Can anyone recommend DUCKS?

[Issybarnes76]

Hi all,

We have just moved to ED, and although it's a fair way off we are already looking into schools for young Monty. I have heard DUCKS is outstanding, however I have heard very little about other private schools within the area. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Issy and Hugh.

[Wayraw]

Hi there

I taught at DUCKS for a few terms as a visiting music teacher in the kindergarten and always thought the staff were lovely and attentive to the children. Would definitely recommend it. Also have friends with boys at Dulwih Prep who are really happy and Alleyns is very good.

Hope that helps. You are right to be thinking about it sooner rather than later though.

Rachael :)

[pebbles]

I've only heard amazing things about DUCKS. There is a long waiting list though so you really need to get his name down.

My son is at Dulwich Prep and it's also fabulous, you have to put their name down but there's also an assessment. Herne Hill, Alleyns, Oakfield and Rosemead are others you should look at.

Good luck with your search. We are very luck to have so many on offer.

[VALFR59]

It depend if your child is a boy or a girl for the choice of schools as some are not mixted.

We are very happy that our son gets in DulwichPrep for next september entrance, after his assesment this january as It was my favourite in term of "values, children/education approach" and equipments/modernity (I found that you know where your money is going there).

I've heard only very good feed back from friends and neighbours who have kids in DUCKS/Dulwich College but the waiting list is crazy mad...I've applied when we arrived in the UK in May 2010 and my son is on a reserve list for 2015 (kind of second waiting list I suppose)! for joking I asked the registar if the ladies here were used to apply the first month of their pregnancy (or as soon as they have the project to be pregnant) and surprisingly SHE CONFIRMED it to me with a lot of serious :)

In term of secondary schools results , I've read that among the Top 100 secondary privates schools of the UK, you have Alleyns, then JaGS and in third position Dulwich college (I am not from these country and your system is still not perfectly known by me in term of types of exams etc, but I might remember the classification were talking about A+/A rate at the A level exam)

You can have a look at : http://www.best-schools.co.uk/league-tables/a-level-passes.aspx

Dulwich Prep stops at 13yrs old (boys only after nursery time mixted from 3 to 5 yrs) but the kids don't seem to have any problems to get in Alleyns/Dulwich college or grammar schools thereafter (in our case , we don't really mind as we would probably be away of the UK at that stage of his scolarship).

I visited Oakfield and Rosemead (both mixted), but I didn't like at all both of them (I can give you my point of view on Pm if you need).However I've heard good things about rosemead from parents I know who have girls. Less unanimous opinion about Oakfield but through the EDF you can find good fee-back.

Depend the age of your child, but there are some very nice nurseries around here. Our son is currently in one of the three Nellys nurseries and we are super happy about the staff/venue/acctivities. I also liked Little jungle nursery as our second choice .

You have to visit the schools to have your OWN feeling , and apply ASAP to be in the list of the next assesments sessions.

Good luck!

[busyworkingmum10]

Not sure how your search went, DUCKS is a fantastic place for children from Kindergarten into the infants school. Have had 2 children here and have nothing but good things to say. Staff are amazing. My only down side if any is that they don't go beyond year 2! The assessment can be tough mainly on the parents.

[budur]

Yes, you need to sign up to DUCKs when you get pregnant straight away. With the first one I signed her up at when I was 6 months pregnant and she didn't get in at 3 and went to Herne Hill school instead. Learned from that and the second one was on the waiting list the day I discovered I was pregnant and he's going there in September when he'll be two. This is first come first serve school/nursery. Most of others are selective, so there's an assessment when they are 2-3 years old. Good luck!

[midivydale]

Assessment at 2 yrs old? Seriously?!?

I am reading up on these things fast as I am not from the UK and my son will start school in 2016.

He is 16 months old and the thought of him being assessed in a few months time seems utterly bizarre?

Excuse my naivity but is the above a joke or serious? Are children being assessed at 2 yrs old?

[Monkey]

Can't recommend DUCKS enough. My daughter just completed her first year at the school. Great school, great teachers, fabulous grounds. We're leaving because we got a place at a good state school (which will do some good to our bank account!).

I do agree that assessing 3-year-olds is bizarre. I love that DUCKS does not do that.

[Undiscovered]

Can I ask an additional question? Are there people currently at DUCKS who are working parents? If so do you mind me asking what they do after school (believe after school club ends at 430pm I could be wrong?) thanks

[mumum]

I suppose you mean working mums!? I work more or less full time, but my working hours are flexible enough to pick up at 3pm some days. My child has been there for a year. The kids can start their day at 8 am and stay until 4.30, but it might be different as they get older. The after school clubs list from reception onwards looks very inspiring: lego club, mandarin, football, ballet, etc, but why not call the school up for a list and times?

In my opinion, DUCKS is incredibly supportive to working parents. A lot of parents seem to be teachers there and in the families I have met, many parents are both working. The teachers and staff at DUCKS make enormous efforts for the children there. It is a wonderful place.

We have a nanny picking up once or twice a week to give me some longer days, and many parents have childminders, nannies, grannies (lucky ones!), and au-pairs picking up and also share pick ups.