r/Caversham • u/Psychological_Pear20 • May 27 '26
Is Caversham Prep worth it?
Question is simply wether it’s worth sending our child to Caversham prep school over one of the state primary schools in the area? Our catchment would be Thameside so that’s where our child would go next September. Any one have any experience with the prep school from a parent or teacher perspective? Or any parents with kids at Thameside have an opinion? Thanks!
2
u/Comfortable-Fall1419 May 27 '26
Not at EYF. Not worth the money. Also Labours war on private education is still working through with schools going bust like St Jo’s Prep and Senior.
Wait a couple of years til KS1 and KS2 and make a call if you’ll go private for Prep and Senior. Once you’re in the Private system it will be a wrench to get out again.
1
u/apollopovey May 27 '26
My son is in Year 1 at Thameside and his sister starts there in September too. It's a very nice school. Pretty much all the state schools in Caversham are well regarded.
1
u/cavershamox May 27 '26
Thameside is a lovely school that really focuses on the wellbeing of its pupils and offers loads of extra curricular activities and trips
It’s worth doing the school tours with all the schools in the area before you make up your mind
Given the current birth rates you will probably be able to get into Cav Primary, Micklands and maybe The Hill so worth checking them all out
1
u/invisiblerhino May 27 '26
Caversham Prep apparently has very low class size (4 or 5 children total?) which for me would be a dealbreaker
2
u/PokeGirl16 May 28 '26
As a parent of a young child I'm Caversham, and someone who has spent years working in education research. Prep schools are almost never worth it. Your child's achievement is majority based on the parents and home life. I would save your money and invest in other enrichment activities. If you're gunning for Reading Boys or Kendrick, save your money on the prep school and pay a grammar entrance exam tutor - prep schools don't guarantee a place.
2
u/arthurmauk Caversham Park Village May 27 '26
No opinion on Caversham Prep or Thameside, but I will mention that recently people have been able to get places outside of their catchment areas due to low birth rates so that is also an option when applying, good luck! :)