The Lyceum School, London

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My daughter attends this school and I am incredibly impressed. Having been through the prep and private system myself in the UK (in top performing schools), when I embarked on the school search for her, I was looking for a school that would instil confidence, kindness and independence in my daughter, alongside nurturing and encouraging her natural abilities and interests. Alongside the core academic subjects, she enjoys music, dancing and sport, which the Lyceum encourage. We're both working professional parents and my experience is most others are too, so we have a lot in common and the children get together at weekends and in holidays. I think we've been lucky in finding the school when we have. It has just appointed a great new headmistress, is moving into new (fabulous) premises next door and the teaching staff are excellent. I was also very keen on Charterhouse, not so keen on Francis Holland and everywhere else I looked at (convenient for us) only took at Reception. i plan to send my daughter to City Girls or JAGs as do other patents I've spoken with. In my experience and opinion...a great foundation school!

At what age did your daughter start if you don't mind me asking ?

Do you know if it's very competitive to get into Lyceum? If so, any tips for getting in? Thanks x

I would like to agree with the lead message here and respond to some other messages on Mumsnet. The Lyceum has been through some massive changes over the last 5-10 years, which I have seen having had 3 children at the school in various year groups during that time. Historically there was certainly a focus on music/arts/ creativity and children's well being (any bad thing?!) over academic 'push' in all years (although children still went onto good secondaries). But the new headmistress and leadership team have turned that around so that the focus on the individual child and creativity is still there, but alongside the structure and academic focus that is needed to reach their potential and face the 11 plus exams. The strength of the Lyceum is that is manages academic excellence while creating confident and well rounded children.

I think in selecting a school parents need to recognise that not all children are 'academics', so a school can help them reach their potential and find their strengths (which may not be academic and so strong music, arts etc helps them explore other avenues) but cannot change the essence of your child. Yes, they could push and push on academics only but I would wonder then about the mental health of the child and whether they will be happy in a purely academic secondary school. There is also some responsibility at home for e.g reading, practicing timestables and encouraging your child to be a 'good learner'. Secondary schools put as much emphasis on school reports and how children perform in interviews, and the Lyceum children are always highlighted as excelling in this area with their quiet confidence and enthusiasm for life.

I have never been aware of 'streaming' for subjects at the Lyceum and there is certainly no differentiation between girls and boys - all children are given equal opportunities to excel and there is a new Gifted & talented programme and additional support for those who need it (to come into full force after lockdown).

If you want a school which pushes a child to breaking and to be something they are not just to get into a particular secondary school, then maybe the Lyceum is not for you. But if you want a warm, friendly and nurturing environment which provides creative but structured learning to enable your child to fulfil THEIR potential, then this is the place.

(just as an aside my children have gone to Channing and Highgate from the Lyceum and their leavers destinations are impressive and varied, and advice from the Lyceum very much tailored to the child in question, rather than putting round pegs into square holes)