Academic Schools in South-west , South London and west london

[ranjitha]

Hi,

I am looking for an academic school for my son. Both Private and public. My son is 4 year old and he will starting his reception in sep 2014.
I am not too much worried about the pre-prep schools thought. But i am very much worried about the Prep school's which start form the age of 7.
I have been looking at some of the schools likes KCS,St.Pauls , dulwich etc .... But to be really frank i am very much confused. My first aim is for KCS and then St. Pauls.. I have also herd that getting into these schools is very trickery..
I have herd that there are feeder schools for these schools like rowan's and squerriel's not sure if there are any more.. Please let me know if u know more of the feeder schools...

But school like dulwich take the kids from age 3+ .. So no need to worry about the entrance for these schools

Apart from these i do not have any idea on other schools. So can any body give me a the list of very good academic schools in south-west,west and south of London.

Also i guess i am too late if i am applying for September 2014. So can anybody let me know if it is still possible and how to proceed ?

Hope this thread will make me clear on the school. Because getting into school is really tricky.. So i would like to keep 6 schools in my list which are really academic so that i will get the place in at least one of them..

Look froward to your responses...

Yes YABU. Errrr, what was the question again

How can you tell a 4 year old (just four, right?) is a candidate for an "academic" school?

have a look at this site in their schools section. prob more useful than here for that sort of thing

www.nappyvalleynet.com/

I don't understand the need for an academic school for a 4 year old.

I'm excited though, as these types of threads normally turn out to be such fun

Suggest you repost in education, OP - AIBU won't be quite so helpful. Perhaps if you post in primary education with a clear heading about feeder state and prep primaries, and then reiterate your questions. Secondary education becomes a very competitive environment, even in independent, sadly! Incidentally, although those children who are in a prep school like Dulwich's presumably have an advantage in terms of their preparation for the 11+ entrance exam for the senior (lower) school, it isn't automatic. They still have to pass the competitive entrance procedure.

Aren't all schools supposed to be academic?
Yes, YABU!

Agree with MrsSteptoe - there are much better places on mumsnet than AIBU to get the sort of advice you are after.

For state schools have a look at your local council website for infant / primary school in your area.

If you are going down the state school route then the deadline for applications is the end of Jan. You need to visit the school to see if its system/ethos & culture fits in with your own. It is not enough to want an "academic" school, all schools follow an academic curriculum as it is the law. You want a school that will bring out the best in your child & instill a lifelong love of learning.

May I ask why you have left it so late to investigate schools?

I think the question is about 7+entry?

Though it might help us to know if you have already applied for any private schools or to state school for reception.

KCS has a junior school, and Colet Court is the feeder prep for St Paul's. For both those, progress to the senior school should be fine, and you would be warned in plenty of time to make alternative applications if there is any doubt about making the transition. It's similar at Dulwich - parents of junior school boys who might not make the grade will be advised to make additional applications.

It really isn't possible at age 4 to be sure which secondary school your DC will suit. Aside from the question of academic aptitude, you need to fit ethos to character. And so, instead of a feeder, go for a good local prep (may as well have easy school run!) with a good range of leavers' destinations.