Child struggling in year 3, would a change to private school be best? Could anyone recommend good private schools in central London?

[stokeytiger]

My DD is in year 3 at a state primary in Hackney. She has always struggled academically, and is spending a lot of her time with the 'naughty boys' on the 'bottom table'. She has recently said they are in this group because they're the kids who can't do things. I try my best to raise her confidence and encourage her to keep trying her best. Although I've managed to get her moved onto a different table for part of the day, she still spends lots of time with these kids and they are very disruptive (I help with guided reading with them often in the school). She has been assessed and has no learning difficulties. I don't feel she can even start to catch up in this situation.

She does enjoy school and likes her friends there, but I'm thinking the only answer is to move her to an independent primary.

Does anyone know of any in central/north London that aren't academically selective, or have any other ideas?
Thanks

Dallington?Have friends who love it. Nonselective. Or Gatehouse? not sure if it selects or has long waiting list. Is it worth trying tutoring to get her moved up? Sounds miserable for you.

She already does Kumon maths, and English workbooks with me at home... slow progress.
Thanks for those, I'll look them up

I don't know your area so can't advise on specific schools, but does it have to be independant? A lot of people think that going private will be the answer to the problem (although I am not disputing that in many cases it might be). Are there other state schools that you could look at, one that might be able to motivate her to try harder? Sometimes a change of scene and a change from the disruptive boys that she has fallen in with.

You would have to check out the private schools. Where I live you have to pay extra (on top of the fees) for extra tutoring if your child is struggling in any subject

What does the teacher say, what is the teacher suggesting your child needs? Sometimes home tutoring programmes can be helpful (educationc ity and whizz are two good ones that can help confidence)

I would have a discussion about the negative effects of these other children, your child has a right to be educated and it sounds like they are not giving her that opportunity

Im not sure Kumon is the best way of teaching her if she is struggling anyway, she needs to learn strategies on how to do calculations. Kumon is good for basic maths.

An additional suggestion, if you do decide to go down the independent route, is The Lyceum located on the North end of the City just on the border of Hackney and Islington.
My DD was at this school until a couple of years ago when she left to go to our first choice senior school and I have posted on this school before but briefly

• non-selective entry, often has vacancies in various year groups because people move out of London etc.
• is genuinely good at bringing out the best in pupils across a range of abilities, e.g. from the scholarship standard kids to the less able
• strong on discipline but relatively easy-going on homework up until year 5 when secondary entrance prep sets in
• very good at integrating kids for whom other schools (both private and state) did not work out, for a variety of reasons
• small classes, with 16 or 17 the max
• very strong but also very inclusive on music
• very strong on hands-on living learning and school trips, including residential trips from year 4 upwards, e.g. a few days spent living as "Victorians" in year 4 or as WWII evacuees in years 5 and 6.
• very welcoming to parents, genuine effort at communications, frequent assemblies and termly plays and parents are actively encouraged to attend

I would give them a call and if they have a place go and see them. Feel free to PM me with specific questions. Good luck!

Sounds like a useless school to me. Have you thought about moving within the state sector? There's quite a lot of great primaries in Hackney. Lots are over subscribed (am sure you know that already!), but by Year 3 there are quite often places as people move

I know lots of people who have kids in other primaries nearby and the 2 other schools nearest to me were both put under special measures after their Ofsteds last year.
The school she's at does seem to try to do it's best and her teacher is very helpful, but he has a class full of kids with lots of problems. I feel like it's just a bit of an impossible task for him. And she does seem to be a very slow learner.
I thought she would get more attention in a private school.
I will definetley check out the Lyceum, it's in a convenient location for me... time to stop going on holidays I think

Have you visited the schools that are fresh out of special measures? They'll be inspected so often and so intensively now that they'll be different schools from when they failed Ofsted. If not, I know several parents with children at Gatehouse in Victoria Park and they're happy with it. Good luck. She's a lucky little girl to have such an involved and caring parent.

Dallington is lovely

Lyceum worth a go. Outside space is compensated for by using the Artillery Ground/parks etc. Very inclusive and not selective at all. My DD is there too, feel free to PM me as well as Summersoon.