Suggestions for a primary school in north London?

[celik]

We are an international family moving to London this summer from overseas. We have a 2-yo son and a 5-yo daughter. They have both been attending a Montessori-style kindergarten since the age of 1.5. As it'll be a big change for us in any case, we thought we'd send our daughter to a state school. We are targeting areas in north London, such as East Finchley, Highgate, Archway and Tufnell Park. At this stage, we are looking into schools that put more emphasis on personal development than academic achievement. We have visited Martin, Muswell Hill, Northside and Highgate primary schools and liked Highgate the most. We are looking for other suggestions in these areas. We have heard good things about Tetherdown, Brookfield, Yerbury Grafton and Tufnell Park. Any feedback would be very helpful. Once we narrow down the list of schools, we'll optimize our residential choice to get into those schools. Thanks a lot!

[itssquidstella]

St Michael's in Highgate is excellent but you have to live about three metres away to get in. Coleridge Primary in Crouch End is also supposed to be very good.

[celik]

Thanks, I will look at Coleridge.

[Zinnia]

All the schools you mention are very highly-regarded. There are recent threads on here about the Muswell Hill schools that you might want to look at.

A little further south, the schools in Kentish Town are also excellent. Ashmount Primary is much sought-after too. I have a friend with children at Martin's and they are very happy with it.

It may seem a long way off, but basing yourself in Finchley/ Muswell Hill/ Highgate will set you up nicely for secondary, though beware the Fortismere/Alexandra Park catchment premium.