SW London Private Schools - Opinions Sought

[FionaCullen]

Background: Relocating family (H/W/DD) back home to UK after living in USA. Decided that 'best' place for us to settle to enjoy both London stimulation and leafy suburban relative safety is SW London i.e. Richmond/surrounding areas with tube/rail connection (Kew, Putney, Wimbledon) for commute to my work/Embankment area. Have one lovely daughter, aged 10, totally US-educated, who will be entering year 6 in UK in Sept 2012. Avoiding State schools because (1) want same school all way from Yr6-Age 18 (2)academic performance issues state schools (3) catchment issues (4) want all girls. Daughter is averagely clever, university material. We are run of mill family (not super-rich, posh or celeb). Just want decent, caring, rounded, safe education and am prepared to pay for it. *My question is this: I've shortlisted five SW London private schools that appear may meet this brief. Your opinions sought on these schools and also solicitations for any I've overlooked:

1. Lady Eleanor Holles Richmond
2. St. Catherines Twickenham
3. Putney HS
4. Wimbeldon HS
5. Sutton HS (bit further out)
6. Gumley RC Convent* (we are RC but not rabidly so)

ukbath - so much good advice here and no bad schools. I think where you live and lifestyle are very important ... Hammersmith schools (G&L, SPGS) & Putney High are more cityish vs say LEH which is quite a distance away but excellent. I do agree LEH shares a great bus with Hampton boys - including girls from Putney in my daughter's class, but most seem to come from Richmond, Twickenham, Hampton area. We have friends who chose Ibstock over LEH btw and they are delighted - we felt girls only suits our one, they have a boy and girl so IB works for them. What you want to avoid is a miserable 40 minutes commute each way ...!

Over five years ago we moved back to London, decided SW, and checked out Wimbledon, Kew, Richmond, Chiswick, Ealing. I'd look at Kew/Richmond border perhaps as Kew is a bit quieter but you easily can get the fast trains from Richmond into the city. The river, Richmond Park, Kew Gardens ... cannot be beaten in London (ok - I'm biased!)

Thanks for sharing your experience. i am also thinking to find property in Wimbledon but not sure how difficult to travel to LEH and Putney High. I think I will have to drive during school hours to have a feel about it.

I currently go to Wimbledon High school- definitely not the place for someone of average ability! To settle in well your child should be leaning to the "very bright" side.

I also think you have chosen quite academic schools for someone who is " averagely clever- so I would not recommend Wimbledon, Putney or Lady Eleanor Holles. Sutton high is quite academic too.