Secondary school September 2025

[TherealDora]

Hello, Might anyone recommend independent schools with great SEN provision. I'm looking at what options we have for secondary for my son who is a very bright child but academically it all translates to middle of the class attainment. He is also musically gifted.
Please do share any schools you think are worth looking into. We in St John’s Wood so preferably something in the north-west and the west of London with surrounding areas.

About Us | Wetherby Senior School - All Year 7s learn to play a brass or string instrument, with teaching supported by professional musicians, so great music provision and good academics.

Home - Kensington Park School Great pastoral care, lovely nurturing feel, good facilities

@xmasdealhunter thank you so much. We did consult with London Park School and after visiting we decided that it won’t be a suitable placement for our DS. I will look into Wetherby.

Ah that's fair enough. Bales College is also definitely worth a look, Private Independent School in Central West London - Bales College, as is West London Free School - Musical Aptitude (Not an independent school, but if your DS passed the musical aptitude test then they would look to offer him a place regardless of catchment area. They are a musical specialist school and they offer various benefits to their music aptitude students).

The problem being that if this is for year 7 this coming September, places have now been allocated. Of course, she can make an application to any school at any time, but where her DS would be ranked against the published oversubscription criteria on an oversubscribed state school waiting list is another matter. (Indies being 'indie' don't have to hold their waiting lists in any published, enforceable order, of course) Does WLFS even arrange late, late sittings of its musical aptitude/ ability (whichever one it is) test?

Unless your DS in the process of getting an ECHP, @TherealDora , but no school has yet been consulted to see whether it can meet his needs?

@MarchingFrogs That's very true, I assumed with the timing of the OP posting that it was the EHCP scenario but potentially not, in which case it will be hoping that some indies have a place free

@xmasdealhunter DS already has an EHCP we just haven’t been lucky with all the independent Mainstream schools that we consulted and so therefore didn’t receive any offers.

@MarchingFrogs I visited Bales college but unfortunately I just didn’t like the setting and just didn’t give off the vibe of a proper school. Such a shame as the distance would have been perfect for DS. The kings Alfred are fully subscribed for his year group.

That's fair enough! WLFS is probably not an option then. I know it's not a 'traditional' choice because your DS isn't an international pupil, but have a look around (in person if possible to get a feel!) ICS IB Secondary School - International School London, UK. They offer GCSEs, so no change there, but have a rolling admissions policy so you've a good chance of your DS being offered a place. Classes are nice and small, great pastoral (and SEN) support and good facilities. There are a number of pupils who aren't international but who's parents just liked the school, so your DS wouldn't be the only one!

London privates for SEN can be tricky and even the most nurturing schools may feel they can’t support.

Northbridge house Cannonbury is a school which is small but known for good SEN support and based on what I know about the current Y7 acceptances it is possible they will have spaces (it is a very small school and almost no grounds though)

Maida Vale is another recommendation but not sure about how open their intake is as I’ve had SEN friends this year not be successful.

Halcyon is also an international school which possibly has places and could be suitable?

@Minnowmeow Thanks for the recommendations. Maida Vale school we visited as the location was nearby even though I was warned by other parents that they not really accept SEN kids, we still consulted and they came back as couldn’t meet needs. Even had a meeting with the SENCo and she bottom line told me they were trying to step away from an accepting SEN Kids.
I also visited North Bridge House last year. LA just sent off a consultation letter to them so I’m hoping that works out for us, will also look into the other schools you mentioned.

this whole process is so stressful as most private independent schools are not too keen on SEN kids. Blossom House am not so sure about. Abingdon House, we have an up coming trial day next week, but am not so sure if the kids do make progress academically ?