Moving to London from LA-- need help with schools.

[lamom]

Help! We are moving to London from Los Angeles Jan 2012-June 2012 with a then 7 y/o and 10y/o. They currently go to a diverse public (state) magnet school. We are open to anything but would prefer a state school. Is this possible? Where do we start? We hope to be located near the London School of Hygeine and Trop Med. Thanks for any help.

Am adding nothing to the helpful advice here but I had really no idea that people from other countries on short stay visas can use the school system - how is that when they cant for the NHS.

Am not averse to it btw am just interested.

Yes, true. I made the assumption that they were up to the adventure as they are currently in a magnet school in Los Angeles which is probably diverse and unusual already.

People from other countries can use the NHS if they are visiting to live or work and not just as a tourist, even if it's a short stay.

Oh so it just depends what visa you're on for both? Interesting - thanks.

I assumed that people on short stay work visas were paid for by private health insurance - like when you do a secondment for the UN but maybe thats becaue the taxation for some UN jobs is different etc.

Things may be different than when I was in the uk (10+ years ago when I arrived), but I showed up and registered with a local gp. I have Italian and American passports, but I don't remember them having asked for proof of either one. I know that even visitors can get free emergency care (as my brother did when he put his fist through my front window).

using the NHS for free

I reckon most Americans are up for adventure. :) It would have been considered weird at best in my family if you weren't (100% opposite of how English DH was raised!!)

I know several Americans who aren't remotely so. I also suspect agoraphobia exists in the USA, which would seem to make adventurousness unlikely.

When your population runs into the hundreds of millions, I would imagine there would be the usual variations of temperament.

Mumsnet can be pretty snarky, mind you. Depends on the section of the site, group of posters you happen to attract to your thread, and probably on the phase of the moon and the day's TV schedules as well...

What I posted before about the need for a UK address wasn't meant to be off-putting, just a factor to bear in mind when applying.

Private schools may be an option (as address won't matter). To research these, start with The Good Schools Guide (available on line). You will need to contact each school individually about availability and criteria for entry. Typical cost in London £3500 -£4500 per child per term.

You might want to look at Hill House as it's an international school, and runs on a 4term year (so may fit your dates better). It's also well experienced in children moving in and out of different systems. [Beware: it has a "marmite" uniform - you either love it or hate it! Includes rust knickerbockers].

You might find your younger child has the greater difficulties in meeting the expectations of UK schooling, especially in literacy. DD (yr2) has a new arrival in her class from the States and there are some issues - but the form mistress is completely laid back about it, has arranged some additional support and thinks she'll be indistinguishable from the class at large in a couple of terms.

Hi lamom. I'm from a similar situation in that I grew up in California and taught in the San Diego School District before moving to London. I now have a 3 year old who will be going to school soon, and teach in a Camden school (which is the area you're looking in). If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. There is an American school in St. Johns Wood (called The American School). It's quite international, but teaches the American school curriculum. There's also the International School London (ISL I think) that caters to children who are in London for only short periods of time. Children come from all over the world and are in London for various reasons. I've worked with them for certain projects and they have a really nice ethos and lovely teachers. Not sure of price on either as they're both independent. As others have said, Christopher Hatton is a great school.

Good luck with the move! London is a great place to live and to introduce your kids too. It's also incredibly child friendly with free museums, lots of free children's activities and great parks.