Independent schools in London

[Concernedmum21]

Hi, I am looking into registering my baby girl in some of the following schools and would appreciate any information that will help narrow the list:

• Bute House
• Falkner House
• Glendower
• Kensington Prep
• Thomas' Kensington
• Garden house: I heard it might not be as good as the others academically, is that correct?

Newton is one stop from Victoria. Overground is more reliable than battling the tubes or rush hour traffic as you are going contra traffic.

Thanks Mavis, you have a point. I'm not familiar with Battersea area but I guess it's worth exploring.

It's more or less opposite the train station entrance. I prefer trains against traffic than battling tubes is buses any day!

Another plus is the outside play and sports area which is also a premium centrally. And they have a theatre, recital hall, big library, music rooms and dance studios. I'd want to go to school there.

OP. With London schools it's often not about which is a good school, they all provide good destinations, though some with be more focussed preparing for specific entry tests. It is about fit.

Obviously a lot will be about the child, but at primary level some of the fit will be with parents. Newton, say, has an odd mix of Clapham/Battersea middle classes, often buying their ways out of poor local state provision, and a richer though diverse contingent from across the river. To me, one or two of the Chelsea/Kensington schools can have a bit of a Real Housewives of New York feel. A slightly closed world of banker husbands, SAH mums and kids who have known each other from birth. But to others the same schools will have a lovely community feel, and be attuned to the priorities and aspirations of parents. Another picks up a proportion on the international super rich, which again is a bit of a closed world.

Bute is quite diverse, at least from 7+, as plenty commute relatively long distances. Ken Prep is long established and run by the GDST and so though it gets very good results, does not live and die by them to the same extent.