Expat kids - moving to London mid-year

[riverdalian]

My DH is being assigned to London in the new year. We will be moving from Toronto, Canada. We are all really excited about the opportunity but I have lots of questions. Any experience on moving kids mid-year - for us probably end of March/beginning of April? Trying to decide if better to move then so family can be together or wait until summer. Also, any views on Hill House vs. American School? Any other schools we might be able to get into on short notice? Thanks :)

You are unlikely to be able to secure a place in a British state school until you have a UK address.

For the private sector, you will need to contact each school you are interested in individually. Do you know roughly what area if London you'll be in? (The school run is no joke if you have an awkward journey)

I don't know anything about the American School, but have friends with children at Hill House - which us very experienced in dealing with relocating children.

You might want to get hold if The Good Schools Guide (available online) as a start point for your research.

I would second what onimolap wrote.

I would also say that you need to think about whether you want your children to stay in the American system (that is assuming the Canadian system is more similar to the US system than to the Uk - no idea whether it is) or whether you would be comfortable moving to the UK system. You don't say how old your children are but be aware that, in the UK, children move on to "secondary" school the September after they turn 11 - that final year in "primary" school(called year 6) is therefore very important because in the private system (and for some state schools "grammar" schools) children sit competitive entrance exams. You may find it difficult to get a private school to take on a child of about 10. Boys often don't move until they are 13 so more difficult for girls than for boys at that age.

In any case, you need to take action fairly quickly. In the private sector, there is usually a term's notice to paid by people leaving, so (unfilled or newly vacant) places may be opening up but there is usually a waiting list. Therefore, you need to get in touch with likely schools asap. Will you have an opportunity to visit before you move?

Onimolap is not kidding about the school run. If you tell us roughly which area you will live in, there are lots of people who can give you advice on schools.

Thanks Summersoon and onimolap. Children are young (DD - 4 and DS - 6, almost seven) so I am open to British or American system. Because they are young they would still have time to readjust when we go back to Canada in 3 years or so without worrying about secondary. DH needs quick access to Paddington because he will do a lot of travelling from Heathrow and wants to express train so as long as we are within 3 - 4 tube stops of Paddington I think we are ok. Thinking maybe South Ken, High St ken, Notting Hill, Bayswater, Marylebone, Maida Vale. DH already travels to London frequently so he can visit schools soon. the kids and I probably will visit in Nov. or Jan. depending on DH's travel schedule.

Bumping tis one for you.

You may want to consider reposting in this section but with a different title, e.g. "Prep schools near Paddington?" or something like that.