Need help, international relocation to London ( Year 9)

[schoolsearch24]

Hi

We are moving from Dubai to London . I need help. feeling so lost looking at process to apply and everyone telling us we are already late. we need a really good academic school for Year 9 Sept 2024 entry. DD12 is a very sensitive kid . How to apply for grammar schools? She is on Academic scholarship in her current school.

Hi

So in the U.K. there are broadly two types is schools, state (free) and independent (costs money)

If you are looking for an independent then entry at year 9 is a standard entry point and you should be able to find somewhere.

If you are looking for a state school then the process is that you move and then tell the local authority that you are there and they will find a school for you. It will be a school with spaces and you do not really have a choice.

Some state schools are grammars (need to sit a test to get in) and some independent schools are grammars (need to sit a test and pay fees each term).

@schoolsearch24 , there aren't any state grammar schools in London, the nearest are HBS in Barnet and Tiffin girls in Kingston. It's virtually impossible to get a place in year 9 in a state grammar when you are moving to London so without a uk address.

Try private schools like St James's in Olympia and Queensgate / Francis Holland Sloane Square and Regent's Park. Does your dd realise she will probably end up in an all girls school? Try Fulham school is she really wants mixed. Schools like Latymer will have already closed their admissions for year 9 in Sept 24.

If you live in parts of SE London like Greenwich then you may be in catchment for Bexley or Kent grammars too

Grammar schools typically start in Y7 after taking the 11+ exam. After that places only become available with attrition. There may be a waiting list of children who just missed out when they were 11, so it is unlikely you will get a place in a state grammar in Y9.

There are some state grammars in London - London Boroughs of Sutton, Kingston, Bromley and Bexley certainly have some!

@schoolsearch24

OP

Do you know where you are likely to be living?

Will you want to be in a particular area of London for work purposes?

Not really. We are okay with a bit of commute. Wanted to sort school first as DC is identified as gifted mathematician

@schoolsearch24 are you looking for state or private? Lots of great schools all over London tbf; might be easier if you could identify where you need to get to in London as that might focus your search.

If state school, you don’t really get to choose; LA will offer place at schools that have spaces. You need an address too.

If private (fee paying) then you have a bit more choice tho I don’t know how often spaces come up in yr 9 tbh.

@schoolsearch24

Would the City of London School For Girls work for you, OP?

https://clsg.org.uk/admissions/occasional-places/

Your best bet is to look at private schools, and determine if traditional gcse/a level or IB is more suitable and whether single sex or coed.

Can you help me with feedback on Dulwich and Essex area? We are moving from a very safe country. So worried about safety. I lost my wallet within hours of landing in London :(

@schoolsearch24

Essex is a massive area, it's an entire county which has cities, towns and rural areas! It's just outside of London, but lots of commuters pour into London from there each morning to work here.

Dulwich is part of SE London, it's considered to be safe and a nice place to live.

Most of London is safe, honestly.

The City's safe - you might like the Barbican.

Are you going to be buying or renting?

If you are using the school as a basis for your home you should use an educational agent for advice.
But the more academic schools have closed their selective year 9 admissions process.
If you want a general mid range private school for an academic dc entering year 9 you will have a lot of choice all over London and the SE.

It would help to give an idea of location that you need to be in for work and of whether you want private or free schools, as previous posters have said.

Free, state schools, you need to apply via the local council waiting lists. For selective state, your son may need to sit an entrance exam and then if a space becomes available, they give to the top scorer, or a similar system. However, to apply to these schools you may also need an address in the area already. Schools in London do get movement, so it would is not impossible to get a space but you may have to wait/not get your first choice.

Private schools- all the entrance processes are different.

Thanks for all the messages and feedback. Can someone suggest a good educational consultat? How much do they typically charge ?

@schoolsearch24

Which part of London do you need to be in for work purposes? Knowing that will really help.

Are any other criteria relevant, for instance, where family members are already living or anything else?

Be sure to fill in the enquiry form for the City of London School for Girls on the link, you need to get your skates on as far as a school place is concerned.

Work is canary wharf. But half of time it can be done remotely. So we are planning to live near school

Is it private school that you want? Otherwise there's nothing you can do until your dc is in the U.K. and you have a fixed address (not a hotel/airbnb)

The big name in schools consultancy is Gabbitas

Are you looking at JAGS, given your interest in Dulwich area?

Or state schools only?

Although many private schools will be towards the end of their year 9 recruitment process there may still be an opportunity to be assessed in case places come up once offers are confirmed or to join a waiting list. Look at gdst schools such as Bromley High, there are several across south London. What sort of area are you looking to live in and for what budget? Cost of Dulwich properties will be significantly more than out in Essex.

I know it might be a bit further than you are thinking but how about Brighton? My very sensitive and very academic 13yo DD goes to Roedean and is very happy there. The Y9 applications have closed but I think they do consider late applications. Lots of people commute from Brighton to London, or your DD could get school transport from as far north as Haywards Heath which is on the train line to London.

Would Blackheath be a possibility for you?

https://www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.net/3737/join-the-senior-school