Independent School in London

Hello
im in a similar boat to you looking to move my DD mid a levels. She is also v academic but doesn’t love her extreme hothouse of a school. So looking at Collingwood or Ashbourne as the two options. May I ask how you son found it in the end? Me must be in university now! Thanks.

Oh so glad you have somewhere and such a good range of options too

Apologies for my misinformation upthread - I said London Park sixth form isn’t running yet but it is! Glad you followed up anyway!

Hi, I might be a bit late but we moved our son to The Cedars School for GCSEs after he was unhappy in Yr 9. He's now thriving and so happy. They have a small Sixth Form but are expanding and combining with the girls' school The Laurels, which shares the same site. It's a private Catholic school but welcomes all faiths. We ourselves are from a mixed culture family (non practising Catholic and Muslim). Their staff have been excellent and we couldn't be happier. Hope this helps.

Not sure where in south london you are but if you're south east, have a look at Colfe's.

www.colfes.com

Also - a HK family I know had their boy unhappy at Hampton, he moved to Whitgift and is now very happy. Might be worth a try? But would be boys only (not co ed)

Yes, that’s a big change to adapt to. Is he at one of the boarding schools that are popular with HKers (Eton/Harrow/Winch/Rugby)? Either way, it sounds like boarding isn’t for him, which is perfectly understandable, but you are now in a difficult situation.

What about some of the better state sixth form colleges, a friend’s son is at Godalming in Surrey and seems happy. They have a Design A Level, I don’t know if this is the same as DT? It would be a long commute, but might be worth it for his mental health.

Understood.

Have you tried Epsom/Reeds, not as cosmopolitan but might be able to accommodate? I think both are coed in 6th form.

I feel for you OP, this is obviously a difficult situation. Is there anything that can be done to help him in his current school environment, or is there no choice but to move schools? Can pastoral care get involved to support him? It sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place - moving him will be a big upheaval too. Good luck.

Could also contact St Christopher in Herts. They have taken on kids who have struggled in other schools and turned things around for them. Very good pastoral care. Lots of buses into London and can flexi board if he wants to do the odd night. Worth seeing if they have space.

I live in Kew. Kew House is one of the local privates and know a few friends with happy kids there. A bit cramped would be the main downside (it is a urban school after all). Of those three I think Kensington Park is the less established one and would be bottom of my list. But also depends on what kind of crowd you are looking for, KP will be more transient / international / Londoner and expats. Kew House and Fulham more catering for the locals, especially KH.

It sounds like you will pick one of the 2 who have made offers (I haven't heard of those). MPW (tutorial college) for sixth form as someone else mentioned above might be another option (in Kensington., mixed)

OP, where was he at school in Hong Kong - SPC/Harrow/Kellett ? I also used to live in HK.

Coed highly academic independent schools are very rare in London. Would you consider looking at single sex schools that have a track record of welcoming HK and Chinese mainland children? Dulwich is the one that comes to mind. But yes, it may well be that your DS should restart his A levels next year.

If in North London I'd say it's worth getting in touch with KAS (King Alfred's School - no uniform, very gentle and understanding about unhappy kids) or possibly DLD or MPW - they're former crammers but can suit kids who don't like the school

Kew House parent here. It's a small but friendly school. Excellent pastoral care. DT is a big focus for them but I don't know if it's offered in 6th form. Not super selective so there's a range of academic ability. Fairly diverse in terms of interests and personalities but it's a private school so you won't get a fully diverse experience. Support for things like Oxbridge and medicine isn't the same as top privates but it's still ok. We have been very happy with it (first child started there in 2015 and his sister followed a few years later).

Misguided? Is there any downside to ask 2 more schools?
Sorry, OP is also looking for the cosmopolitan outlook, of which the schools have a higher chance of places due to international movements.

For those suggesting Highgate or Latymer Upper - sorry, but I think that's VERY misguided. Both schools, particularly Highgate, extremely sought after and competitive. It's massively unlikely they'd take a student midway through A-level.

Ah that’s great OP! No personal experience here either but if you do a google search for “mumsnet <name of school>” you may find some views. Are you able to visit the schools - appreciate time is ticking but visiting on a school day can be really helpful.

I have no experience of those schools but just wanted to say I am pleased MN could help. Just having options must be a real weight off everyone’s shoulders.

OP I would also get to the bottom of why he is so unhappy e.g. bullying. In that case, the school should let him go immediately with no notice if he has trauma from that although you might have to fight your case. Anyone bullied/teased at boarding school is in a terrible environment because there is no getting away from it into a safe space. Sometimes a school might let you change house if you stand your ground and that is a feasible option.
The alternative if the school is also day, as well as boarding, is to rent a studio flat next door and for you to live with him there (if you can afford it). That may be the least disruptive option for him.