Good independent primary schools in North London

[anlon17]

We are looking to move back in to London and really pulling my hair out to identify a good school for my 3 yr old daughter. She goes to a great private school where we are currently.

Would anyone have some suggestions for good primaries around North London? I have been looking into Stoke Newington, Canonbury, Hampstead area. Cant find very many private schools there. Of the ones that I find opinions are very divided or poor.

If you are in North London and looked into private schools, which independent schools did you choose?

[CruCru]

Hi OP

My children go to SPCS - we get the bus from Islington.

I am surprised that you haven’t found many private schools in Hampstead. What is it that you are looking for? Single sex / mixed, prep / all through etc.

[CruCru]

It might be worth getting hold of a copy of the Good Schools Guide for North London. This divides the schools by area and you can see them on the map.

[anlon17]

Thanks CruCru. SPSC is accepting applications for 2023! I was hoping for a place in 2020 :(

I looked at NorthBridge house and King Alfred. NBH has lot of negative reviews. Thats put me off.

Any idea about schools near Stoke Newington and around?

[CruCru]

I don’t know Stoke Newington very well. A neighbour’s daughter goes to the Cavendish (Camden) and they are very happy with it.

[CruCru]

Do you have a feel for what sort of school you’d like? They vary from more relaxed, liberal schools to extremely rigorous.

[anlon17]

Yes will look into Cavendish! I haven't checked that one out well.

Really after somewhere where its a relaxed yet balanced approach to education. Have a preference for co-ed but not hell bent on it.

A school which would go to sixth form would have been great but generally in London, I find, many schools don't do that.

[CruCru]

Okay, here is a list. It isn’t exhaustive and some will be more to your taste than others.

Cavendish (Camden)
Charterhouse Square (City, get the bus from Islington)
Dallington (south Islington - same bus)
Children’s House (Islington - only goes to 7)
Rosemary Works (Islington)
Gower (Islington - there’s a thread somewhere in Education on this, it isn’t to everyone’s taste but I’ve met people who’ve been very happy with it)
The Lyceum (technically Hackney but really the City - they’ve just moved to new premises)
Queens College (Marylebone)

I haven’t included South Hampstead / Channing / St Christopher’s because I think they close their lists really early. I may be wrong though.

[PatienceVirtue]

Is there any reason why you're not looking at state schools? Generally those areas have great primaries. My children attended one that it is not at all sought-after and got places at some pretty selective secondaries (Highgate, City, etc).

We were open minded about state v private at primary and couldn't believe how much better the state options were in terms of space (especially outdoor), the heads, being co-ed, easily commutable etc.

[anlon17]

That's great CruCru. Thanks for sharing. How do you find taking kids to school on public transport in rush hour? My DD has experienced real city living yet. At her age though pretty sure she would adjust

[anlon17]

Patience, I am pretty open minded about it but my DH has made up his mind that it has to be private. We have argued so many times about this. I have really given up. I agree with you its sensible to look both private and state at least for primary school.

[squeaver]

Maybe you should look at a small pre-prep and then think about where you want her to go at 7+?

e.g The Avenue in Highgate or Clowns in Golders Hill or Annemount in the Suburb.

If you hurry, you could get her included in the 4+ assessments for Channing. HIghgate's pre-prep intake is 3+ at the moment but changing to 4+ maybe next year? Not sure. You might be too late for them anyway.

Also try King Alfred's.

As for transport, you really need to figure out where you're going to live. Looks like N1-ish, but then you mention Hampstead...

[PatienceVirtue]

Maybe you can persuade your husband to look round state option/s with an open mind. I remember a friend being set on private but her three criteria were non-selective, co-ed and walkable. And lo, the nearest state was the only and best one to deliver this.

[CruCru]

I find using public transport fine in the mornings - to be fair, we ride one bus door to door. If we had to get two tubes, I might feel differently.

You may also want to look at St Anthony's for Girls. I think this is quite far out but you mentioned King Alfred, which is in the same area.

[afewtoomanychoices]

Sarum Hall you should check out, also there’s the Village, Devonshire house , St Mary’s , St Anthony’s girls (which is opposite King Alfreds ).

[XelaM]

Depends what you want from a school...

My daughter is at Salcombe Prep School. Their pre-prep is absolutely lovely and everyone loves it. The prep school is VERY academic. The school's main focus is on getting their kids into the top selective grammar/independent schools. It's co-ed and only goes up to Year 6, but my daughter has been there since Reception (currently in Year 5) and the school really does get the kids into all the top schools. It's brilliant for bright kids who want to be pushed academically.

It's also slightly cheaper than other independent preps in North London. However, that comes at the expense of having less space and not being as pretty as schools like Highgate etc.

[dietcokemum]

Lots of schools go to 18 - NLCS, Channing, SHHS, Habs, NBH - but they are tricky to get into. NBH is less competitive than the others.

[CruCru]

South Hampstead used to have a system where you have a two week window during the September two years prior to entry to get your application in. Those girls would do a two stage assessment a year or so before entry. It may have changed though.

NLCS and Habs are meant to be great schools but they are far away (I think that technically neither are in London). Perhaps they are accessible from Hampstead but I think it would be a pig of a journey from Canonbury.

I don’t know all that much about NBH.

[AnotherUserName19]

Hi

Out of interest, could you tell us which school your kids went to please?

Thanks.

[anlon17]

Thanks everyone. I am checking out these schools now. Very helpful.

[stclair]

No one has mentioned St Christina’s. Lovely little school and now co-Ed all the way through.

[orangeblosssom]

North London Collegiate School
Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware,
Middlesex, HA8 7RJ

[Zodlebud]

Or live that little further out and have the best of all worlds. We moved out of London after having kids as I just couldn’t be doing with the schools stress thing. 30 mins direct train into London. Town is full of ex Londoners looking for balance. Great state schools and a genuine choice on private I.e. not just Uber academic with years of tutoring required.

I can honestly say our family life is 100% better than when we lived in central London.

[Wordchild]

Would you mind saying where that is? Thinking of moving out to similar distance but can’t decide where!

[Zodlebud]

@Wordchild - Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire

[Wordchild]

Thanks @Zodlebud. I have just had a look at Berkhamsted and the housing options are good value but it seems there are so many private schools (at secondary) that the state schools would be second rate. Would you have to really be thinking of independent to move there?