City of London Boys - to be or not to be

[rinxxx]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on what kind of environment does CLB provide for kids in terms of academics and extra curricular activities? What are the other schools of the same league that you would compare to CLB? Thank you in advance for all your inputs.

[MN164]

I know of 2 boys there. One now at Uni and one current. Both very happy and doing well.

As for comparable schools, academically there are plenty in London capable of similar outcomes but there aren't many with the same "feel". You will know that from open days (assuming you have or will go).

For what it's worth (and it really isn't worth much) my "boys" list was like this (and it depends on your commute limits etc):

• Westminster
  
• St Pauls
  
• UCS
  
• CLB
  
• QE Boys
  
• Latymer Upper
  
• Latymer Edmonton
  
• Highgate
  
• Dame Alice Owens
  
• Forest
  

They all have a different mix of ingredients:

• urban/suburban/rural
  
• girls or none
  
• routine vs laissez faire
  
• choice vs set paths
  
• privilege vs mix
  
• pomp and circumstance vs down to earth
  

When I look at CLB it seems a very different place to many of the others on that list. I had a view on Westminster and QE Boys that neither were right for our lad, but that's not relevant as your lad will be different.

[rinxxx]

MN164 Thank you so much - that was very very helpful. Esp the list. I must say your list is pretty good and had a very good mix so I would definitely use it to begin my research. CLB's a definite favourite and I have been thinking about HABS too. But I think both are very different and not that my DC will get through both. Its so confusing!!!

[MN164]

Not seen Habs, but I'm guessing they are quite different in a superficial way but also in their intake.

If you suspect that your son could be happy and do well at either of these schools then the blessing is that you have lots of good schools to chose from that could fit.

Set a number of schools you are happy to go for, go for those entrance processes and then decide (or not) based on the results.

Perhaps have a couple of options that have less academic rigour (selection) that he/you like too?

I've heard of kids sitting for as many as 8 (!) schools. Our son did two. I think most people go for 3 or 4, get offers from 2 or 3 and then go back to the schools before choosing.

At the end of the day, there are lots of good schools (state private etc) and you should relax and make sure he's relaxed about it too. If he's super keen on one make sure he buys into a back option too.

[Springisontheway]

Interesting list MN164. Looking at the list, I am surprised that Forest is on the list but Bancrofts is not. Was Forest just there as a "backup?"

[MN164]

Spring - Bancroft was just too far from the right commuter routes for us whereas Forest was just about OK. Whilst, for example, DAO is much further out, it is on exactly the right overland line.

I'm sure there are many schools I've left out simply because they didn't work for us commuting wise.

[Springisontheway]

Makes sense. I see Bancrofts as just a bit further on the Centeal Line/no. 20 bus, but depending on your starting point, it's just a little bit too far.

We loved Habs girls, particularly my husband, but it just wasn't a sensible commute, even though it's really not that far away as the crow flies.

[rinx]

Just to re-engage on this topic - do you know of any good feeder schools in the East or South East of London that facilitates to CLB and alike? I am struggling to find any except Blackheath Prep ☹