I have a 5+ DS and a 7+ DD. we moved from USA last year. At the time of moving we had come with the understanding that this move is only for a year. We have lived in the Teddington area for a year now and my kids are going to an ofsted rated outstanding school. It is a really good school and we were happy with it.
Our circumstances changed recently and now we can live in London long term. Teddington is a lovely area, however it is a long commute for my husband (to Canary Wharf) and also it is not really a diverse area. Two things which are of primary importance to us when we live here long term. We are now looking at two areas - Wimbledon or Hampstead/Highgate area.
We would want our children to go to Independent schools. However once I started looking at the system to get into good schools in these areas I was completely baffled.
My children were going to Steiner schools in the US and have picked up a lot in one year at their school here in London. However their report card says that they are both average. I know with time and more years to fit in they will do a lot better. My DD got 2Bs and my son in reception is also middle of the class. My DD reads quite well (is currently reading Harry Potter on her own), is extremely articulate and is good with languages. Maths she finds a little more difficult, but that could also because she hasn't found the right teacher. My son who didn't even know his alphabets till last year can read simple three letter/ four letter words and connecting words. He can spell them too, however gets mixed up with his b and d's. I think they have done extremely well and with more time to settle in, might stand a fair chance of getting into really good schools.
Being new to the system, I do not understand what people mean when they say a really bright child. Would my kids stand a fair chance. We haven't pushed them academically till now, but they both want to work and enjoy studying.
Here are my questions
- What kind of schools should we aim for my son. Should it be a school that would get him ready for 7+. He will be going into year 1 this September. Will he stand a good chance of getting into a really good school (HABS, Highgate, UCS, Kings?? etc.). We are happy for him to work hard, but not get miserable in the process.
- A highly selective prep has a place in year 1 and my son's assessment is in first week of September. Should we get him tutored. Most people we spoke to said that it would make sense to get him tutored. Should we really tutor for getting into a prep school?
- What schools can we look for our daughter both in the Wimbledon are and in North London. She would be going in to year 3.
- Where my kids are, do they stand a chance of even clearing the admission test this September for the academically selective preparatory schools?
- A friend suggested Edge Grove and Orley Farm. Are these the kind of schools we should be aiming for right now. What are the other options that we should look at. Will these schools be too far from Highgate/ Hampstead?
As all schools are on a summer break, we have heard back from a few, however we might hear from more after the summer holidays,
I am sorry about such a long post. However we are really confused and school admissions seem such a crazy affair that we have been quite baffled by it till now.