ahead of the state school places being offered. If you are in a position to do so, then you pay the deposit now and forfeit it should you be able to get the state school place that you require.

[minder]

ellenb, wouldn't your daughter be offered a place at the other school anyway, if you have two children there?

[caz6868]

usually all children who have siblings already attending the school are offered a place.check the schools website.I believe being offered a place because of siblings is usually about 3rd or fourth on there criteria..good luck

[minder]

Yes, you have to have a child already attending a school to get a place, it's not third or fourth on criteria.

[Mrs TP]

Have you checked the deadline the deposit is required? Often private schools do ask early for their deposits but if you check the small print the deadline for paying is normally after state school place offer date.

[ellenb]

Thank you for the responses. My daughter is not at all guaranteed a place at her sister's school where there is no sibling policy. I am also interested to hear from anyone with experience of the Villa. I was super impressed but would love to hear from someone who had children there please.

[toffeese15]

My daughter went to the nursery but not the school. However, we know several people who have children at the school and all are very happy with it. From what I've been told it's a lovely environment, which also does a good job of preparing children for prep school entry exams - if that's the route you want to take.

My only concern would be the size of the classes. A number of children start at the Villa but are then withdrawn if a place at their preferred state school becomes available. For instance, in the current Year One, I understand there are now only three girls in the class. There are obvious academic advantages to this, but it could be quite detrimental from a social perspective, especially if you happen to fall out with one or both of the other girls in the year. With the new extension, I presume they are planning to increase the intake, so this might not be so much of a problem in future years.