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Original poster

Schools like King Alfred’s, St Chris etc

32 replies

Anygoodidea · 11/10/2023 12:00

Hello I’m thinking about secondary for DS who is extremely bright but with mild dyslexia I don’t want to put him through London 11+ exams.

We loved KAS. The whole ethos and, facilities eg. but know it’s a tiny intake so I am looking at other options.

We’re not happy with the local schools and think we got it really wrong with his state primary so want the choice of finding the right fit to his personality and abilities offered in the independent sector. The school would need to be commutable schools from Finsbury Park.

St Chris is an option. Aldenham looks good on paper but not practical via public transport. Any other views?

OP posts:
MySaxIsOnFire · 12/10/2023 01:30

Not about distribution of abilities (although I'm told that did narrow) but about losing its very particular ethos. I don't believe it went full hothouse at any point, but the focus on the formal academic side certainly increased. Once upon a time there is no way it could have been described as a 'normal', 'ordinary', 'typical' or some would say even 'recognisable' school. 'Weird' was probably the most common adjective. It has become 'normal' in the sense of being much more like other places.

It may well be fine for your purposes. My point is merely that it has changed a lot recently, and is now under new leadership again, so make sure you base your decision on what it is now and information from current parents - not people who knew it a few (or many) years ago.

Original poster
Anygoodidea · 11/10/2023 23:33

A normal school would work I think if that means a normal distribution of abilities? DS’s dyslexia is mild and he’s “meeting expectations” for reading and writing.

I don’t want him to go through hot housing to get him into a school and I don’t want it to feel competitive or pressurised once he is actually in. He needs somewhere kind and calm and he’ll thrive I’m sure.

OP posts:
MySaxIsOnFire · 11/10/2023 22:52

St Chris in LGC? New head very recently, so you'd need to check up-to-date reports. Last I heard was that it had turned into 'basically a normal school' and was no longer supportive of anything more than the mildest dyslexia; but that was under previous leadership (and from people who knew it back in the truly-odd days, so nostalgia-disappointment may have been a factor).

Original poster
Anygoodidea · 11/10/2023 22:31

Thank you. I went to Hampstead. Maybe Canonbury isn’t different?

I will look at Millhill and UCS. Just worry about how competitive exams might be as his English will never match his maths and I don’t want to make him miserable.

OP posts:
Foxesandsquirrels · 11/10/2023 16:49

Which northbridge house did you go to? You might actually like UCS. It's quite liberal and whole child type of place.

Original poster
Anygoodidea · 11/10/2023 13:35

Thank you for ideas. :) Northbridge I felt didn’t have the same vibe around “whole child” which helps them achieve. I can’t put my finger on it but it felt “small”? V interested if anyone has any actual experiences that’s just an impression from an open day.

Mary Mags looks great but nervous that it’s just verbal reasoning and there’s no non verbal or maths testing at all. He’s easily greater depth with out any tutoring on maths/science stuff but I doubt even with tutoring he could get on top of word play patterns.

OP posts:
Foxesandsquirrels · 11/10/2023 12:52

Belmont Mill Hill is a popular choice in your situation. Northbridge House too.
Try for the St Mary Magdalene governors place too.

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