Relocating from US to North west London

[Abchella]

Hello mums, I recently just moved to NW London (Mill Hill) from California, I have two boys; my first son just finished grade 1, and I have been told he will be in primary 4 in a British school (as he just turned 8), my second son just finished preK, and he will be going to year 1 according to the British system. I am terrified as I have tried to catch them up over the summer using the British curriculum; the workload is scary, as my first son has not even started learning multiplication, and I just don’t want to rush through concepts.

I tried the American school in St John’s Wood but it is full. Please I would appreciate advice on small nurturing schools in the area or within a 10mile radius at the most, that can catch my boys up, especially my older son without excessive pressure and he will still have the opportunity to enjoy school.

thank you so much in advance.

I think you need an international school as presumably you won’t be here for ever?

Dwight in F Barnet is an international school - has a good rep and is non selective I think. There is an also North London international school I think, I don’t know what it’s like, but take a look. In general international schools are good at settling kids in.

Otherwise -

St Christina’s in Hampstead is a nurturing private prep

Devonshire house in Hampstead is non selective (I think) quite good I think

belmont is the prep for Mill Hill school. I don’t know lots about it but MH school is good without being wildly academic

Cavendish has a nice gentle rep. Small school

Goodwyns in Mill Hill is quite trad but not a hot house

Grimsdell is prep and senior, but you don’t have to stay all through, quite big, not v academic.

St Martin’s has a bit of a mixed rep - it’s quite cramped physically, but some parents really like it.

There are loads of schools around you - so Google and x-ref

@Abchella

Would these linked schools be suitable for your little ones, OP?

https://www.millhill.org.uk/pre-prep/

https://www.millhill.org.uk/prep/

Just FYI, Grimsdell is the pre-prep to Belmont and Mill Hill.

OP, there’s also Edge Grove, Aldenham and St Margaret’s in Bushey (although I’ve not heard good things about Edge Grove lately).

Notting Hill Prep was great for us when we were in a similar situation.

Oh yes - I’m mixing it up w Goodwyn

Belmont and Grimsdell (same school family in Mill Hill) would suit both kids but they may be full - definetely worth checking. Good schools and go all the way to 18.

Schools like St Martin and Goodwyn are also non-selective and small but may be a little more pressure because they finish in Year 6 and the other kids may start prepping for 11+ exams from Year 5 or even earlier.

Cavendish is a girls school in Camden, so not relevant to you.

There are great schools in Hamsptead and Devonshire House has quite a few Americans but depends on your appetite for the commute into town.

The local state schools are good too - depending on where you are. St Paul's CofE, St Vincent's which is Catholic amongst others and you could top-up with light tutoring to catch them up as required