Parent's Review of Herries Preparatory School in Cookham Dean, UK

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Herries Preparatory School

In what town or city is this school located?

Cookham Dean

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

British Private School

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Nursery-Year 6 (ages 3-11)

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

As this is a small private school (fee paying) in a small sleepy village, there is no arranged transport. Children lucky enough to live close to the school walk and other are driven by their parents.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The school is a quaint old house once lived in by Kenneth Grahamme who wrote The Wind in the Willows whilst living there. The classe size is no more than 20 children, so each pupil receives a lot of one on one attention from the teacher. The ethos of the school is that the children are happy in their learning environment and it is working. Last years 11+ results were fabulous. The school has recently been redecorated and will have a new school hall built during the summer of 2004.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

My children were young enough that they never attended school in the US. This is a typical UK private school that follows the National Curriculum. Because each class is so small, the teacher is able to help children that have moved from other countries. My daughter had a girl from Japan move into her class and Meg couldn't speak any English. In no time at all, she was speaking as well as all of the children and excelling in her class work.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There is a Parent's Association who provide social events for the parents as well as fundraising events and events for the children such as Easter and Christmas Parties. Parents social events have included: Auctions, Riverboat Dinners, Formal Balls, Racing Evening, etc.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

This is a wonderful school, full-stop. If you want your children to be welcomed into a warm family and experience a traditional British school, this is the one for you! If you plan to live in England for a short time and don't want to experience life as a British citizen, stick to the American Schools. I don't regret my decision for a minute.

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