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Original poster

Independent Boys school in London for expat

55 replies

expat1407 · 10/05/2016 08:45

Hi All,
This is my first topic here, so please excuse me if I ask some silly questions.

We are currently in Switzerland and husband tells me that we may be moving to Lodon in a year's time. My Son would be in Year 9 at the time of our move, he is in Grade 6 ( Year 7) now.

We may go in mid-session Year 8 or Year 9, not sure yet

I am trying to do some advance homework on what schools to target. I need Private school as I don't think he will fit in state system after his International school experience.
He is Maths and Science boy, not very sporty, but doesn't mind trying sports. He is above average , but not a genius. He loves challenging work at school and is ready to put in a lot of efforts for studies. His English is also good. Been born and brought up in UK till Year 5 ( not in London )

I know London is very vast, our apporach is to find a school and then move to an area that is near school. Husband's office location is not a problem.

My little research on Mumsnet has thrown names of Hampton Boys and Whitgift .
Please can you suggest me more names, so that I can begin my research on schools.

Thanks

OP posts:
Cleo1303 · 10/05/2016 11:51

Ibstock, Emanuel and Kingston Grammar are co-ed, as is Latymer Upper.

Did you specifically want Boys only?

He'll almost certainly have to sit the 13+ exam but if he's reasonably bright that should be fine.

All the schools mentioned so far have been in SW London. There is also City of London Boys, KCS Wimbledon, UCS Hampstead, and Dulwich College. All of those are Boys only.

Needmoresleep · 10/05/2016 10:20

State schools wont entertain till you have an address. However there is always churn in London so if you are living next door to the school you will be top of any wait list, though it is worth checking if yhour move is delayed so that schools have already started preparing for GCSEs and be less willing to take a new pupil on or allow them the same range of options.

In terms of privates there is often a certain amount of churn at the start of Yr 9. But there are also a number of preps who finish at the end of yr 8, so some will run more formal application processes. If you have a reasonable idea of when you might move, I would put out feelers early. At minimum it will alert you to possible problems. There is pressure on school places in both sectors as Lonodn's population continues to increase. Also they may well expect your son to pass some form of test so you will need to cover the ground. (Up to 13, the Galore Park "so you really want to learn..." books cover the 13+ Common Entrance ground.)

Original poster
expat1407 · 10/05/2016 09:51

NMS - Thanks for the tip on Goodschool guide. I will do it asap.

Do you think talking so well in advance, when we do not have a moving date will get us any response from schools? I will get started on emailing once I have some concrete date/year of moving. On MN, I am fishing for a school list and some ideas.
I have noted - Ibstock, Kingston Grammar, Emanuel.

I am sure State schools won't entertain till we have an address.

OP posts:
Needmoresleep · 10/05/2016 09:24

I also would not write off state. You have the advantage of being able to move right next to a popular school (Graverney?) which should guarantee you a place. These wil also be listed in GSG.

Needmoresleep · 10/05/2016 09:20
  1. Get an on-line subscription to the Good Schools Guide. This will give you a pretty full list of the sort of London schools mentioned on MN.
  2. Email the schools that sound promising, give a brief and realistic penpicture of your child and your circumstances, and ask about the likelihood of them having occassional places at the point you will be moving and what the procedure would be for him to apply for entry. (Try also schools like Ibstock, Kingston Grammar, Emanuel, leave out the big name ones, but there will still be an awful lot who are less selective but who will get a bright child to the right place.). If you can, say confidently that you expect to be herre for the remainder of your child's education.
  3. Depending on the response, either look at and puruse those schools who have been encouraging or look at the more traditional expat schools. If you dont get any encouragement anywhere, and you should be able to target perhaps 20 schools, you might have to look at schools used by the more mobile expat population. Portland Place should be on your list, but here are others. At this point I would be looking at a relocation expert to help guide. GSG have a service but so do others.