Need help finding state schools in Brent!

[Watermelondon]

New to Mumsnet and new to London!
Moving back to UK after living abroad for 20+ years. Have two boys aged 11 and aged 8 and moving into Wembley, Brent.

Desperately need help finding state schools for them! While Ofsted rates them high, I am looking for more than academics.

As this is a big adjustment for the boys, new country, new home, new school, I would like them to be in the same school and want a nice environment with great administration / school management.

I am looking for state schools but if the private schools aren’t too high I might consider.

Preferences:

•	Preferably all through for boys to stay together
•	Co-ed
•	SEN support
•	Ethnic diversity
•	International school environment
•	IB program is possible

Please help!

Thank you 😊

There are very few (if any) all through state schools - best you might find is a secondary school with named feeders.

If you are in Brent schools will have a high level of ethnic diversity.

Not heard of many state schools doing IB.

private school fees generally £20k plus a year and likely to rise significantly post the next election.

good luck in your search! As posters have said on the other thread, the deadline for year 7 applications has passed so you may have to take what you can get for the 11 year old and go on waiting lists

@Watermelondon , you need to start by ringing Brent council and finding out which secondary schools are not full for year 7 in September (there won't be many) and then work back to find a primary school near by. Good luck as it won't be easy.

Re private schools, again you have missed the cut off for a year 7 place in September in the more academic schools but there will be somewhere that would take 2 dc, maybe subscribe to the good schools guide, or ring somewhere like St Benedict's in Ealing. (It may be closed for the next 2 weeks for Easter holiday).

Hi, found you 😊

Do you have to settle at Wembley Brent? As previous poster said, there aren't many state schools do all-through. If you definitely want to pursue it, probably worth a rethink about where you want to settle based on the school you aim at. The only school in our area that I know it's all-through and good is Ashmore but it's extremely popular. Unlikely you get a place without being on a waitlist. So you may have to compromise to let the kids settle in different schools to begin with.

Beware, any good state school will have very small catchment area. That's the other reason why you may want to decide where to settle based on school options, not the other way round. Long commute for schools in London is no fun. If you want to be sure about how high the chance is, ring the school and ask how often they have in-year places and how the waitlist works.

Private school system has more all-through offering per my understanding.

About "international school environment", I recall seeing any proper international schools are usually aiming at highly mobile families - diplomas and Military. That's probably not very good for stable friendships unless you don't intend to stay in the country for long either. If you just look for diversity though, London schools aren't short of people from all backgrounds.

Good luck!

@Watermelondon , if you had no budget concerns then ACS Hillingdon probably fits your bill.

What kind of SEN support are you looking for?

Be warned that SEN services in state schools are at breaking point and without an EHCP your chances of getting any tangible support are slim.

Depending on the SEN and level, you may also find that private schools are reluctant to take on SEN students - definitely be upfront with them about it as you don't want to send a child to a school and find they don't actually want to cater for SEN. Also worth finding out what additional costs would be involved as SEN support is often added to the termly bill.

In London you'd want to budget around 20k per child for private and factor in that there may be an extra 20% from next year when Labour add VAT.

I wish! Budget is a concern, hence state schools but if a private school on the low end is suggested I will look into it. Thanks!!

Thank you so much for your feedback!
SEN for eldest is ADHD related (entering Year 7) and youngest has some SPD and currently being evaluated abroad.

Brent council did tell me the moment the kids arrive in UK to inform them and an EHCP (?) will be carried out for both ahead of placing them.

Good to know about 20K per kid. I probably won't be able to afford it this year and not until my husband gets a spousal visa and can apply for work! Single and low income at the moment.

Really appreciate everyone's help. I am in such a panic so appreciate every one you taking the time to message me!

Make sure you get that from Brent in writing regarding the EHCP as that is basically unheard of at the moment in England.

Normally it's a minimum 20 weeks and I know people who are well over the year mark with appeals.

Good to know! Luckily I did get an email back with an EHCP form to fill out! Fingers crossed.

Just need the kids to hurry up and come to UK - was even thinking of pulling them out a month early to be in the UK earlier and start the process sooner than later!