London Private Senior School For "Tim Nice But Dim"? / Where Do Average Kids Go?

I don't want to put the cat among the pigeons, but are you absolutely wedded to the private sector? Children with 'various mild SEN' are often better catered for in the state sector. I've taught in both and it appals me how the children with CAT/MidYs scores of 95-110 are pretty much left to get on with it in a private school. They're stuck in small-ish bottom sets but there's no real support, and a real lack of TA's, who can make such a difference to less able children.

Can I just interrupt this thread to say that my friend's daughter got 110 CAT scores at her, pretty average comprehensive. She is currently doing her second year of medicine.

Whitgift is a great school.

Thank god I live out of London as I have the female equivalent of Tim Nice But Dim and there are millions of schools she could go to (not least our fab local state). London sounds horrific!!

OP, I know you've said boarding is for another thread, but I thought it might be worth mentioning that my DB, who struggled academically and is dyslexic, went to a Friends' (Quaker) school; their ethos might well suit your DS, as they develop talents other than the purely academic. My experience of them is admittedly a generation ago, but DB had a good time there and achieved. I know of 2 which are within striking distance of London - Sibford Ferris in Oxfordshire and Saffron Walden.

It's definitely a problem. DD's SW London prep is in the process of extending to include a non-selective senior section in response to the fact that the local 'safe' options (historically Emmanuel and SCHS) have become so oversubscribed.

What I find worrying is that the quality of the schools hasn't changed their results are improving just because sheer pressure of numbers in London enables them to be more selective. It's very hard to judge what value they are actually adding.

I hear increasing stories of DC who aren't 'top set' material being overlooked by schools keen to focus on the top pupils who might have a shot of a propspectus enhancing Oxbridge offer instead.

I find this extraordinary too, I have - variously - friends with perfectly bright boys all sending them to boarding school at 10 or so because "they'll never get in to a London school"; friends with dcs whose preps have told them they're highly likely not to get in anywhere (though to be fair, anywhere the parents will countenance seems to be the subtext here as many dislike the idea of their child attending a school with a less-than-stellar reputation) and friends with dcs at schools which formerly - though unofficially - prided themselves on catering for SENs, who have now been told their child will have to leave unless they pull up their socks academically.

There's money to be made here

I agree it is likely that wetherby will grown more selective over time, as has happened with the prep school but at the moment I think it is still pretty open, at least relative to some others

Agree this is an interesting thread - there does seem to be something of a lack of conversation and provision for this part of the market, and even an unwillingness of schools to even recognise that there surely has to be a range of ability options.

When we ask our prep where might make a good back up if a boy proves not to be up to going to westminster , whither most are headed, there is always muttering about "no where is easy in London". Really? So if they can't get in to westminster there is no where else decent but easier to access? Off to Stowe then.

All so silly

With a CAT score of 100 - 110, he should manage 55% on CE, or more importantly, pass the pre-test of the schools his prep school headteacher recommends.

I would also have a look at NBH Canonbury on its own merits and with an open mind. Some of the "mixed" feedback on NBH (at least here on MN) is related to their other senior school in Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead! You should make sure you know which site each piece of feedback you have received relates to. The Canonbury site starts at 13 (which is what you want) and has its own head etc. (NBH is sharing the brand across several separate schools!) Also, N1 sounds like it also fits your location preferences quite well. Agree with the "building mode" point.

You might also be interested in this thread from autumn 2015

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2490443-SW-London-Independents-where-do-the-bottom-80-end-up

I agree with @horsemadmom. I have a dc considering NBH and I believe their process has been the most 'human' of all schools - exam & interview on 1 day in a very relaxed setting. My ds received a letter a few days after the interview thanking him for coming - with references to specific things he said during the interview! Definitely made him feel like the interviewer was listening to him. Unfortunately I dont know much about the problems mentioned above so cant comment on them.

A consultant suggested both NBH & Wetherby to me as options for an average performing child ( I REFUSE to say 'dim') because both schools are in 'building' mode - in a few years they will get as selective as the other NW London senior schools because they can. The demand is there. So, both are worth a look now.

Red lemons
That's interesting - one of DS1's friends was looking at it as a flexi boarding option a while back but it looks like they will have to rethink.

St James are closing their boarding section (it had minimal take-up) so that wouldn't be an option. Train journey from Clapham junction is excellent though - about 24 minutes and school is right by the station the other end. Definitely easier to get into that most and they have a broad range of academic abilities however their SEN and additional help for those that struggle is disappointing.