Schools like Dallington, King Alfred’s?

[Clocktimer]

Looking for child-led, alternative private schools in North london.

Have come across these two, and love the idea of both.

Are there any more similar?

[Mary19]

sunrise.org.uk/

Or if you are north north London www.stchris.co.uk/

[Clocktimer]

Thanks for those mary19! But looked up Sunrise’s ofsted and it it got inadequate . I know ofsted isn’t everything, but inadequate sounds like there are fundamental problems! Do you know it well?

[Clocktimer]

Would love to hear any other suggestions if any others exist?

[Terentia]

Rosemary Works on the islington/Hackney border

Dania School in N7 (which is Requires Improvement)

St Paul Steiner School in Canonbury (but Mumsnet posters have strong views on Steiner schools)

Do you include Montessori schools?

[Clocktimer]

Hi Terentia, these are great! I definitely do include Montessori schools. Anything that’s not a hot-house, tbh!

[CruCru]

You may like the Lyceum and this Danish school that’s recently opened.

How old is your child? The Children’s House goes up to 7 and is definitely a Montessori school.

[CruCru]

You may also like the Academy.

Or the Gower school (www.thegowerschool.co.uk/upper-school/?_gl=116rza8v_ga*YW1wLXhTTy03Zmtka1RneWVnblFBNVdCbDd6WG8zUVZVeXRQVERnNDAxTnJtQnVfZFZIVGp5UlJEbVprNS01MGFoYy0.) - although there’s quite a long running thread about it under Education so it doesn’t suit everybody.

What are your plans long term? King Alfred goes up to 18 but the others are all prep or private primary schools. I don’t know of any “alternative” senior schools.

[Terentia]

Friends of friends send their kids to the Maria Montessori Institute in Hampstead, but apparently it only accepts children from certain Montessori feeder nurseries (!!)

Where do you live roughly, and how old is/are your child/children?

[Legoroses]

Um, I'm not sure how Montessori the Children's House is. Felt a little pressurised and bonkers to me.

And everyone tutors at Dallington. Seems somewhat a waste of time and money.

[Usernamealreadyexists]

Everyone tutors at the top preps also... Aldenham is a non-pushy independent.

[Survivalofthefittest]

I’d recommend Rosemary Works too. It’s a really lovely school.

[CruCru]

Actually that's interesting. The Children's House used to have loads about it being a Montessori on their website but there isn't any of that there now. They must have changed their approach.

[Legoroses]

I think the Children's House gives a good sell about being different and relaxed but actually the kids are sitting at tables learning letters and have no outside space.

I know most people on this thread wouldn't countenance it, but if you go to Paradise Park children's centre, for example, they believe in play first and foremost. They have amazing outside space. That is a child centred learning experience, but the social mix will be anathema to the people thinking about Dallington etc.

[Legoroses]

I am thinking about 2 and 3 year olds in the above post, and as you can tell, I think 2 and 3 year olds should learn through play, not sit at tables and be inside all day.