Information needed about Grammar/Independent Schools in London

[Ritwika]

Dear readers,

Could you please suggest Grammar or Independent schools in areas like-Stratford(London), Kent, Canary Wharf....or any other place close by ?
Thanks much!

There aren't any grammars in Canary Wharf or Stratford. As for Kent: Dartford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells seem to get the best results but there are many others.

Bromley? St Olaves and Newstead Woods.
Many independent schools from all over London run buses from Canary Wharf. Off the top of my head: Eltham College, Forest, Dulwich College.

Where do you count close by? There are a few state grammars in South London - ie. Sutton, Wallington, Orpington - and several notable selective independents. For boys or girls? What age are dc now?

DD is at one of the grammars mentioned in this thread but mainly as it is our closest secondary school and is a good fit for her. She has friends who come from as far as Greenwich. For them it is a long commute and whilst a great school I would question if a long commute to a great school was better than attending a closer school that might only be marginally different.

Have you looked at the nearby options and/or are you looking to relocate?

If you want state grammar schools which have no catchment area, you have the Henrietta Barnett School in Hampstead Garden Suburb (for girls) and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Barnet (for boys). Neither of them very close to Canary Wharf or Stratford, but then nor is most of Kent when you factor in the logistics of actually getting there and at least they are on the same side of the Thames.

Most of the grammar schools in the Kent County Council area (not every school with 'Kent' in its postal address is) allocates places partly / mainly / entirely on passing the Kent Test then on other criteria such as distance from the school, not on score.

The London Borough of Bexley offers a choice of grammar school place to the 180 top scoring candidates in its 11+. For the rest, places are similarly allocated by distance etc.

But remember, your DC not only has to do well enough in the entrance exam, s/he also has to get to the school and back every day.

Thank you for the information. I have a daughter, who is 5+ now. Should be there when she is around 6. Am not very familiar with the Bristish system of education and hence the ask.

The grammar schools are extremely competitive, and you really can’t know at 5 whether your daughter has any chance of getting in.

Grammars are also only available at secondary level (age 11).

So your best bet at this stage would be to look for private juniour schools. There’s an independent schools council and you can search for schools on their website.

Thank you for replying. I have a daughter, who is currently 5+. Looking for something when she is 6 years. Not very familiar with the British system of education, hence the ask. Does a primary school sound better for kids aged around 5-6 (because of the ration, individual attention, commute) as compared to a High school?

Quite a good piece of information....I shall definitely have a look at the site as mentioned by you. We too think, a private junior school makes more sense at this age. Do you suggest anything in particular, close to Stratford, Kent or anything not very far Canary Wharf....? Thanks much!

Thank you so much for the information, looking at a possible relocation sometime next year. As my husband's office would be in Canary wharf, hence am looking at private junior schools may be not very far from the above.....

Firstly, thank you very much for the information. Am not very familiar with the education system there, however I have been to Canary Wharf and my husband's office is also there....looking for a private junior school may not very far from CW.
My daughter is 5+ now, plan to relocate next year...so would she be in Year 2?

Have a look at regular state primaries in those areas. There's a lot of excellent primary schools in London, and secondary for that matter, they tend to outperform many outside of the city. I am not familiar with those specific areas but def worth a look at least

She can't go to a state grammar school until she is 11. Some independent schools go through, others transition at 11 (or sometimes 13, more often boys). You need to be looking for a primary/infants/pre-prep school depending on whether you are looking at state or independent schools. For state schools it is very unusual to be educated out of year group. If you say the month and year she was born and when you plan to move we can tell you which year she will be in. Many people commute in to Canary Wharf rather than living there. Many places within an hour travel time.

The education system is a bit complicated here, but at 5-6 your daughter will have to go to a 'primary school'.

At that age she has the following options.

A state run primary school which take children from 4-11. Some of these can be very good.

An private (paid for) primary school from 4-11. There are not loads of these but there are a few. Some of these can be good but don't assume that just because you pay it's automatically better than a state school.

A Prep School. A private school for children from 4-13. Generally bigger and with good facilities. Children move on to private secondary schools at 11/13 when they leave.

An 'all through' private school for children aged 4-18. There are a few of these, they usually have very good facilities. It means you don't ever have to worry about where your child is going to school.

if you can't afford or don't want to use a private school then you will use state schools. Most of us do!

If this is the case then your child will go to primary school until 11. If you live in an area where there are grammar schools (free schools for academically able pupils) your child can take an exam to see if they can get a place in one of these. The schools are very popular and hard to get into.

If you don't get a place in grammar school there are state secondary schools. Again, some of these are good, others less so!

I hope that helps?

I can't help with specific schools but I hope I explained the system.

If you want good state education and have a choice about where to live, I would personally find a non grammar area with good schools as this takes the pressure off!

Yes grammars are secondary, from age 11. High is a looser term and although secondary in state system can be more generally used in private. There are private girls "high" schools under the GDST organisation which might suit you and go all the way through primary and secondary, several of which are in London or close by. Preprep/prep school are also the younger age group in private sector. If you look at the ISI website you can do a schools search. To apply for a state school you will need to have a confirmed address unless a school happens to have a vacancy in year 1/2 (depending when she turns 6) now and you are moving imminently.

Big thank you to one and all. As am familiar with canary wharf, Stratford,these places and my husband's office is also there...I was looking for something in and around CW. I think, at this stage, as suggested by someone in the group a junior private school makes more sense, would look for those kind of schools....please do share your inputs for an almost 6 year old girl, looking to relocate sometime nest year. Thanks!

Look at Blackheath high school - private girls school, goes from age 3 to 18.

You could live in Greenwich and very easily commute to Canary Wharf and the school.

Very few families live in Canary Wharf itself, it’s an office area.

In Greenwich you could also look at pointers and heath house.

Thank you very much for all your inputs. I am getting a hang of things but a long way to go,I believe! Appreciate your promptness and help!I am checking the suggested site for independent schools.

Thank you. Will have a look at the suggested schools. Much appreciate.

No personal knowledge but there is Faraday school www.faradayschool.co.uk/index.asp and
Riverhouse Montessori www.river-house.co.uk Canary Wharf ish area.
If she is very clever there is City of London school for girls from age 7
Agree that Greenwich is a nice place to be and a family area

Right move maybe worth a look as they also have a school checker. It’s not a perfect tool but it will give you an idea
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-65557873.html