Year 6 private school places - South London area

[poppydopolous]

We shall be returning to UK in Summer 2010 and looking for a year 6 place for our ds. We know from colleagues it is impossible to get a place in a (good) state school from abroad as they refuse to consider your application until you are resident in the area. Seems that despite all the rhetoric on choice places are still allocated on the basis of distance from the school. We do not want to move to an area and then find we do not get a place at the school of our choice and have to bus the poor boy miles in the opposite direction. So - we are thinking about the private sector. Reading these pages I get the impression that London preps are only intersted in junior Einsteins. Now DS is not daft, but not in the genius category either. He is sporty and does speak French and German though in addition to English. What are our chances of getting a place at a South London prep eg Thomas', Dulwich College Prep, or similar. Are some easier to get into than others?

[merrymonsters]

Our state primary in SW London is extremely oversubscribed in reception, but the current Year 6 has about 17 children in it. In previous years, there are usually about 25 kids in Year 6.

Year 6 is usually easy to get places in even in popular schools. Quite a few people move their kids to private schools or they move out of London by that age.

[MommyG]

Thanks Lizs

[DrChar]

My daughter has recently started reception year at the Hurlingham and I would totally disagree with the comments made previously . I have found it excellent and feel that the education it provides is outstanding. It is nurturing and caring and certainly does not focus on 'computer games and fashion' . It may not suit the 'high fliers' who want their children to be more competitive, but is ideal for those who would like a well rounded and contented child.

Sometimes the perception that you have of a school may be different before you actually experience the reality of having a child attend it!

[Blu]

Not sure why you are so indignant about choice etc - surely no school can keep a few places unfilled on the off chance that a family will arrive back and need a place in Yr 6!

[LuluBaLulu]

Thank DrChar for your comments about Hurlingham! My son is about to enter reception at Hurlingham and i was very nervous when I read the previous comments. It's good to learn about the school from people who have experienced it.
I hope your children are still happy.