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Original poster

SW London independent schools. Average child?

36 replies

Vegiereggie · 03/02/2021 17:38

Has anyone got a perfectly average girl into a SW London independent? Our daughter is wonderful, chatty but perfectly average. She goes to a state school and has one tutoring session a week. Is it worth pursuing an independent place or should we just park it. Not interested in prepping her within an inch of her life, though perfectly happy to help her familiarise herself with the exam format.

OP posts:
Stircrazyschoolmum · 03/02/2021 19:50

Sorry.. pushed send to soon! Meant to say there are heaps of excellent state schools do you have to know why you want to pay.. I.e extracurricular activities or a specific interest..

Stircrazyschoolmum · 03/02/2021 19:45

Having been through the process this year I would give another vote to streatham and clapham. Warm, friendly and down to earth, certainly not a hot house. However, it depends what you think you a more buying? There are heaps of excellent state schoolp

daisypond · 03/02/2021 19:30

@Vegiereggie

Mine went to Streatham and Clapham after a state primary at age 11. But it was several years ago now, and might have been easier to get into then. I think it’s harder now. There was no problem getting into it, though they did contact us afterwards saying they had concerns about her English - which was a surprise to us, as we thought her English was OK, while we knew her maths was awful. I don’t know if we’d make the same decision again. It was a lot of money and probably not worth it. Hard to say if a state school would have been better. We wanted smaller classes and better behaviour, which we got, in the main. She moved to a state school for sixth form.

AveEldon · 03/02/2021 19:05

Northwood Senior also worth a look

Rodent01 · 03/02/2021 19:03

@Vegiereggie yes, but I’d assume a lot of the top academic will go off to top proven schools - some will want proven results / have siblings at other schools etc. Just wondered if it might mean less competition!

SouthLondonMommy · 03/02/2021 18:55

There are plenty of independent schools for average children.

Streatham and Clapham is not too far from you and is quite popular school that you can join early and stay until 18 so no exam pressure.

The majority of independent schools are for average children and aren't terribly difficult to get into. You just have to ask if they really offer value compared to your local state options.

Original poster
Vegiereggie · 03/02/2021 18:42

Thanks all.

Balham and surrounding area. Don’t want huge journeys.

Daisypond do you think your daughter fluked the admissions tests then? Did she enjoy the additional opportunities at her school or not really? I’m not sure she would be terribly bothered about being in bottom sets which is possibly why she is average Grin.

Rodent01 I was always under the impression that Thomas’s was super selective. Certainly the kids I know who go to the prep are waaaaaay ahead of DD.

OP posts:
daisypond · 03/02/2021 18:22

My average state-school middle-table child went to an independent secondary in SW London. No tutoring. We did try once but she was too resistant, so only had one session. Was in the bottom sets while there, so be careful what you wish for. Whereabouts in SW?

Rodent01 · 03/02/2021 18:16

Thomas’s is opening a secondary school this September, might be an option as they don’t always take those that are the top academically? And as a new school it might not be as competitive until it shows results in 5-8 years time?

After8itsgrownuptime · 03/02/2021 18:12

Big vote here for st catherines. I moved DD from a prep achool and have been very impressed by them

sanam2019 · 03/02/2021 17:48

Probably Kew House / Radnor House / St Catherine's, Ibstock Place maybe. Where in SW London? It's a large area!