independent schools in the city of london

[steinermum]

Help wanted for a friend whose seven year old hates his primary school and has to be dragged in every morning. She doesn't want to try Steiner as she thinks it's too way out. She lives in the City of London and is wondering about independent schools in that area. Does anyone have any advice/experience?

City of London school. Boys right opposite the Tate Modern and girls at the Barbican. Both very good reputations (dd has friends at both, and would certainly consider if finances allowed).
NorthBridge school in Camden, right by Regents Park (maybe a bit far) but again have only ever heard good things.

City of London Boys starts at 10+ though...

I've no experience of the following, but what about St Paul's Cathedral Choir School (takes non choristers too I think). Dallington School is in Islington; heard mixed things including that for the money, it's no better than a good state primary, so why pay etc etc.

Sorry, I hadn't noticed the word "his" in your post (hence I mentioned a girls school).

I've heard reasonable things about Dallington. My DS1 goes to St Paul's. It's selective, but worth a go.

There is Charterhouse, too, but it's a bit of a sausage factory, from what I've heard.

Oh, yes, I know a couple of kids at the Lyceum, and have heard good things about it.

We have friends who took their son out of Charterhouse Square because it was too aggressively pushy. Don't live round there myself, so no positive suggestions, but just thought I'd add that feedback.

Lyceum might be well worth a look for her steinermum. Not got children there myself but like NQC, have heard good things about it. A very happy school by all accounts.

Does City of London boys have a junior bit? Also I know people with boys at St Paul's Cathedral school. If you sing well you'll get a good fee deal too.

No, City of London Girls takes them from seven, but City of London Boys is only a secondary, from what I know.

If your child sings at St Paul's, they have to board. And it's not just weekly boarding - you can only see them on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I don't think it's worth the fee deal, personally. (But I would say that, mine are unlikely to be able to sing that well, anyway. )

St Paul's is a fairly traditional school, I think.

Thankyou all - I'll pass your comments and suggestions on to my friend. She might be inspired to join mumsnet!

Dallington parent here. I would like to point out that the school is absolutely nothing like a state primary - that is total rubbish. There are 12 children in my son's Year 1 class, together with one teacher and a teaching assistant. It is a small, nuturing, totally unique environment and children blossom there. About 160 pupils in total I think.

Although I have no experience of the state sector, I do understand that schools are large and classes average well over 20 kids per class. So please, no more nonsense about Dallington, which deserves to be recognised for the gem that it is!

This thread is four years old!!

So this thread will soon be off to school then.

I wonder where it will go......

I hope it goes to Prior Weston (next to the Barbican) at the Golden Lane Campus in Whitecross Street. Knocks the spots off almost all the private schools in the City. I have also heard nice things about Dallington and parents seem pleased with St Paul's Cathedral School though sometimes worry about the pressure applied to the children - I wouldn't like this brave little thread to be crushed.

surely this little thread must be on its way to secondary by now?