St Paul and King's

Are you coming from state or private? As I think they want state dc applying for 11+ and private for 13+, or if you go for 13+ they have to approve of the school you are going to until 13+ (most likely has to be prep so you are not too behind when joining at 13). This is my understanding at least.

No, we are actually sitting the 13+ at 11 years of age.

Depends what you mean by soft.
In the junior school I think they are actually very kind to each other. Yesterday my DS’s son’s team lost at rugby, at least 3 of them were crying about the fact they had lost afterwards, which is seen by the others as totally normal/fine (these kids are 12-13 years old).
One child said in a lesson that he had 2 friends out of school and none in school (child is definitely very odd). Think they all cringed, but my DS told me no one laughed or sniggered, and it wasn’t mentioned again afterwards.

So from that point of view, I wouldn’t worry. On the economics side however - it is extortionately expensive, and I would question thevalue for that money, to be honest.

@Hommegirl , you know if you are aiming for 11plus there are only 36 spaces and your ds will spend 2 years at the junior school before moving to the senior school. It's incredibly competitive to gain an offer.

I would suggest you apply the find out yourself during the process.

Can anyone pl throw some light on social, emotional and economical side of things at St. Paul’s? We are a normal, single earning family, wanting to give our only son a school that’ll support him not just achieve his academic potential but give him various opportunities to explore different sides of his personality in his teen years. We don’t want to land up in a school that’s just aping our society where the strong become stronger and those a bit soft, are pushed behind, pigeonholed!!

They are all great schools. It depends whether what is most important to you is the vanity of small differences between highly thought of schools. Or which you and your son feels is a better fit for them, where they are most likely to be happy and thrive.

I would visit them and apply to those you feel would be the best fit, then see what your options are for deciding at the end of the process.

Historically, and things may have moved on, but Westminster used to have a shocking reputation for bullying. On that basis I didn't bother even asking for the prospectus in 2002.

“SPS and Westminster have been, are and will always be the top 2.”

@Caps0218 we got your view in every possible thread already, but even it is true, how was the top 2 being useful for a individual child?

Personally I think SPS is still very sought after and it does have the established name. If you have a choice of SPS you take it….just my opinion.
SPS and Westminster have been, are and will always be the top 2.

Westminster was 176 to UK, 40 international (35 to US and 5 to EU).

I may be missing something on the Westminster University destinations page but they only mention Oxbridge, Imperial, UCL and LSE and lump all the other UK universities into 'Other'. I find that a bit irritating and maybe says something about the school and parents.

"St Pauls sent 39 to overseas universities last year (mainly USA)"

I think many of whom may have happily settle with Oxbridge in the old days but recent years boys candidates are directly competing with a lot state sector so they have to find Ivy's as alternative acceptable routes.

It's nothing like 50% international Universities at any of these schools. More like 20%. St Pauls sent 39 to overseas universities last year (mainly USA) and 180 to UK ones. KGS similar. Westminster may be more but hard to find the info!
LU is similar although sends more to European Universities as well due to the high level of European parents in the school (who often favour Co-Ed).

I would by all means encourage parents with inspiring and academic strong kids to apply these schools.

It is when you have the offers, do keep in mind the factors previous posters mentioned (think all are very valid and sensible) before taking it.

Agree with poster above re Oxbridge. My understanding is 50% of leavers from these schools are now going international, mainly to the US as they are simply finding it impossible to get into the top British universities (and since they are ‘global citizens’ that is something they are prepared to do).
Also bear in mind it is hard to stand out from peers in these schools. What would have been a ‘leading light’ at a minor school will come across as distinctly average in this environment. I have seen this happen quite a bit. The school does not encourage academic comparisons or competition but the children are not blind. In some cases, it can actually affect their self confidence to an extent.

Don't pay too much attention to league table position or pecking order. Your child is an individual. Visit the schools (not just the "top 3"). Talk to the staff and kids. Get a feel for the ethos. Better still, walk past when the kids are coming out (not on the open day). That can be an eye-opener for behaviour and language.

Single sex schools are a peculiarly British disease, as are boarding schools. They lead to damaged individuals who can't relate to the opposite sex and who have higher rates of divorce and mental health issues. Not always, but that's the trend. FWIW I would seriously consider co-ed alternatives e.g. Latymer Upper, Alleyns.

A short commute to school and local friends can make an immense difference to quality of life. Trailing across town is absolutely not worth it - if a kid is bright enough to get into any of these schools, they'll get straight A-stars when the time comes if they work.

The days of the top few schools getting half their kids into Oxbridge are gone, much to those schools' chagrin. Those who pre-pay for privilege may find they haven't bought what they've expected.

Some of the most entitled, obnoxious individuals I ever worked with went to some of these big name schools, notably Westminster - I wouldn't send my dog there.

What's "not true"?

The majority of dc at SPS and I'd be sure virtually any London private school don't have two British parents. That's not racist it's just truth. I speak as someone who is in a minority of being in a British couple and I've done the numbers. It's not a criticism in the slightest, it just reflects the way moneyed London is. I LOVE the fact my dc have friends from all over the world

“except possibly in Asia“

Not sure it has brand name benefits in Asia either, it is a vanity objective.

Does the ‘not true’ apply to my comments ? I am a current parent at the school !
As I said, I am not criticizing the school or the pupil intake (interesting that is how you took it) - I am merely observing and describing.
My son is very happy at SP - I am just saying I don’t think it is worth driving across London for, as I think there are other schools which can deliver similar benefits and results….. and the ‘brand name’ benefits are not what they were, except possibly in Asia.

This thread!!! Wow!

OP, of course it’s confusing and worrying to enter a wholly new education system. Many years ago I entered a wholly different education system for myself as a young adult and it was baffling! And of course you want the best for your child.

My 3 children are in a great school, but out of London, but most of our friends are still in the SW London or NW London independent school system. Our eldest and all her peers are in year 7, so just put the other side of 11+.

Also DH is a teacher in a selective independent school….

My thoughts:

• Given (from what you say) your child’s academic potential, the school (out of the choices of amazing schools you mention) won’t be the main factor in university / exam success. In particular, university entry is not just grades…. The key factor in educational attainment is parental education levels and your input (wide ranging discussions over dinner, support with homework and with overall mental wellbeing etc), and home life / security / stability (according to teacher DH - he lectures on improving attainment fir boys!).

• All the “top” London schools are amazing. You need to look beyond exam results and think about what genuinely suits your child best. Single sex or co-Ed (I absolutely wanted co-Ed)? Sporty (eg at Westminster, sport is minimal and optional - DH is a sports teacher who often interacts with his equivalents at Westminster!), which school offers more pastoral support, which is the easier commute (important- even out if London this was key for me as mine all play instruments and do other things out of school) etc etc?

• If you list the top, say, 6 or 7 commuterable schools (say within 45 mins) near you, given where you are in London, chances are your child would do very well at any of those schools, so pick the one he likes best!! My choice was out of 2 - you have lots of choice in London!!

• Given his age now, focus on (hopefully relaxed-ish!) tutoring for the 11+ to give him / you the best choices.

Don’t worry too much !

Well from experience of having taken the bus in the early 90s, my stop was Park Road….it took around. 35/40 mins.
i loved the bus…especially when you also shared it with SPGS….but I was in the senior school…..the majority of the boys were on Golders Green / Finchley….didn’t seem am issue back then.

It is a kura bus not an uber. Based on the timetable in the school website it takes 55 mins from St John wood to the junior school. It doesn't account for the time the boys from home to the bus stop via various commute methods.

Based on my experience even with Hammersmith bridge open ( in 10 years time?) it will take longer than 50 mins.

They do. Currently with Hammersmith Bridge closes it’s 50mins, otherwise it would be 35 mins. Remember once you are past Baker Street and on the Westway you are opposite to the traffic.

Because it is not true. May be someone who can't get into these schools, or who doesn't want others to apply?