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Original poster

Moving to London and can't find any independent school places

35 replies

mummyinaus · 05/03/2016 20:52

Have DD and DS, 8 and 10, and moving back for DH's job relocation. Originally from London. Problem is, schools. Our DD enters senior school 2017, and places already are allocated at most private schools. Whats makes it harder, is she isn't that great at maths, and so many of the selective schools are going to be out! Shes fine at other subjects, average at maths.

I have called maybe 10-15 schools, and all the same message, "we are full", or "we examine all girls take top 15%".

Does anyone know of any schools that could have places, co-ed an advantage, but really at this point, not fussed. Looking at guildford, essex, redhill...various....argh.

If the school is close to a suburb commutable to canary wharf within 1hr15, that would be excellent!

Looking at state schools also, good ones. There is all about being in right catchment for september.

Moving to UK from aus is much harder than other way. Here, everywhere seems to have places.

OP posts:
mary21 · 05/03/2016 21:34

When are you arriving back in UK? All secondaries private/and state have just allocated their places for Sept 2016 . For September 2017 you apply for state October 2016. In dependants will close their lists on varying dates then even the less selective school will test Jan 2017.
One option would be to look at prep schools that go to age/13. Options to consider are New land House in Twickenham. Newton Prep in Batter sea. For boys Denmead in Hampton. Also another coed Twickenham prep. Less academic. I am sure others can give you other ideas.
Another idea is Eaton Square Upper . Prep school that is going to start a senior school in Sept 2017.
Some other less academic senior schools. Halliford Sheperton. St James Ashford. Portland Place.
North bridge House. Mill Hill/belmont. Aldenham.Thames Christian College. The Cedars. St Martha's (girls) . St Christopher's Letchworth. Box hill. Frensham Heights. I am moving out of London now.

redcaryellowcar · 05/03/2016 21:23

If you came a little further out there is a diamond school (they take boys and girls but teach them separately apart from in early years, and sixth form) called the Royal school it's in haslemere, I have a friend who teaches there. Haslemere to Waterloo is 50 minutes on a fast train?

OublietteBravo · 05/03/2016 21:17

Does it have to be a day school? Would you consider (or be able to afford) weekly boarding as an option? This would allow broaden your search area.

LIZS · 05/03/2016 21:17

Ewell Castle, Dunottar Reigate, Lingfield Notre Dame, Croydon schools such as
Old Palace and Royal Russell ? Or look at those with overseas boarders as they tend to be more understanding of circumstances such as yours. What are you particularly hoping for in a school for each child?

RandomMess · 05/03/2016 21:13

International School of London in Surrey?

www.islschools.org/surrey/home/

Notre Dame in Cobham?

Original poster
mummyinaus · 05/03/2016 21:09

I tried the main ones in guildford, then around essex (since crossrail is there), brentwood, and then redhill/reigate area. In terms of sides of London, if its commutable we are good to go! Sutton High school etc also, around cheam.

any tips would be appreciated, we are not after a "charterhouse", just a decent school.

The ACS does IB, and it pushes people into effectively a maths a-level or close, and often thats not great for everyone.

OP posts:
SqueegyBeckinheim · 05/03/2016 21:09

Have you looked at moving to Kent? Sevenoaks, Orpington and Bromely all might be worth looking at. Less than an hour from The city by train and quite a few independent schools.

LIZS · 05/03/2016 21:05

Do you mean Senior for this September, not 2017 ? Senior allocations for 2016 have only recently been made and there will be considerable movement particularly in the independent sector until mid April when the financial commitment is required. Now is probably a difficult time to call tbh. Worth keeping in touch with those schools who seem more amenable and see if they will assess her as a late entrant in case a place comes up.

You don't be able to supply for state schools until you are moving over to a confirmed address. Surrey LA , for example, will only consider an application a month in advance of the move, so you would be reliant on availability of places at the time you arrive. When are you due to arrive in UK?

AnotherNewt · 05/03/2016 21:00

Which schools have closed their 11+ lists for 2017?

Emanuel has, because it can only manage 600 applicants. And there's been speculation whether other schools will have to guillotine at a number that reflects their saturation point, but I hadn't realised it had become widespread.

Which side of London do you want?

(PS all schools always say top 15%, or perhaps 20%. Don't attach too much weight to that).

TheGreatSnafu · 05/03/2016 20:56

You might try the international schools - ACS Cobham. They do the IB. They are used to intake at any time of the year.