Non selective private schools in London that put happiness first?

[Legoeverywhere123]

We’re looking to move back to London and I’m struggling to find a school that isn’t very academically / results focused.

My kids are bright and love learning, but I want a school that puts happiness first and helps kids become autonomous learners and concentrates a lot on helping children to understand themselves, and support their mental health and self esteem. (Basically the stuff that lots of wonderful private nurseries do!)

Can anyone recommend any schools that I can look at that truly put happiness first? But that aren’t totally chaotic at the same time?!

(I’m not really into Steiner.)

I should say - primary initially. But interested in secondary too.

How would your children define their happiness? If it’s reading or science or whatever it is perhaps use this as a stating point. As for MH and well-being schools are all over this.

bear in mind that what makes your children happy now could very well change when they experience other curriculum based activities

Just outside SW London - try Claremont in Esher or Hampton Court House in Hampton Court or Radnor House in Twickenham

where abouts are you looking and what ages are the children?

Claremont and Radnor (secondary) are both selective now too 🙄apparently they have had such an increase in applicants post covid that they can now be academically selective too to match all the other selective schools around them.

Are you looking for dd or ds or mixed and what ages? Lots of lovely prep schools in Surrey like Rowan in Claygate or Feltonfleet in Cobham but they all have the pressure of entrance exams to secondary school.
Hampton court house and Radnor house are both now owned Dukes Education and have possibly lost their usp. Dukes own Heathside in Hampstead too.

To the North of London look at aldenham and Stormont

We (and our DS) are very pleased with St Margaret’s, Bushey for all the reasons you describe. It’s far from chaotic - very well run with warm, approachable and effective leadership, excellent comms with parents, happy children learning lots in small classes from good teachers. Plenty of time spent outside in the wonderful grounds, sports facilities and woodland. Co-ed now, and goes through from nursery to Y13. It’s a long-established charitable trust with a board of governors, and not part of a private-equity group.

Do PM me if you like.

Ewell Castle goes all the way from Nursery to Sixth Form. Lots of good vibes from the staff, ethos, pupils, etc.

Buckingham Prep in Harrow. I'm so impressed with the children that come out of there.

Literally one of the most pushy prep schools in NW London focused almost entirely on academics to the most selective secondary schools

Mount House - it's the go-to school for kids who want to be treated nicely at school. Very popular in North London. It's non-selective. The entrance exam is just for the school to know the child's level.

The Gardener School Group schools

Have a look at the family learning school in Catford.
www.familylearningschool.com/

in north london, look at St Margaret's Hampstead (girls only).

Thank you for these! We were in north London before, so we have a network there although can be flexible!

Some of the schools suggested seem to be in Surrey, which is a bit of a move too far out for us I think, although they do look interesting.

I agree that the things that give children happiness changes, of course! But what I mean is: I want them to love going to school and to continue to enjoy learning and not be turned off or turned anxious by the pressure of exams etc.

And are definitely looking for a mixed school, non-boarding.

Has this one been mentioned?
www.kingalfred.org.uk/

North London. I had a friend who's kids went there and they loved it.

I agree with some previous posters that being just a little bit out of London (within a 30 minute commute) actually gives you more options for the sort of schools you are after. Some ideas in Herts:

York House
Westbrook Hay
Edge Grove
Beechwood Park
St Margarets (Bushey)
Aldenham
St Christopher’s

You could live in places like Harpenden, St Albans and Berkhamsted which are all very “London” (in that most people buying there are moving out of London) and have direct trains into London. You just get more physical space. Westbrook Hay for example has 25 acres and encourage tree climbing and den building. It’s just not possible at some of those cramped London sites.

I suppose it also depends on where you are working and transport.

Cameron Vale (Chelsea) is definitely worth a look - very child focussed and nurturing, whilst getting good destination results but not a ‘exam factory’. I know families there and the children are very happy and enjoy school (and the Head is lovely).

its too far south but it sounds like atelier 21
in Crawley would be up your street
maybe if you search that it will come up with other suggestions that fit better geographically

Totally agree with this!!!

I would say all of these would hit the mark

This one is was the first thing I thought of

Be very clear what you want. In my experience as a teacher, the happiest kids are well rounded, thoughtful, appreciative. Some schools that pander too much to parents' idea of "happiness" end up churning out whiny, entitled children. I know parents don't always like to hear it, but schools run best when management sides with the teachers, not always the parents.