Best prep school in central London

[Rats82]

Hey ,

My son is going to turn 3 this October.
I am trying to figure out schools for him in central London. Since we are new in this city probably locals will know the real feedback's about schools.
I had Arnold house in mind. Not sure about other schools. kindly suggest what other schools I should definitely consider. ( I would prefer a school with good campus and sports facility )

Also I was thinking if he gets into a school which is a through out school ( age 2/4 - 18 ) do that we don't have to keep changing. Please suggest top five schools.

Thanks

Can you be specific on area? Arnold House is in St John’s Wood- not central. No point is suggesting schools in Belgravia if it turns out you’re in Hampstead.

Where in London are you? It's a huge city.

Tbh I'd look at your local state primary for infants at least. I don't think you get anything better going private for early years.

(We will be going private for secondary but are in a fab school for primary)

Hill House, Wetherby, Knightsbridge School, Garden House are all very central.

Bare in mind many schools will already have waiting lists, I think you need to think of the qualities you want in a school, where you can reach easily and not worry about through schools because needs change

We are open to areas. Currently we are in a shifting mode. We will take up a house once we get admission in the school.
Thanks everyone for your reply .

I am looking at private schools. Also open to schools which are not through and through.

@Rats82 , it would help if you could then discount some areas, for example Prince George is at Thomas's Battersea but it sounds unlikely that you would want to live near Battersea Bridge.

If you want a school to take you all the way through, I'd look at UCS, Highgate, Habs (all north) Dulwich College, Alleyns (south). I wouldn't call any of these central London although they are all properly in London, IYSWIM, except Habs.

As far as I'm aware there are no very central schools which go from 4 to 18, happy to be corrected though. Westminster Under or St Pauls Junior (Colet Court as was) go from 7.

Do you want single sex?

Sorry to be bearer of bad news but for pre-preps like the Hall or Arnold House (which now starts at 3+) you're already too late... for many so-called best 4+ it's also likely too late sadly. I'd start thinking of putting them somewhere nice and lovely and considering the 7+ for the schools that do them.

@Bosephine hey thanksss a ton for this list
How would you rank these schools. UCS, Highgate, dulwich and habs.

I’m not sure I could meaningfully rank them. They are all excellent schools and get very good results. All have fantastic facilities (although I think UCS have to get a coach to their playing fields but not 100% sure on that). I’d recommend you read up on them- lots of info on the websites, ISI reports etc. Also the Good Schools Guide. Book onto the open days if you can and get a feeling for what suits you and your child.

Key questions would appear to be whether you want co-ed or single sex and where you want to live- do you need to travel to an office?

Also bear in mind that all the schools I’ve mentioned are hugely oversubscribed so even the brightest child isn’t guaranteed a place. You would need to apply to some schools which are easier to get into alongside any of these if you want to be sure of getting something.

Are you using a relocation company? They might be able to help with this.

Latymer Upper also runs from 7 to 18 and is co-ed. The new City School is now co-ed and I think starts at 7 and has transfer to the single sex boys and girls school from 11.

So in terms in west / central London, your options for a boy from 7-18 are: Westminster (boys), SPJs (boys), Laytmer Upper (co-ed), City of London Junior school (co-ed). It's worth checking of transfer is automatic for all of these. I am pretty sure that's the case for Latymer and City.

From 4 your options are Alleyns, UCS, and Highgate. Dulwich College doesn't have automatic transfer from the pre-prep (Ducks which is co-ed) to the all boy's junior school unless things have changed.

All of the schools starting at 4 are all excellent so deciding between them should be down to what matches your personal ethos and where you'd like to live.

This website might be handy. It does seem to be quite heavily focused on west London though.

Is your son your only child? For through schools, I know people are very keen on:

UCS
Highgate
Habs

Some others start at 7 (so St Paul’s, Westminster, City).

For pre prep / prep schools, you might want to look at:

St Paul’s Cathedral (co Ed)
Arnold House (boys)
Hereward House (boys)
St Anthony’s (boys - they also have a girls’ school)
The Hall (boys)

My lists are not exhaustive. I’ve only put schools that I know anything about (am in north London). Others will suggest schools in west or south London.

You are probably a bit late for some of these schools - might be time to ring them up and find out whether they will let you register your son at this stage.

Southlondonmommy the schools you mentioned are the ones I really want short and long term. We can live anywhere and are open to relocate as per schools location. Also I am open to both coed and single sex schools. We have moved to London only for our son to get good education. I was looking for through out schools so that he doesn't have to go through the stress of taking exams at such a young age. I know it's highly competitive. But if we don't get the right school initially then May be he will have to take tests later. Thanks for your reply . Appreciate.

How old is he? Look at Newton prep (one stop out of Victoria station).

I've got a child at Alleyns and we are very happy. The 4+ entry is very gentle compared to later years.

Most of the schools I've listed will have registration in the Autumn the year before they start so it won't be too late. Good luck!

The two themes that come across in your post are stability for the future and knowing the lie of the (strange) land.I find myself wondering about your 2 year old son's experience of the move and this new life. While I don't have anything to offer in terms of school recommendations, I wonder if something to listen out for when you visit and weigh up different schools, is their sensitivity to his and your family's current situation?

Southlondonmommy hey,
I checked alleyns website. So my son will be starting reception in 2024 sep, as he is October 2019 born. The website says to check again afte Easter for 2023 intake. I feel they don't take advance application for 2024. Probably that's way too advance for the school

That's right. Registration opens about a year before you child would start reception so its far too early if your son will be starting in 2024.

The registration process isn't first come, first serve and were are no limits on how many register either so there is no rush. The selection is down entirely to the assessment and nursery report. If you are keen on one of these schools for 4+ I'd suggest you get you son into any high quality pre-school now. Herne Hill School is a terrific preschool that runs until Year 2 and sends lots of children to Alleyns both at 4 and 7. They don't explicitly prepare for the 4+ but its a terrific preschool that gives kids a good foundation. I'm sure there are similar nurseries and pre-schools in north London and west London that you could sign-up for near where you currently live.

Southlondonmommy thanks a ton for your answers. We tried mulberry but still in wait list. Signed up for a montessori school for now. My son hasn't been away from me ever since he is born. Once he gets used to the school format we will move him to a more formal set up before 4+ / reception. hope things to go as per plan.thanks again.

Southlondonmommy hey another question just popped up in my head .. how do they assess these small kids for reception at these big schools if it's not first come basis. !!

@Rats82

Southlondonmommy thanks a ton for your answers. We tried mulberry but still in wait list. Signed up for a montessori school for now. My son hasn't been away from me ever since he is born. Once he gets used to the school format we will move him to a more formal set up before 4+ / reception. hope things to go as per plan.thanks again.

Also look at Hampstead Hill, Broadhurst and Clowns if you are in North London and are looking for schools to help with 4+ and 7+

You also need to think about what your son is like. Through schools don't like chucking pupils out if they turn out to be unsuitable, but that can be hard to assess at three/four years old. So they tend to select pliant children who toe the line and respond well to teachers, as opposed to more maverick type children. If your son is less conventional or a late developer he may do better at selection for 7+ or 11/13+.

Every school is different and they don't disclose how they make the choice. However, Alleyns explicitly states is selecting for academic potential. They seem to know what they are doing as the intake is all very able but I'd suggest the best things you can do are:

1. Read and discuss stories and make sure they have a wide vocabulary across a variety of topics

1. Make sure they are mastering all the pre-school skills based on the EYFS framework. A good quality preschool though will ensure this is the case.

1. Enjoy a wide variety of experience together which I'm sure you already do-- museums and cultural experiences are great in London

I have a girl but my friends with boys have reliable told me that the expectations for boys is lower at this age so don't be discouraged by what you hear some girls might be doing!

Thank you so much southlondonmommy, preppingforlife and tulipcat!!! ❤️ I ll keep this info in mind for future and might come back to you guys for more help. Thanks!!