Private schools (Reception year) recommendations please - Beaconsfield, Gerrard's Cross, Hampstead, or Harrow

[aleigh1]

Hello!

My family is moving to the London area from the United States. Can anyone provide recommendations for private schools, Reception year? We will most likely live in Beaconsfield, Gerrard's Cross, Hampstead, or Harrow.

• My child is a boy
• I would prefer a co-ed school but this is not a must
• We would consider an International school, but am mostly looking for a British prep

ANY help or advice from knowledgeable Mum's is greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!!

Goodness what have I fired up now. Must say bit vicious to say a positive reviewer must be employee. You must be a disgruntled mum then with either a disruptive kid that was asked to find another school🤣

I wanted to put some feelers out but have since met lots of people in real life (IRL I think people call it😱) with happy kids at this school. As well as in others nearby. To be honest I think the schools in the area are all lovely and just different. I am a co-Ed fan. I have many meaningful friendships with men and my children like to play with the opposite gender too. They don’t have single sex teams at work either, at least not at the investment bank I work for. Perhaps for secondary it’s different but for now I love how my kids have so many shared experiences (currently both very happy at a superb London Co-Ed, leaving there makes me want to cry but keep thinking of the cleaner air and nice house each time I think I’ve gone mad to take them out). I have a boy and a girl and it’s lovely that they see each other sometimes during the day, they share stories and giggles about certain teachers/events at school. They are closer because of it and it’s obv logistically easier for me this way doing drops before work, attending sports days etc. But let’s please not do a co-Ed versus single sex story here. Everyone knows that yes academic research shows that usually girls are at their academic best learning with girls whereas boys actually benefit from having girls around. Nevertheless, if the school is excellent that slight difference is rather unimportant and I just like it how I like it 😂

I think I will leave the internet research for what it is now. Especially since after looking up our current school which I couldn’t be more happy with and which has amazing leavers results as well. Turns out nobody on mumsnet has anything positive to say about it. Quelle surprise!

Don’t know anyone in real life with direct experience at Gayhurst so just some observations from one Open Morning: Compared to some competitors locally (or further afield), Gayhurst is less ‘grand’ or ‘glossy’ and somehow has a small village primary feel. Up to personal preference I guess. There was a warm buzz around. Boys and girls seemed happy. Senior years were given ‘authority’ and responsibilities that the house heads, digital leads etc. were clearly very proud of.
I was impressed with their four science lessons a week and two lessons a week each for French and Spanish. Wraparound care seems good too.
Would like to hear others’ experience or observations too.