Serious help needed! Private education in Richmond? Dont know where to start!

[sharanbear]

I really hope someone out there can give me some advise, tips, help, anything! Ahh!

Ok, so my hubby will be moving to London end of august start of September. I am thinking I might go with him and my 2 boys. He would be staying for a year, possibly longer (but I hope not!).

I'm originally from N.I, Hubby is from U.A.E (that's were we've been living for the past 11 years).

So we are not going to be able to see any schools, do tours etc.

His company would pay whatever amount if we wanted to send the kids to private school.
I have twin boys, who will turn 7 in the summer. They just completed kg2 here in the U.A.E, and would be going to grade one.
Since they were premature etc etc, they have slight difficulties in learning. Not enough to be special needs. They are starting to read and write and do maths. It just takes more time and practice for them than a typical 6 year old.

So I thought private schools would have smaller class sizes and it might benefit them to have extra attention.

Im not looking for a hugely academic school.

Just somewhere friendly, were they can learn in a nice environment and they will be well looked after.

Hubby will be in Battersea area for work.
We don't want to be in central central London. Hubby doesn't mind travelling a little for work.

Im just starting the search for accommodation. So where should we go?

Im thinking Richmond area?

Please tell me what schools there are that are good?
Preferably private?
Would we even get a place being such short notice?

Any advise is welcome as this was a bit of a shock to us, and Im feeling very lost : (

Thanks in advance to anyone that reads my plea for help!

Sharan x

If your sons are turning 7 in the summer they would go into Year 3 here.

If they are just starting to read and write and do maths I'm afraid they would be a long way behind a typical Y3 child in the UK where formal education starts very early.

You might be best with a very small, nurturing school known for giving very individualised attention.

What about Bloo House? Would that be too far out?

In Richmond try falcons or kings house (both boys only). You will struggle to get space for 2 in yr3 at any of the privates in Richmond though - best bet is to start phoning admissions people and chatting to them.

Alternatively you could try Radnor house in twickenham which goes through to 18 (and is mixed), or the lower schools for Hampton, latymer etc

Thanks guys for the suggestions : )

I'm making lists now, its 1am here now.

I'll get calling them tomorrow.

There seems to be a lot of interviews and screenings and basically sizing up the kids before accepting them into private schools. Am I correct?
That leaves me a bit worried at how I would get a place if I'm not even there!

Anyway, thanks again, off to get some sleep now

x

For entry into year 3 both children would need to undertake an assessment which would include maths, English and verbal/ non verbal reasoning .
Entry at this point is competitive and they are looking for academic children . However entry for schools in richmond at an earlier point reception is on a first come first served basis .
However Radnor house could work as it is an all through school . 7-18 .
Also Hampton court house and Claremont fan court / ibstock (this more academic now though ) all 7-18 schools .

I would imagine that two children who are some way behind might struggle a bit in a lot of Richmond/surrounding areas prep schools. Most are highly academic and are aiming at getting children into academically selective secondary day schools (eg St Paul's, Latymer Upper, Hampton etc). Your children would be assessed before entry and I doubt very much that most of the schools would be interested in children who are only just beginning to read and write. I'd also worry in your shoes about the effect on your sons' self esteem if they were placed in a class where pretty much all the cohort will be a very long way ahead of them. It could be quite tough on them, especially coupled with the stress of being in a foreign country.

I would also say that round here, state schools are mainly excellent. There are not really any bad primary schools in Richmond upon Thames. They are also more set up for supporting children who are not fully up to speed with their year group. While it would mean being in a bigger class, there would be more likely to be specific support for mild learning difficulties etc. I know that DD's (state) school is very used to children joining who have not had as much formal schooling as the British children and very on the ball about extra support to help them catch up, as well as a good track record with SEN. It would definitely be worth at least considering the state options, although you would have to have an address in Richmond before applying.

Good luck!

How about contacting the Good Schools Guide consultants, I think you need help as you need a particular type of school - I would think there are v few in London more so in Surrey, sussex and other Home Counties that are comutable. Otherwise state school by Richmond borough v oversubscribed and you may not get a local school.

Well, Y3 would help with that as infant class size no longer applies and at least two Richmond schools are expanding in the near future so there may well be some spaces available. Also, some people do swap to private at the start of Y3. I know for a fact that at least one child in my daughter's class will be leaving at the end of this term (she is currently in Y2 and going into Y3 next year) and we are in Richmond.

These guys will be able to help.

I've used them before:
www.gabbitas.co.uk/

We're in Richmond. A lot of the schools are very academic and competitive - but you could perhaps look at the Steiner/Froebel style schools - Ibstock (in Roehampton which isn't far) used to be quite laidback though I have heard they now place more of an emphasis on academic achievement. Tower House is another nearby one which you could try (more East Sheen way - but within 10 minutes or so). I think there are some Steiner schools Balham/Morden way if you're not tied to living in Richmond and would consider Clapham or Wimbledon (both nice areas as well).

You could also look at places like Merlin in Putney which only go up to 8 - since you're not looking for something longer term. They may have places come up given that some children will do the 7+ and leave then - meaning that for their final year there is space.

State primaries are heavily oversubscribed but places do open up from time to time - you'd need to contact the council. However, if your husband's work will pay, I would go private due to smaller class sizes.

One thing - when applying to the schools, I wouldn't mention that it is likely to be a short duration only - they are unlikely to want to give a precious place up to a child who is only going to pay 1 year of school fees...

Thanks again for all the amazing messages!

I think we have found a house in Ham which is looking like the winner so far.

I have written everyone's suggestions down and have started contacting all the schools.

I know it will be tough (I'm already stressed out!), but hopefully we will find something.

You guys are wonderful, thank you so so much for the help!

Sharan x

St Richards and Meadlands in Ham are both delightful state primary schools with lots of outside green space and only one form of entry so the schools are quite small overall. You would be able to walk your children to school instead of putting them through a car journey that might take a long time in traffic in the rush hour. Not sure if they would have any space but I do recommend looking at them.