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Original poster

London independent boys' schools recommendations?

31 replies

KensalMama · 03/09/2019 19:16

Hello, my DS (9) has just started Year 5 at a well-regarded Central London independent primary school. We're thinking of putting him down for the ISEB pretest for Year 6. I have no idea where to begin looking at "good" schools & organising visits to open days, etc.
I have heard good things about Westminster, St Pauls, Haberdashers Askes, UCL in Hampstead... Any other top-tier schools? (I know they're very competitive, but our son is in the top "stream" so we're aiming high at this point).
We're based in NW10 so ideally somewhere Central/ West, but happy to commute for the right school. My son is friendly, bright, good at maths & quite a sensitive soul but very loyal to his friends. We're not interested in "snobby" schools - just schools with an ethos that promotes intellectual curiosity & which will hopefully help him get into one of the good universities.
Very grateful for any recommendations/thoughts on the subject and thanks to everyone in advance. :)

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Original poster
KensalMama · 12/10/2019 10:01

Thanks, everyone. Really helpful feedback. BTW, we would like DS to enter at 13+ as he’s loving his prep school. My DH went to Westminster & recently we went to their Open Day so I could see their impressive facilities & ethos. DS was also inspired. Let’s see what happens. We will also
try for St Pauls, CLS, UCS & in two minds about Latymer Upper & Habs. Any opinions on these would be welcome. (Dulwich is a bit too far for us, sadly) I’d like to ask for recommendations for other North /NW /West london schools, beyond these aforementioned “top-class” schools, in case DS doesn’t do well at the ISEB pre-test. Thanks in advance for helping me out (_)

OP posts:
Michaelahpurple · 12/10/2019 08:55

Looks like a good list. Westminster v good for sensitive souls if you can manage the commute (one of DS2s chums comes from way up on the metropolitan line so I guess it can be done.

With Paul's and westminster you need to decide if you want 11+ or 13+ - presumably the former.

I wouldn't at all say that westminster is snobby.

Notmynom · 10/10/2019 16:23

Worth looking at KCS Wimbledon too.

LeFaye · 09/10/2019 22:59

We were looking at some of the same schools, and had offers from a few. Our son fell in love with Dulwich College, and made his mind up then and there (he found Westminster too cramped, didn’t like the feel of City and didn’t like the art department at St Paul’s, which were the main schools we’d been looking at).

Dulwich is such a lovely school. For the top boys, there are endless possibilities and they are given the means to succeed and go as far as they want. But the atmosphere is relaxed, they don’t make a huge deal about being “the best”, they make every boy feel confident and welcome, and they focus a lot on personal growth. Very well organised too.

christmas2020 · 07/09/2019 20:08

I'm not sure why I'm so invested in this Blush Smile but regardless of whether he wants to do 11+ or 13+ the registration deadline is early in Y6...
OP- just visit them all and look at the websites for info- you will get a gut feel for them.

fancytiles · 07/09/2019 19:20

Yes, but I think she wants him to go after year 6 :) so he would be 11 not 13 :)

christmas2020 · 07/09/2019 11:22

OPs son is in Y5 so has another year to register for 13+.

fancytiles · 07/09/2019 10:23

I would say though that Westminster can be a little snobby- but not all parents are. With super competitive schools you are always going to get that to a certain extent but there are always nice parents in each year you just have to find them

fancytiles · 07/09/2019 10:21

St Pauls is 13+ but you need to register by mid sept this year 2019 to get him in for sept 2022 it's done 3 yrs in advance, these places have v long timelines

christmas2020 · 07/09/2019 09:18

13+ is the same as they do pretests etc in Y6 as well.

Talksunderwater · 07/09/2019 00:01

Not sure why Fancytiles thinks he won’t get into SPS or Westminster. You can certainly apply for both of them for the 11+ intake (into SPJS or WUS) until Oct/Nov at the beginning of Y6. 13+ entry might be different (perhaps that’s what Fancytiles is thinking of) so I guess it depends on when he would enter.

christmas2020 · 06/09/2019 23:58

Not true- You still have plenty of time for St. Paul's and I suspect Westminster. Registration is open until early Y6 so if your son is in y5 that's fine.

fancytiles · 06/09/2019 23:36

St Paul's or Westminster. But his name should have been down waaaay before now so he is unlikely to get in at this stage to those. Dulwich college is more relaxed with timings and a great school with amazing grounds. Good luck!

Rockylady · 05/09/2019 23:15

OP you should do your homework. Tons of information on Mumsnet re schools you could target from Central London.

Eton turned the corner once Harry got in so you should really listen to what Pete @peteneras has to say. If you have a really smart kid, do not overlook Eton. You never know, he could be the next PM!

CruCru · 05/09/2019 19:20

I’ve heard that both Alleyn and Dulwich are great - I wouldn’t want to schlep there from NW10 though.

DarlingOscar · 05/09/2019 18:47

Peteneras you absolutely asked for that one I’m afraid.

OP so many schools to choose from- if you’re after a day school then you need to be more specific on area I think?

user1493242132 · 05/09/2019 18:20

I’ve heard good things about Dulwich

peteneras · 05/09/2019 18:12

No, I don't get it @DarlingOscar. How can you call Eton a snobby school when the School gives financial help to at least 20% of its boys averaging two-thirds (66%) of its massive annual fee of appx. £42K with more than 80 boys not paying a bean towards school fees?

Eton spends around £7million annually towards charitable activities including scholarships and bursaries in addition to sponsoring some state schools and opening up its facilities to the general public, etc. You can hardly call this school "snobby", can you? Confused

Mary19 · 05/09/2019 15:38

Depends Where in NW10 you are but also
Latymer Upper
Merchant Taylor’s
John Lyon
Back up St Benedicts Ealing

DarlingOscar · 05/09/2019 15:24

eton is a snobby school for example. HTH Wink

afewtoomanychoices · 05/09/2019 13:49

Highgate, habs, city, ucs, st pauls and westminster are the key usual ones. Definitely look at Wetherby just to see it and have it on your list. All great schools and offer different things.

peteneras · 05/09/2019 10:43

I'm trying to work out - without success - what is a "snobby school". Please advise.

Original poster
KensalMama · 05/09/2019 07:41

Thank you, great advice! :)

OP posts:
CruCru · 04/09/2019 16:47

Hi OP

The list that JoJoSM2 shared looks good. I’m ow that Eaton Square and Wetherby have opened senior schools (new so no GCSE results yet). Other people might be able to advise you better but these might be worth a look, even if they don’t end up your first choice.

Other than that, it might be worth getting hold of a copy of the Good Schools Guide for north London - this splits schools into areas.

Michaelahpurple · 04/09/2019 14:12

Is city of London too far?

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