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Original poster

Private Schools in London

90 replies

spook · 07/10/2004 18:17

Hi everyone. Am moving down to London soon I hope and have two DS's 7 & 5. They go to a tiny little private school at the moment don't have a problem with state school atall but I just think (esp DS1) would find it incredibly hard to adjust to bigger classes.
Can anyone recomend any good schools to us? I am hoping to move to Fulham but schooling is so important I am very open to suggestion. Hill House in up on my list-my God-Daughters went three and really rate it. Any ideas?? TIA

OP posts:
sponge · 08/10/2004 17:21

I wouldn't be put off Hill House because it has places. It's quite a big school so is likely to find it easier to fit people in.
And yes, it is a bit cheaper than most. No real reason but I was a bit concerned that it wasn't inspected at all so no independent reports.
All areas of London have some good and some bad schools so I would go with your instincts and live near your mates if you can afford it. Parts of Dulwich are lovely but it is a trek into town and only mainline trains, no tube.

ScummyMummy · 08/10/2004 17:29

Do hope you find somewhere lovely, spook. As sponge says there must be good and not so good schools in all areas so it's well worth trying to live somewhere you love which where you will have supportive friends nearby.

Catan · 08/10/2004 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tanzie · 08/10/2004 19:06

Is there a website for Hill House School?

victoriapeckham · 08/10/2004 19:32

Spook: What about trying good state schools? They do exist you know.

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 19:38

Hi Victoriapeckham. I have absolutely no problem with state schools. DS1 started at state school but never settled and we were all very unhappy for a time. He is Special Needs (v bright) and unfortunately-for both our principles and our wallet-smaller classes suited him far far better. My DS2 would probably do really well at a good state school but I think it would be easier (and fairer) if they were both in the same place.

OP posts:
Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 19:47

Hi everyone-sorry.Putting boys in the bath but felt I must reply to Victoriapeckham. I am not some snotty private school only type I promise you. We tried the state school route but it didn't work. We were lucky we had a choice. Why am I justifying myself!!??
Sponge-I don't really know much about Hill House. It just comes on a very high recomendation from my best friend and goddaughters.Do you think it's a worry that there are no reports?
I agree with you Scummymummy. I do need to be near friends. I'm stepping out into the unknown!!
Catan-it's funny you should say that because that is the one downer I have heard about Hill House. That the staff turnover is really high. One to look into deffo.
No Tanzie. There doesn't appear to be a website. All I got on a google search was Prince Charles!!
Thanks everyone though for your input. It is definately helping me to clarify things XXXXX

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victoriapeckham · 08/10/2004 19:49

Many state schools have gifted and able programmes. And most are a better preparation for modern life than poncing about in knickerbockers. Just because he didn t settle in one state school doesn t mean he is allergic to them all.

Yorkiegirl · 08/10/2004 19:52

Message withdrawn

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 19:59

OK Victoriapeckham. Whilst I am trying to sort my head out,adjust to being a single parent,try and fix my boys broken hearts,selling my family home,relocating to a different city,going through what promises to be a nasty divorce and putting my children through the trauma of moving city,school,friends I will also try and find them a state school with places,that will suit my gifted child,that is in the area I need and does not have the kind of class sizes that my DS1 would just not cope with. I really think they are going through enough without taking them from a class of 10 to a class of 30 children that they don't know.
I will yet again point out that at the time private schooling was a HUGE decision for us and one that did not sit comfortably with us atall. But I feel very lucky that we had a choice. My son literally changed overnigt from being a nervous wreck to a thriving happy bright little boy. It saddens me that the state system did not suit DS1 but I have never looked back. he is my son and I'm afraid I would do whatever it takes for him to thrive. That does not mean he is allergic to the state system it merely means he has now been privately educated for 3 years and with everything else I am not prepaed to risk it all going wrong for him again.

OP posts:
victoriapeckham · 08/10/2004 19:59

The uniform is not irrelevent. The odd and archaic uniforms these schools use are a deliberate technique to make children look superior and thus justify the fees. And also instill into children a sense of separateness and superiority. I mean knickerbockers, straw boaters, little capes...

Of course Spook has a choice.

But someone who can afford to live in Fulham and consider paying £3K per term can easily afford to live near a good state school which will address her bright child's needs and save her £££.

I am just saying she should look at them as well as the private ones. I think there is a lot of snobbery which stops parents even passing thru the primary school gates.

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:01

Thanks Yorkiegirl. I have just re-read your thread Victoriapeckham and it has pissed me off even more. The "poncing" about in knickerbockers has got nothing to do with it.I happen to think the uniform is very very funny but my children could go to school in a sack. As long as they are happy and thriving that is all that matters to me. What are you-the uniform police?

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fuzzywuzzy · 08/10/2004 20:03

we had to wear straw hat thingy's as part of our uniform, school was a state one though...in Hackney!!!!

Davros · 08/10/2004 20:05

Doh! Just catching up, I think Putney High is a girls' school. There's St Paul's just the other side of Hammersmith Bridge (prob v expensive) and a few Catholic schools and the famous Holland Park, hmmm.... Spook, I think you should try to live in the area you think you'll feel most comfortable and there are good school in London just about everywhere so there's one in SW6 or nearby for you. Sorry I can't be any more help, used to be a West Londoner through and through but got corrupted to NW3 by DH

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:06

Posts crossed there Victorai Peckham. I couldn't give 2 hoots what my children wear to school. Do you honestly think I look differently at a state school uniform than a private school one.If anything-before I went the private school route I would have laughed and pitied a child in a straw bloody boater but it is so irrelevant to me. I want my children to be happy. Yes I am more than sure they could be happy in a state school but right now I have neither the time nor the inclination to find one. If you would like to point me in the right direction I will happily follow it up. That is exactly why I am asking for help on Mumsnet. But I will NOT be labelled or stigmatised because I have chosen a private education for my boys. Both myself and DH are state school through and through and it did us no harm. But it wasn't so easy. And I want my boys life to be easy. This year their life has been shit.

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littlemissbossy · 08/10/2004 20:07

Spook honey, you don't have to justify yourself to anyone on here... good luck with the move

Beccarollover · 08/10/2004 20:09

I think you will find it was me that brought the knickerbockers up as I find the idea of spooks little bruiser boy in knockerbockers comical so I shared that with my friend in a light hearted manner on this thread - there is nothing more than that to read into it and form innacurate opinions.

I could vouch how unlike your presumptions spook is but i wont because it shouldnt have to be explained - she just asked for some advice for gawds sake!

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:09

Thanks Littlemissbossy!!D'you think she touched a nerve

OP posts:
Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:10

Hello BR!! I was just about to mail you and let you know there appeared to be a scrap on!!

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Beccarollover · 08/10/2004 20:10

"On a purely trivial note I think the one where they wear knickerbockers!"

Note my use of the word trivial on my post from earlier.

popsycal · 08/10/2004 20:11

they will look gorgeous in knickerboclers spook!
hope you are ok me dear!
whn on the three of us going out!

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:12

Hey Popsy! Whats a "knickerbocler"??!!

OP posts:
Beccarollover · 08/10/2004 20:14

Geordie for knickerbockers!

popsycal · 08/10/2004 20:15

aren;t knickerbockers a type of ice cream?

popsycal · 08/10/2004 20:16

...knickerbocker GLORY !!!