Suggestions for independent schools in London for a daydreamer boy

[dinkystinky]

DS1 is bright, funny, loves reading, but slow to commit anything to paper and abit of a day dreamer. Not sporty in the slightest. Probably some form of SEN but not enough for school to allow extra time/recommend assessment. Does better in smaller class environments so we're looking at independent secondary schools for him. We live in North West London - with links by tube to central London and access via the overground to south and west London.

So far we've looked at a few schools including

• Northbridge House (not sure)
• Thames Christian College (liked it)
• Emanuel (liked it but worried its abit too sporty/intense for DS)
• Kew House (loved it and their vision)
• King Alfreds (loved it but odds heavily stacked against getting in)
• Wetherby Senior School (all boys - DS not keen on single sex but liked it otherwise)

Any other suggestions for places for us to look at?

[mary21]

Mill Hill? St Columba'sSt Albans, St Chris letchworth (has coach service) St Edmunds Ware again has coach service

[CruCru]

I've heard nice things about Portland Place.

[WorkingItOutAsIGo]

Just a suggestion, as the mother of a boy who was very slow to commit things to paper, have you actually had him seen by an educational psychologist? It was transformational for my DS and only done very late in the day as I thought there was no major problem. He turned out to have a very specific issue and learned about how to handle it and to my astonishment qualified for extra time in essay subjects. You may already have done this, it's just you sound very like I was!

[sleepwhenidie]

I was going to say Portland Place too, or Mill Hill

[sleepwhenidie]

Is he at an independent school now? If so what has HT suggested?

[Michaelahpurple]

Ha! You could be describing my son.
A bit left field, but a former school gate contact of mine was raving on about how happy she was with the Halcyon School, in terms which might be worth looking at.

[Cleo1303]

There is also Radnor House in Twickenham if that is not too far out.

DD has friends from her prep who go to Kew House and all the parents seem pleased with it although one said her daughter is disappointed by the music side of things. Our prep had a brilliant Head of Music and she is pretty uninspired with music at Kew House. That doesn't matter a bit if your DS isn't musical!

Another boy went to Thames Christian College and is doing well. He has mild SEN and it seems to suit him. Apparently they should be moving to another nearby location in 2017. It certainly seems to be a nurturing school and he is very happy there.

DD goes to Emanuel which she loves. It is a very sporty school but not all children get very involved in sport if they are not that keen. They'll just do the normal three periods a week. Their chess players are highly valued too if your DS is interested in that. They are very strong on music and drama if your DS likes those.

I loved it when I first visited but I know a number of parents at DD's prep felt as you do and wanted something a little less "busy" for want of a better word.

[Moominmammacat]

Aldenham or St Columba's?

[dinkystinky]

Thanks all for your suggestions and feedback - all very much appreciated. Will check out all the additional schools suggested. DS1's school has suggested the ones above that I've listed plus Portland Place. Great to hear feed back on Emanuel and Kew and TCC Cleo - thank you.

WorkingItOut - DS1 sees the SEN at his primary school and its definitely a slow processing issue (as verbally he knows it all and is happy to tell you all about it). We discussed with the school having him seen by an ed psych but they felt (a) he wouldn't qualify for extra time for entrance exams and (b) it would be better to do it in year 6 nearer secondary school time. Can I ask how your son found the ed psych experience?