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Education

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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

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Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:18

That's what my babies will be...Knickerbocker GLORIES!!!

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JanH · 08/10/2004 20:30

Hi, spook - I'm sorry your innocent request for help and advice turned into a punch-up. Haven't seen VP in these parts for a while now so you must have really rattled her cage.

Anyway just wanted to say I have been following your threads, up and down, and I'm really glad you're actually making concrete plans now for your new life. Best of luck to you and your babies (with or without knickerbockers).

shalom · 08/10/2004 20:36

if spook wants to go private its her choice and her money if she comes to borrow money from you don't give her
Good on you spook do what you want to do!!!

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:36

Hi JanH and THANKYOU! Was quite enjoying myself actually but VP seems to have gone home to Peckingham Palace.

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Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 20:37

Thanks Shalom!! You're a good'un!

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duster · 08/10/2004 20:52

Spook, have you looked here?
Am new to mumsnet, and find posts like VP's disheartening. Anyone who can't tell the difference between 'Private schools in London' and 'Attack me, my opinion differs from yours' should sod off back to their million quid bad taste fest chavvy mansion before their husband shags the PA again, IMO.
I've been in a similar situation to yours I think, in that I divorced with (then!) two sons, and had to move house and change schools. If anyone would like to attack me for my choice of school, please email me at getagrip,lady.com.
I don't know you Spook, but you're doing fine, so well done to you. And also for having a little more dignity than me, here
PS Knickerbocler similar to binocular, perhaps, used for long distance observation of knickers?

Angeliz · 08/10/2004 21:03

My dd is on a private School and had no knickerbockers OR straw boater OR a cape, (CAPE????) VP, i think it may be you who needs help in the modern world!
My dd wears quite a sweet little uniform.
The main thing to worry me about her going there was the ignorant and quite frankly ridiculous comments like yours!

Shall be inquiring tomorrow about cape though as obviously i want her to stand out and be superior

Angeliz · 08/10/2004 21:08

Maybe not tomorrow as is Saturday

Temper got the better of me there

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 21:32

You have both made me laugh out loud. Or should I say PMSL!!! My boys look so so gorgeous in their uniform right now. DS2 is like something from Just William with his socks down and chubby knees and cap. Conkers and catapults in his pockets! But no cape. I too am a little disappointed at that Angeliz.
Duster. Thanks for the link honey. V useful. But be careful what you say about husbands shagging their PA's. A little too close to home there {grin]

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Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 21:33

That should be not {grin]!!Bit pissed now if truth be known. But have to get up early to iron the boaters.

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yingers74 · 08/10/2004 21:40

Spook,

As others have mentioned, where you send your kids is up to you, you know them best and will I am sure make the right choice.

The whole state versus private education debate is a difficult and emotive one. I am state educated (in Haringey) and I can honestly say I loved it and did very well. However, hubby teaches at a private school in west london and looking at the extra-curricular activities and resources they have, I feel that given the choice I could not turn down the chance of sending her there.

The children are lovely and happy and in the end this is all that counts!

Happy school hunting

duster · 08/10/2004 21:44

Oooh, sorry Spook
Again, been in a similar situation!
Don't forget the starch when you iron the boaters. Mustn't embarrass children with floppy brims!

Yorkiegirl · 08/10/2004 22:16

Message withdrawn

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 23:00

Thanks for your support everyone. I think PoshPeckham has got the message?!Each to their own eh?
Anyway-bedtime for me. I have knockerblockers to launder

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littlemissbossy · 08/10/2004 23:03

just back online to catch up... duster's earlier post if fab, LOL

Yorkiegirl · 08/10/2004 23:08

Message withdrawn

Softie · 08/10/2004 23:12

Spook
You know what will suit your DS's.Both of us were state educated but chose to educate our son privately. Not because there is anything wrong with the state system, but because we did what we thought was best for our son. Nothing to do with snobery (very difficult to be snoby in 14 yr old Fiat Uno). As for uniform, who cares what they wear. Sons school is in Hampstead and uniform very low key. Also don't judge a school by the fees they charge, present school about £1,000a term cheaper than previous ,with no expensive uniform .Son is so so very happy and academically
really focused and interested. Isn't that what we all want?
As the saying goes "happy cows produce more milk".
Good luck and trust your instincts.
Softie

Original poster
spook · 08/10/2004 23:42

Thanks Softie. I totally agree! If they're happy I'm happy XXX

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nikkim · 08/10/2004 23:51

Now we have had the state vs private education argument will just dash into the childcare thread, someone must be starting an argument between working and stay at home mums.

JJ · 09/10/2004 05:04

Hope it's ok if I skip the private/state debate.

Spook, Hill House has open mornings (every Wed at 9am or something like that) so you can get a feel for the school. We briefly looked at it for our boys, but it was quite a way from where we were living/ will live (we went through this twice).

From what I gather, it's more of an international school (v pop with Americans) and bustling. By international school, I mean that they actively cater for expats and will help you find a place in the school for your sons and they also have a high turnover of students and teachers. Those aren't bad things -- just different.

The main problem you might have is finding a place for your 5 yo. We used a school search company and they were helpful in finding schools with vacancies, arranging visits, etc. If you'd like the name and number for them, let me know and keep reminding me or CAT me.

HTH

Original poster
spook · 09/10/2004 08:13

Hi JJ. Thanks for that info. This high turnover of staff keeps popping up. The school secretary said yesterday that there was definately a place for my 7 year old and as far as reception goes for my 5 year old they would definately try and fit him in. I think they know that if both can't go then neither of them go. I'm not really sure it's what I'm looking for now though. Did you like the feel of the place? Did the children seem happy and cared for?

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foxinsocks · 09/10/2004 08:38

The St Paul's boys you were thinking of Davros has a prep school - Colet court

That won't be too far from you. Again, I know someone who sends their son there and they do like it but they say it is quite pushy in academic terms (maybe that would suit your elder one!). Certainly worth giving it a call.

foxinsocks · 09/10/2004 08:42

I think (but I may be wrong) that Colet court is a prep school in the true sense - i.e. I think boys only start there at 7 or 8 and your other boy would have to go to pre-prep so maybe not ideal but it might be worth looking at it anyway (if only just to rule it out!).

foxinsocks · 09/10/2004 08:50

and last of all, purely on location, it may be worth looking at fulham prep school . I don't know anyone who goes here but I know a few people who looked at it and thought it came across as a really friendly school.

Original poster
spook · 09/10/2004 09:27

Thanks foxinsocks. All these links are so helpful! I really like the look of Fulham Prep but the fees are way up. The only school so far that mre or less matches my Newcastle fees is Hill House. This is one of DH's only arguement. That London fees are 3 times Newcastles!! Obviously put alot of research into that one-like everything else.

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