Independent Primary School applications in London

[Freddiethefirefly]

Hello
I was not educated in the UK, and therefore I am not sure of the process.
I would like my daughter (10months), to go to school in London... I know I am planning early!

When do I have to apply ? 'put her name down'? How do they chose the 4 year olds which should attend?

Any school recommendations welcome in West/Southwest London/Surrey.

Thank You

Start with getting yourself an online subscription to the Good Schools Guide (google will give you its website). If you are wanting to use independent primary schools that will list everything you should be considering. (It doesn't work for state primary schools, as it isn't comprehensive enough.)

Work out your options from where you will be living - there are maps to make it easy, and there are so many private primary schools in that kind of area that you won't need to consider long travel. (Recommendations from on here in that size of area won't really help you make a list - what you should do is identify your options and then ask for thoughts on those particular schools.)

The entries in the GSG will give you an idea of admissions process, which will vary by school. Be aware that some schools (usually the non-selective ones) run an applications list from birth, so at 10 months you are not early but actually too late! But there are loads of schools so you won't have missed the boat for all of them.

On how they choose, again it varies - some (as above) are non-selective - you get a place because you put your name down in time; some are very academically selective, even for 4yos, some do a test but are not particularly difficult to get into.

Once you have your list, go and visit them all and see what you think. The more you visit, the more you will refine your own feelings about what you want out of a school.

Bink, thank you so much...that was quick, and so helpful.