What are the biggest differences in curriculum that private primary schools offer? (London)

[maybabymaybe]

Hi, would really appreciate some views from those of you with children at London private schools on what you consider the real benefits of the schools and the education they offer. For background, our 6 year old is currently at a really good state school but I’ve been upset to see how little sport, art, music etc there is or really any scope for creativity and such a narrow focus on maths and English in what seems a very limited, prescribed way. However our child is currently happy at school with his friends and we enjoy the school community, so I’m very torn about potentially upsetting things. He’s very bright and I know that if not challenged and stimulated there’s the real chance of bad behaviour, which is one serious reason for looking at other options. I’m finding it hard to weigh up pros and cons and would be so grateful if those with experience could share! Many thanks in advance...

This is one of the reasons why I moved my son out of state primary (other reasons to do with SEN ignored in 2 schools, large classes etc).

We are now out of London but what I did when I went to look at private schools (all of which will be different) was to ask to look at the timetable for each year group so you can see how often they are doing art, sport, music etc, also ask if they have specialist teachers for these subjects (they usually do). The other main aspects to look at is whether the school is selective, how big (there are pros and cons to both big and small schools) , extra curricular, wrap around care and of course price! There are big differences in all those things and some will be more important to you than others. Don't underestimate how much of a bind having a child in a school some distance away is either. Its not just getting them there and back but also things like parents evenings and so on that you need to attend outside of school hours.

Not London but our son (preprep) will do a physical activity of some kind on a daily basis whether it is general sports, a specialist taught sport or Forrest school. They do arty type things every day and go to the music room for their music lessons with the option of one on one tuition from reception (although school doesn’t reccomend starting until year 1). They have an abundance of resources, stuff that I didn’t even know existed before he started. They use a specialist reading system which is working really well. My son surprised me the other day by reading a sign (we didn’t teach him to read before he went to school and it’s only been half a term). They have a crèche facility which is very useful. Older child can board if necessary. They take part in church services at the local church which is nice. There’s just a lot going on basically. I guess they just gave a lot of resources which they use wisely on employing very dedicated and experienced teachers and giving them the flexibility to design their own curriculum and spend time heir own budget. When looking for a school you should be poking for a school with ample resources which are largely controlled by teachers as opposed to administrative staff.

It is hard to generalise. Loads of parents are perfectly happy with London state primaries. We are outer London and used private preps (and secondaries) and it worked fine - my youngest two left last year.

In the prep schoo lbit they had sport of some kind almost every day. Good classical music (which was vital for us - things like choir tours, boy trebles, singing lin Latin in Cathedrals kind of stuff; obviously totally unimportant for most people of course).

My sons worked for common entrance and that has a fair bit of geography, history in it as I am sure state primaries do too. They did latin (not that they kept it up) and that kind of thing. My youngest sons did French from age 5 although I think had they started aged 11 they would have done just as well at GCSE French. Swimming. School plays but I am sure lots of state primaries have these kinds of things.

I tried to find you a timetable online but didn't on a quick search find one. My daughter's old school- NLCS juniors has a bit of information the website www.nlcs.org.uk/junior-school/life-in-the-junior-school.

However these schools choose you not vice versa and most children who apply to go there don't get in.

The video on this link says a bit about what they do in the junior school www.nlcs.org.uk/junior-school/welcome-from-the-head

i have family members who have chosen a london private.
unique to their situation (the child is unlikely to ever have financial concerns) their primary interest was a happy childhood with an international flavor and a schedule that would allow for frequent travel abroad. both parents are well educated and there is no doubt that should the child choose to take further education numerous options will be available. co-curriculars were also important (ballet,swimming and a second language).

The private schools I know teach all the basics in the same way as the state schools do. Many have a longer school day and that allows greater flexibility with the timetable. However when you get the children put in sets with a scholarship stream you will notice the work really ramps up. You are going to find a lot of prep and the state option will seem gentle! Be careful what you wish for. Yes, there is more music, art, sport and drama but it will take time out of the day to do it and children will also be taught history, geography, science and technology, MFL and possibly Latin. There should also be lots of clubs. The days can be long so choose what means most to you. Lots of sport and music can be done outside of school.

Classes of 15 - 20

Sport every day and fixtures with other prep schools every week or two

Loads of facilities and equipment

Lots of music provision - choir, bands, teachers willing to do extra practice with them.

Academically; huge emphasis on the core skills: Maths taught thoroughly, times tables tests every week, making sure that they understand concepts before moving on.

Emphasis on handwriting and presentation, all spelling mistakes identified and had to be corrected, really good understanding of grammar, comprehension and different writing skills.

French from year 2 but to be honest, they didn't learn enough in one lesson a week to be at any great advantage over children who start at year 7.

Really good drama and excellent quality productions. I would say that there was probably excellent music provision but it passed my totally talent free child by the wayside

Good proper sport, not every day but really competitive and lots of matches. Great for my child who is very sporty, a total bind for the kids who weren't.

Good IT provision, good art and crafts etc.

I would say that 90% of what they did was regular national curriculum work including bringing home almost identical work for Geography, History and much of the same english work as my eldest in state primary had done. The difference was that the levels of expectation were higher and they spent a lot more time correcting work and instilling the core skills.

Communication was excellent, everything was well planned and efficient. You contacted the teacher, they got back to you, letters came in advance for matches, outings etc. Nothing was haphazard and left until the last minute.

Whilst behaviour was overall very good and they clamped down on it fiercely, they were still primary school children and there was still the usual behaviour that you get everwhere, the children certainly weren't sitting like perfect little angels smiling at the teacher which is the impression that MN gives of any private school. We had issues with messing about and being silly early on in school and by year 5 & 6 the same issues you'd get anywhere else with issues with the girls being mean to each other and social media starting to play a (negative) role.

This was a class of 22 and by year 6 they were starting to have enough of one another. A lovely cosy class of 12/14 in reception can be stifling and oppressive by year 4/5 especially if the school is co-ed. Don't underestimate the importance of having enough children in the class for a range of friendship groups. Personally, I wouldn't be happy with less than 20 in a class.

My DD went to a girls’ prep school with 18 x 3 classes. They sent girls to some of the best senior schools and lots of scholarships gained in music, sport, art and academic. So over 50 in a year group. Plenty of friends. That sort of school is worth it!

My local “prep” had 4 in year 6 one year. Less than 10 quite often. This is awful. It’s cheap but the local primaries were way better! The destinations were the same post 11 so what was the point of paying? Small classes, yes, but few went to the grammar schools so hardly glittering academics. Schools like this end up as havens for children with parents who think cannot manage anywhere bigger and need to be protected. It’s a truncated education in my view. They just associate with a tiny number of children like them. Secondary school is then a massive shock!

What other people haven't mentioned here is the science provision - at ds' prep school there were proper science labs so there was a much deeper dive into the science curriculum - equivalent to year 7/8. They obviously have specialized teachers and move classrooms for every subject from around Year 3 as well.

Music and sport also had much more focus with chamber choirs and orchestra etc, wide type of sport played : rugby, football, hockey, tennis, squash, fencing, golf, basketball etc etc

Proper wrap around care on demand so you didn't have to book every evening or have set times etc and the ability to take them out if you needed for holidays.

The flip side of this is that the SEN provision was poor and the boys were allowed to behave in an old school 'boys will be boys' way which wasn't really for me.

May independence too? They certainly found children coming in at 7 rather than at 5 found things the other did - like getting yourself to the right place, having your correct kit, needed to be taught to those joining the school at 7.

Yes forgot to mention very good wrap around care.
And my son is in a class of 15 but 3 classes in the year and they get moved round every 2 years so plenty of scope for friends.
There’s a tiny prep down the road with combined year groups of about 10 and that IMO is not worth paying for.