Best public primary schools in North London

[Mosurgia]

I am relocating back to London from US and my daughter has to start reception in September 2018. I know I am late for the admission deadline for the State schools so I am looking for a public school. Can anyone recommend a good public school ideally in North London but I am open to any area. Thank you!

Do you mean a private (fee paying) school? I’m afraid you may struggle to get in anywhere at this point but you might be able to get on a waiting list?

Thank you - Yes I mean fee paying school. I guess I need to try the waiting lists then. Is there any school you would recommend?

OK. you can forget channing, south hampstead, highgate, NLCS, Habs - they are all hugely sought after and their admissions system is done by now.

schools that have more movement and are considered to be backup options include St Margaret's in kidderpore gardens (lovely school, really nice, small, nurturing), Heathside, The Village, Northbridge House, Hendon Prep, Devonshire House, Radlett prep (bit further out). Also the pre-preps that go up to year 2 - Annemount, golders hill, hampstead hill, the Avenue, Mulberry house

@pigshavecurlytails - Thank you, I will try them all. I would also be open to good schools in other areas of London should you know them. I think at this stage I need to try everythink I can. Thank you! Appreciate it.

If you want to move a bit further out to Kew/Richmond/Twickenham you will find space in private Prep schools, you can ask a local estate agent or use a Good Schools guide for names of schools. The state schools places in the area are allocated to parents on 16th April and a lot of parents hold a private school place that they release back if they get a state school place at the school they wanted. There is lots of waiting list movement in April in Prep schools in Borough of Richmond.

@Sunshine5050, Thank you so much.

I only know the NW London bubble I'm afraid!

You could try Aldenham which is in Elstree, less selective but I know people who have kids there and they really rate it. co-ed, goes to 18. Edge Grove is round that area too, goes to 13 but has a less good reputation, not sure why. There's also Manor Lodge in the same sort of area.

Hi OP

Places that it might be worth contacting are:

The Children's House (N1) - this only goes to age 7
The Lyceum (Hackney / City border)
Dallington (Islington / City border)
Charterhouse Square (City)
Rosemary Works (Islington)
Gower School (Islington) - there's a thread about this on Education but I have met people who have been very happy here
St Anthony's School for Girls (NW11)
GEMS Hampshire (SW3)
Dwight School (N12) - this is an international school
Belmont Mill Hill (NW7)

I don't know which of these will have places. If you are only here for a year then I know that St Andrew's Montessori (Islington) can take children in Reception as well but I don't think there are all that many schools that take girls at age 5+ - however, this may mean that you can apply for a space at a state school for Year 1.

Sorry, I should have also said that there will probably be lots of other places worth looking at - it's just that I don't know them.

I haven't bothered listing the places that I know fill their places really early (quite a few have been mentioned by pigshavecurlytails).

Don't rule out the state schools - there's so much movement in London. And often the most sought-after/posh primaries have free spaces because people hold onto their kids' reception places until September even though they know they are opted for private. I remember seeing the names of three kids on pegs I knew were always going to go private (not a sought-after/posh school though!).

You won't be bottom of the pile, you'll be at the top if you're right next door to somewhere.

Thank you All. Really appreciate the time you took to answer. I am glad to see there is still hope!
@lotsofsighing - This means I can apply even if the deadline of the 15th Jan is expired I guess. Thank you for this!

I wouldn't rule out state school. You'd be a late applicant but there is a lot of movement on North London waiting lists. If you rented a house right close to a great school you'd be first on the waiting list if someone drops out before September (or afterwards if you're prepared to move schools or keep them at home for a bit - compulsory school age is not till the term after they turn 5 so you could use a nursery until then).

PS Montessori and Steiner nurseries cater for older children I think

I recommend trying Sarum Hall and maybe actually St anthonys in hampstead ...

Hampstead Hill? Its not my cup of tea, but they often have spaces and may suit if your daughter is older for her year.

Otherwise, I'd just get a copy of the good schools guide and phone all the schools in the north of London. Its going to be a case of who has spaces.

The other school that often has places is Abercorn which has a lot of international families.

abercorn just out of interest why not Hampstead Hill? We had a dc in there just for preschool before relocating ... might have to move back to London and was thinking at least we’d prob get back in there... any opinions you have very welcomed!

Far too pushy for me....I don't like small children sitting behind desks for long periods. But that's why we moved out of London.

2 friends got into Highgate from HH, so they get the results though.

Queens College Prep School (Portland Place, Marylebone) is also a wonderful school, they really work on maximising each child's confidence and potential. I don't know if they have spaces but worth a try

Queens College Prep might have some places left for Sept 2018 reception. It is an amazing school, with great teachers and excellent 11+ results. The only drawback is being in central London there is no outside space but that can easily be solved with after school activities. DD is in reception there and is with a great group of girls from diverse backgrounds. A true under-appreciated gem in the London prep school world (but I doubt it will stay that way given the great results they are getting)

I second the idea of moving to Kew/Richmond. You could start in one of the excellent local preps in Kew and try your luck getting into the waiting list for Queens CoE Primary.

Thank you All - I appreciate the time you all took to reply. It was all very helpful and I now have a much clearer idea about what to do. Thank you!

We are at Cavendish in Camden Town and love it. It's not in the Good Schools Guide so completely off the radar. It's a lovely, friendly school with an incredible music program and lots of other enrichment opportunities, a warm and extremely dedicated staff, and happy, confident, inquisitive girls- budding leaders, in my view. We're grateful to have found it 3 yrs ago when we were moving from NYC and had also missed all the deadlines everywhere. Good luck!

Out of interest, did you manage to find a school?