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Original poster

Private prep(?) schools in central London?City? Anyone with direct experience?

85 replies

Uli · 15/03/2006 17:04

Can anyone suggest a good primary private school in the city/central of london? I have looked at the independent school council site, but has anyone in here any direct experience?

I am that stage where I need to start my research about the best option for my little girl (3 years old). I am struggling to understand the whole thing as I am not British. But I have come to the conclusion that i need to look at the longer term and, as I feel that I have a poor choice of secondary non -religious school in my area (southwark - please correct me if I am wrong in my perception), I am now considering sending dd to private school from primary so she gets the best start in education and if she turns out academic, the best chance to go to a good secondary (private or else).

One thing I cant change is the area I live and I do not want to become religious since I am not. There are no private schools in my area so I need to look at the city or central London.

OP posts:
Spatz · 15/03/2006 20:26

NQC my DD in reception now - we live near Russell Square. I'm delighted with the school - DD had trouble settling, but the reception teacher and assistant are lovely.

Your DS did well to get in - lots of siblings in that class so only a few places available.

NotQuiteCockney · 15/03/2006 20:33

Ah, we know someone in your DD's class. German mum, his name begins with Z.

DS1 enjoyed the selection procedure, and is pretty much exactly the child they describe as their "type" of child.

Some of the parents didn't tell their kids they would be going off with the teachers, without their parents! Hence there were a few kids clinging to their parents' legs and screaming. I wonder what people are thinking?

Do siblings get in automatically then? There was at least one sibling in our selection group ... or do siblings just tend to get in pretty easily?

Original poster
Uli · 15/03/2006 20:34

i pay £12K for nursery now... so I thought I might as well investigate private schools, even if may be cost a bit more? that's why i am late

it is the after school care that will add too much to the whole cost, if at all possible to arrange

I will consider all the options
maybe the city of london academy and other soutward secondary wont be so bad in a few years time?

or as frogs said, she may be bright and able to good school, private or best state secondaries. there is more of a risk and hoping that if she is bright she will flourish anyway

but even if she is not a 'genius', I want the best school for her.

OP posts:
Original poster
Uli · 15/03/2006 20:40

sorry lots of mistakes.. dificult to type with dd on lap, I wil take her to be bed now and trhen check thread later, i hope for more tips later on?

OP posts:
Spatz · 15/03/2006 20:51

Uli - sorry diversion - happy to answer any questions if I can help.

NQC - yes - talking to Z's mum only this afternoon ... small world. I often look at mum's and wonder if they are MNers. Does Z's mum?

Spatz · 15/03/2006 20:52

whoops - shocking apostrophe - should have been mums not mum's

Spatz · 15/03/2006 20:53

would hate you to think stp's mums were illiterate (or thread hijackers!). We are all lovely

NotQuiteCockney · 15/03/2006 20:54

It sounds like you need to look at both local state schools and City privates. See what options there are.

No, I don't think Z's mum MNs. I've not found her that chatty, tbh, although I still see her around, as her DS2 is still at Z's old school (and my DS1's current school).

ghosty · 15/03/2006 20:56

Uli, have you thought about church schools? My cousin is a salvation army minister in Poplar and his children go to a church school there which is much better than the other primaries in the area. His eldest DD is going to Greycoats in September (she will be 11).

Spatz · 15/03/2006 21:16

Most people seem to struggle with the holidays - very long if you go private. My DD is off for 17 weeks - 1/3 of the year!

I know people at state primary who have tutors for the last year or two to help with the entrance exam for the private secondary schools.

You can look at the ofsted reports for your local schools on www.ofsted.gov.uk. I went private because I thought my DD would need the smaller class size and because music is so fundamental to the school.

Original poster
Uli · 15/03/2006 21:31

if long holidays are common in private (plus after school care), I will have to find extra money for a childminder. I dont see how I can afford it. thats the end of a 'dream'

I will have to wait until she is 11, things might be different then in state secondaries and if not, it will be easier to sort out afterschool.

I am really keen on creativity, music, arts etc too, but the problem with the good church schools in my area is that you have to be practising and then compete for the remaining few places. I am not christian and I will not be able to support that side at home.

do non-christain children have to join in the religious activities in this school if they are given a place?

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 15/03/2006 21:36

I know that at St Paul's, children are expected to participate in the Christian stuff. I'm not Christian, but as I'm living in a Christian country, I'll survive this, I think.

I think, by secondary, you can leave kids alone at home after school, as needed?

Original poster
Uli · 15/03/2006 22:10

oh I really want to avoid church schools really. this is my personal conviction, no judgning other parents. it is really something I dont want to endorse but I feel like I am left with many good choices like many others

I am really shocked that there are church schools paid by tax payers money who are allowed to positively select by religion in the UK. I am contributing to their finance but I cant send my doughter unelss I become a devoted catholic etc.

and to add insult to injury these are the best performing schools!!!! and there are more church schools and non-church schoold in my area.

all state funded school should have no religous bias.

it is fine if they are private.

but thank you for to everyine, now I kow a lot more. you have been very helpful

OP posts:
Original poster
Uli · 15/03/2006 22:11

I meant not many 'good 'choices

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 15/03/2006 22:15

Well, the problem is, the UK has an official state religion. So the existence of state-funded C of E schools isn't that much of a surprise, surely.

I don't know the story behind state-funded Catholic schools. But as I think they're moving towards state-funded Muslim schools, I guess it may be a freedom of religion thing?

(As an atheist, I find it all a bit weird, but given that the Queen is nominally the head of the church, it's not that strange, in context.)

goldenoldie · 16/03/2006 13:16

My DS1 has been at St Pauls for 7 years, great school, good teachers, not pushy or hothouse at all, in fact it is far more mixed ability in the pupils it admits than I imagined for a fee-paying school.

Kids don't have to take part in the religious stuff. DS1 has a muslim pupil in his class who is not expected to do any of the cathedral stuff on the religious high-days and holidays. They do have assembly, with hymns - don't know if non-christian kids are exempt from that too?

You can drop them off from 8am too - at no extra cost, (from age 4) and they can stay till 5pm every evening once they are in the prep school (i.e. from age 7). But this would be a very long day for a small child.

goldenoldie · 16/03/2006 13:19

But check the class sizes. These have been gradually going up and up. When my DS1 started in the pre-prep the classes were around 15 - 18 pupils. Now they all seem to number around 25.

KenningtonKitty · 16/03/2006 15:46

Do I not recall that the Government are bringing in "all day" education - with childrens before/after- school "clubs" beong linked in with the school (Our local state is going to have one of these and I am in Kennington SE1 - although not one of my choices for DD age 3.5). May be worth investigating

Also, I looked round Charterhouse - liked the school and philosophy but no outside space and based in town houses - friends son went there and left 2 years ago - commented that very cosseted environment and he has struggles with transition to a big secondary school with lots of homework etc...(Charterhouse not big on homework from memory)

Also, DD has a place at Herne Hill from September - lovely school but is a back-up for us depending on what state school we are allocated - Whole school thing is a big nightmare !

Northerner · 16/03/2006 16:51

I know someone who's child went to Abbercorn school in St Johns Wood and was happy with it.

Spatz · 16/03/2006 17:13

St Paul's pre-prep (reception, yr1 and 2) class sizes still under 20 - currently 18 in reception. They can only arrive from 8.30 in reception and no after-school provision at the moment.
It was made pretty clear to us when we applied that children did have to take part in Christian ceremonies etc. I'm surprised they make an exception - I think they all go to 'whole-school' assembly where there is one hymn.

poppadum · 16/03/2006 17:32

My daughter goes to Abercorn in St Johns Wood and is very happy. There are about 18 in her class. Lots of sport and extracurricular activities. They also have after school clubs.

goldenoldie · 16/03/2006 17:34

8:30 - it is a shame they have reduced this. I always used to drop DS1 off at 8am and go on to work. It was very convienient.

Glad the class sizes in pre-prep are still small. There are 25 in DS1 class in the prep-side.

Spatz · 16/03/2006 17:49

Goldenoldie, class sizes in prep do sound rather large. 8 O'clock drop-off would also suit us much better - it's a shame they moved it later. I guess the pre-prep has changed alot since your DS started - I don't think there were girls 7 years ago, were there? I have to say I'm very happy with the school so far.

goldenoldie · 16/03/2006 19:45

Think they had just opened it upto girls then, but there are still very few girls in the prep-side. Don't think DS1 has ever had more than 4 girls in his class.

Most parents prefer to send girls to City when they are 7 rather than keep them at st pauls. Shame really, I much prefer co-ed.

Yes, we love the school too. The only drawback are the small playgrounds. Fine for the tinies in pre-prep, but not so good for the strapping lads at 8+

foxinsocks · 16/03/2006 19:47

have just realised I know z's mum aswell!