London School Advice Please: Slightly quirky 11yr old boy

Hi all , we have been offered a place for year 5. Did anyone go for HCH and have any feedback?

Oh just seen this is an old thread which people started posting on yesterday!

run under! (hopefully also fun)

OP, Kew House school are opening a new senior school, Maida Vale School that will be fun under the same ethos as KH in Sept 2020. I’ve attached a link to their website. Could be a great opportunity to be part of something new and less daunting than joining a big, established school?

Also, similarly, I believe Fulham Prep should hopefully be opening their new co-ed senior school in brand new premises in Parsons Green next Sept. Give them a ring maybe?

I would also look at The Hall School in Wimbledon - it has had issues of late but I was speaking to a friend recently who has had 2 dds there and she said that it's really overcome those now after a change of ownership and they are so happy with it. Quirky children seem to do well there. I'ts very small which could be a good or bad thing depending on your opinion!

Might also be worth looking at a Trinity? My quirky non sporty DS is extremely happy there, and the teachers seem genuinely interested in helping all the boys find their own niche, whatever that might be. My other DC went to very sought after state schools but enjoyed school far less because of the need to live up to much more rigid expectations with far less space for individuality; Trinity is a breath of fresh air and might suit your DS.

King Alfred Phoenix in Hampstead had been recommended to me as "quirky" and unusual but lovely. It's very small and very pretty grounds (my daughter performed in their theatre and it's such a lovely-looking school.

My son attended Hampton Court House till Year 2. I guess it would not be considered a “mainstream” school as there is no uniform, they speak a lot of French, and the children are on a first name basis with the teachers. It is a more informal atmosphere but we really loved it because of that. It is very academic but also places a lot of emphasis on character development. I would not say it had a large SEN population when we were there.

We really like Harrodian. We applied when DS was 11 and also quite quirky. Co-ed, non uniform, beautiful grounds, very easy going but still challenging academically for those ready to work for it.

Our son did change and mature a lot and in the end he opted for an all-boys public school, but we only have warm feelings towards Harrodian.

thank you cake. I might have a look.

It just genuinely offers something differnt QV, which some people don't seem to understand and they get slated for. Not all DCs suit "traditional" schools and sometimes the schools may not suit the parents who want something different. If you have a DC who struggles with authority and fights the rules all the time then HCH can be a fantastic choice. E.G. for a friend's DC compulsory games/PE is a major problem but at HCH the DC didn't participate - and the number one cause of conflict at school removed. Result a well behaved child learning.

But I also know a couple of friends who put DCs into HCH and moved them because what they really wanted a traditional LEH/Hampton type of school with all that goes with it, but less academic. The parents are much happier with one of the new local Indy schools recently opened which are much more traditional.

If you are interested please do go and look. I did for my DCs, but they are as boring and mainstream as DH and I are. Also the boys are hugely sporty so I would never send them to a school without a serious sports department, but I did think carefully about it for DD when she was young.

Following the thread with interest.

cakeisalwaystheanswer

what do you mean about Hampton Court not being a mainstream school? Does it have a high number of students with SEN do you know? Or is it more that its curriculum is different and it has no uniform?

Don't worry about the deadlines. London schools have expat DCs coming and going all the time and are set up for late applications, it shouldn't be a problem. Further out in the burbs deadlines etc do matter and there's less turnover but that can make it harder to fit in if you join late.
Call the schools and speak to the admissions team.

Be aware OP that Hampton Court is quite alternative and not a mainstream school. Suits DCs who don't fit in at normal schools and many travel some distance to attend. It was actually opened by one of the founding members of Harrodian.

Kew House is a new school. When it first opened a lot of families jumped ship from local Indys which they thought had become too academic for their DCs and they wanted something more nurtuting. Consequently, the results at the moment are lower than the surrounding state comps. But a lot of local parents are unhappy with the local state senior school option in the immediate area and they have piled in at 11+ which will bring the results up medium term.

I'd second Kew House and also Fulham School (new senior school opened by Fulham Prep).

I'd second Hampton Court

You're very welcome @Anniegre07. I know how worrying it can be. I hope you find a suitable place for you son and good luck with the move xx

Also I've heard Kew House is great - I have a friend with a son who sounds like yours and he absolutely thrived there.

Hampton Court House School might be another to consider. Co-Ed and no uniform. Don’t know much more about it but might suit a quirky child.