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

[Uli]

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.

Hmm, if the children at StP are anything like the ones at DS1's current school "very blond" isn't much of an indicator.

I generally have DS2 with me, who will be about two then, and no doubt causing much trouble.

Do siblings get in reasonably automatically? Or is it more complicated than that?

When we visited we were told they got in unless a serious problem noted at the assessment. As far as I know no sibling has failed to get a place in the last few years. It's nice to relax and know they're both into a good school!

DD is the very blondest! Quite a mix of colouring in her class, actually.

Oh, that's good to know.

So far, DS2 shows no signs of any serious problems. Unless an obsession with bobobobobobob (Bob the Builder) to you and me, on the basis of very very little TV exposure counts as a problem?

My DS1 is moderately blond, and very very outgoing. He gets engaged a lot.

Bink,

Eeek! I probably do know you, or maybe have seen you at drop off. My girl is in J1 EB, one of the few Indian children in J1. Bit weird when real life and MN collide, isn't it?

Yes - agree about oddity of colliding - though my collisions (eg rediscovered a friend from 20+ years ago) have all been lovely ones!

My daughter is in J1M (soon to become J1R), very young for her year & bouncy with a short blonde bob. Does that ring a bell?

I went to Dallington for a couple of years as a child (just prior to scary, inner london comp) and loved it there. Head has a great philosophy and it's very good at treating kids as individuals.

@AlinaP - this thread is 14 years old!

@Uli I am a single mum with a daughter in a North London prep school (I work miles away in the City) and it can definitely be done, but the solution that best worked for me was an au pair for after school care.

Oops!! Just realised the date of this thread!