New to London- looking for independent school fit daughter west London

[Newtolondon2019]

Hello,

I’m new to London ( well will be in October), we are moving back to UK from Dubai for a number of years.
We are looking to move to the Ealing area in West London and we are looking for a good school for our two daughters - one is very academic and doing very well , the other is more sporty and less academic , we are trying to find a really good school that will push both , both are primary age , one heading to y3 , the other into y5.

We haven’t visited yet but intend on early September to look at schools. I’m just lost where to start, all the websites proclaim to be the best. I have seen Notting Hill and Ealing School is very strong and won an independent school of year last year, I see St Augustine’s has lovely grounds but seems less reputable, are there any other options locally and does anyone have any experiences with both schools ?

Thank you in advance

Not familiar with Ealing schools but know it is a good school are both state and private, so someone will come out to help you. You can try the Chiswick schools too - Orchard House, Ravenscourt Park, etc.

You should also try to get this thread moved to Primary schools or post a new one there.

Thank you I’ll look those up too

I will thank you

Bute house is worth looking at!

Thank you I will look up Bute too,

From what I have read online in other forums, it seems Notting Hill and Ealing is considered the best option of it and St Augustine’s. It seems to have a very strong rep for good results whist Augustine’s is more cosy and sells itself as that , their academics seem much more patchy from what I am reading, plus it seems to have a rep for bullying which would worry me.

I have looked up Ravenscourt and Orchard House, they are bit more of a commute for the school run etc. Any experiences on these two schools? Worth travelling to?

Any experiences on Bute ?

Thank you in advance

Bute is in Hammersmith so a lot further than Chiswick and although it’s fab it’s a lot more effort to reach and you’d end up with friends in Fulham, Kensington etc rather than local. It’s selective at yr2 for yr3 entry so I can’t imagine they’d have any spaces. Notting Hill & Ealing is also selective, yr2 exams for yr3 entry.

You might be better off seeing what is available & going to see all the schools rather than setting your heart on one in particular.

There are 3 schools in Kew, Kew Green, Unicorn and Kew College as well as an all girls school, can’t remember the name.

There are 2 other private schools in Chiswick, Heathfield House & Chiswick & Bedford Park Prep School. In Barnes there are 2 private schools, Harrodian & Ibstock.

There are no all girls schools in Kew. The other prep in Kew to look at would be Broomfield House.

Send emails to all the schools in the area, see who has space before you fall in love with one. At primary they should be offering a balanced curriculum so it should suit your kids as far as their different leaning wherever you choose. Term starts shortly so they should have staff in from this week I would have thought.

Too many people I know have moved into where I live then moaned that they couldn't get into the school of choice (whether state or private) do other countries just have elastic walls on classrooms to accommodate whoever moves into the area???? That said my friend was so upset her son couldn't get into the private school of choice, sent him to state in theory until a place became available and he got on so well they didn't switch him, she's now telling new arrivals to ignore the private option!

Sorry about getting that wrong, thanks to @Rockylady for the correction.

Thank you everyone, I didn’t realise Notting Hill , and Bute are selective. That would make it trickier for one of my daughters.

I think the advice to not get hung up until physically visiting and sussing out options is very helpful and wise. I think I may have to be open to a wider commute and not have school on the doorstep, this has been very helpful , to realise, especially before coming.

I will email the various schools in Chiswick and Hammersmith and Kew as suggested.

Thank you everyone 😊

We have looked at St Augustine’s for our daughter and love the look of it. Seems like a nurturing and exciting environment. Girls seem very happy. Haven’t heard much locally?

Also looking at NH&E but concerned about the academic side given she’s only 3.

Any opinions and experiences on both schools?