What would you do?? Private or state in central London??

[Mumdogs]

We’re currently in the process of looking for schools for our DS in central London. We have the option of sending him to a private prep school, as we have the extra funds to do so. However, we’re also wondering if we should go for a state school, as it’s be more down to earth and there are some good ones near to us.
What would you do? Are prep schools really worth it?

It depends on your specific state option vs prep, you can generalise as there is huge variations i quality.

Also, adequacy will depend on your child’s specific needs and your ability (timewise) to supplement his activities a outside of school.

Hello, i think it really depends on where in central you are? We’ve gone independent but where I am there are some wonderful state schools that I would happily send DD to.

For state you'd have to live quite close to the school. For independent it is not unusual to travel a bit (there are private buses etc and public transport system for older kids).
But schools vary so much! It really depends where you are or if you can afford to live close enough to a good state school.

What are your plans for secondary?

If you're after one of the uber competitive London indie day places then you will need to be up for tutoring for the 11+ if you go with state.

FWIW, we went for London state for both primary and secondary (looked at indie for secondary but the state option was a better fit - no regrets).

Thank you everyone!
For context we live around the Pimlico area and for private we have looked at WCCS and Garden House (which would be further), those being our top two at the moment, as well as some other options like Newton Prep and Eaton Square School.
The closest state schools would be Pimlico Primary, St.Gabriel’s coef, Westminster Cathedral RC. Possibly could be St.Peters Eaton Square or St.Vincent’s but those are both a bit further.

For secondary, no plan at the moment, but Westminister school is close, but also very hard to get into. If we start state we might switch later for secondary, as I don’t know much about the local options, except for Grey Coat Hospital which wouldn’t work as we have a boy.
But if we start at a prep school we’d probably continue down that path for secondary, might have to travel a bit further though.

Private

@Mumdogs have old is your child? Are you on any lists at the moment? Have you seen any schools? What is your child like? How far are you willing to travel.
I live in Westminster too and honestly the schools in state are really good...

I think the state schools in London tend to be better than outside, but they do vary massively. I would stand outside the school gates at picking up time of all your favourite state schools and assess the behaviour of the other parents and children.
As there's more movement in prep schools in London, it's also not that important that you get in for reception (and often there isn't an entry point then as a lot of children have gone for upper nursery).