BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL LONDON (2019) for 4+

[Runa2014]

4+ PRIVATE SCHOOL LONDON (2019). Could you please kindly share your experience and knowledge about the following schools. Aslo, given the information - which school would you suggest and why?

Prep Schools: Newton Prep, Glendower, Finton House, Fulham Prep

Allthrough Schools: Jags, Alleyns, NLCS, Putney High.

We are looking for a school for our daughter to start this year (4+). She is soft spoke by nature, curious, emotionally very intelligent, mature and kind of a cre taker amongst her friends, beginning to read cvc word and write ( keeping ascending/descending alphabets in mind). She is also very musical - learning the piano and the violin ( can sit through a 45 mins lesson).

The things we are considering are the advantages/ disadvantages of
Co-ed vs single gender school
Prep vs all through schools
Highly Academics vs all round school

We would like to hear your point of view.
Decision time is in 10 day. We will relocate once we finalise her school so geography is not into consideration at the moment.

Have you been to visit all of these schools? What did you think about them? Did you think they would be a good fit for your child? I think you are casting your net rather widely when really you need to have your own view about a couple of schools where your daughter could be happy then take some advice to help you make a final decision. There honestly is no such thing as the “best private school in London”, only the best school for your child and your family.

There isn’t such thing as ‘the best’ school. And it’s not possible to judge at 4, which one would work for all her school years.
Plus - it’s not an academic discussion - you live in some part of London, and mqny of these schools have already held assessments for this year’s intake. Or are in the process.
So - which schools do you have offers for?
Because that would at least narrow it down.

We have offers from all preps.

All through school results are due next week.

We are very aware of our preferences. But would like your view about what you know or have heard about the schools.

What do you think about the discussion on single gender and co ed school, prep vs all through schools.

Each child is different - is given. But the private sschools can be evaluated and compared to an extent. So hence the question

We have visited the schools more than a couple of times. But information gathered during the visits and getting the 'feel' is just the begining of the process. Our DD is what she is at 4. Going by the gut feeling of which school might fit her is also - as I said- a part of the selection process.

Any information shared in the posts about the schools will also be helpful for us to narrow down our chooces to 1

I wouldn't stick your flagpole into a 13 year commitment just because you like the current head and early years/ks1. Schools change, children change. Go for the school that feels very her right now. There is more to the place than the lessons. What are the trips. What do they do at break which clubs are on offer. What is the gender mix in tbe co-ed schools.
Can she get to playdates

Of your preps I'd say Glendower is in a league above the others you mentioned academically but this is based only on London friends' experiences. It's also obviously single sex and I'm assuming from your other 3 that you're SW London based? Slightly longer commute to Glendower which might involve the district line?! Friend had 3 girls go through who loved it and all went on to Latymer Upper. Purely anecdotal from me though sorry.

Of all of those quite clearly NLCS is top, followed by Putney High / Alleyn's / JAGS (all three excellent). NLCS hardest to get into.
Of the preps, Glendower followed by Newton Prep.
But you'd be crazy to choose Glendower over NLCS. So NLCS is the obvious choice if the location is okay for you. Putney High and Alleyn's are fantastic, too, can't go wrong with any of those.

NLCS if you want single sex, Alleyns if you don't. Single sex versus co-ed is an entirely personal decision. I would also look at the areas and decide where you'd rather live as a family, they're all fab schools so choose a place you really love and will work best for commutes etc.

Not in London but as a general rule we found preps were better when we were looking (presumably because the all through schools were not under any pressure re 13+). Re co-ed v single sex I can only speak from experience. At home rep I don’t think it matters but with older children single sex is better. Puberty is a bit easier when your peers are going through exactly the same things. The attitudes towards sex and relationships (again in my experience) tend to be healthier and more age appropriate in girls schools.

of the list, I would pick one from NLCS, Putney and JAGS depending on which location (north, southwest, east) is most convienient to your work commute.

Totally depends where you live

Elizabethtailor 😚

Now dont you patronize friend!

But ofcourse depends on where you live, what suits your kid, and you...and your gut feel..etc etc etc.

My question is.... very very specific. Considering London as a whole....( not considering factors like location of residence, distance from work, friends etc)

Surely you are capable of knowing your daughter well enough to know where she will be happy and thrive that is what's going to push her to the top of her ability.
Which class room do you picture your child in with her hand up. Which playground do you think she will like best.
You are lucky that you have so much choice down narrow it down by trying to get MN to choose for you

Where are you based? Trekking across London with a 4 year old isn't good for anyone.

May be it was not clear in my post.

We are looking to relocate...so distance is not a matter here. Travel to work too is not a problem as we both have our own businesses

Incywincy...
Looks like you were in a haste to read my post. We all know whats best for our kids. The questionI ask is

1. your experience of any of the above schools (if you have any)
2. your experience/ view of single sex vs co ed
3. your view of prep - vs all through

Please do not be obliged to post responses to any and every post at MN if tou do not have anything substantial to contribute.

Patronising motherhood statements do not help. We all can give general advice. I myself can sit down and respond to a hundred of posts at MN just this instance....just like any wise lady... talking abt work life raising kids in general....I hope you get what I am getting at!

Give up @babysharkah - more of these nuts threads this year than ever before - families looking to relocate all over the city for “THE BEST” school for one child who is pushed and pushed. And people who don’t like the craziness of this approach being pointed out.

Magicaljelly.....why such judgement without knowing anything about the real situation.very distasteful!

We live in the north of England. Our bussiness have taken pace in London so we are relocating to London. Hence the question.

Why do people have such prejudice and are so offensively rude.

Really...didnt you have anything else to do in your life at this hr in the evening that you are pulling down a stanger on MN. Truely Sad!

OP based on your other threads you do not have offers from all the other schools.
just like everyone else why don't you sit and wait till the offers are made, it might narrow down your choices.

Budgetneeded.....

We wanted to learn more about the schools etc without having the 'sour grape' situation.

Also, we jave offers from all schools except 1. NLCS results are due tomorrow.

Yes, as I said in my OP. She is what she is.

I take it this is an only child?

Nope but decendents of and surrounded by scientists, doctors, an astronaut, global musician in the close family. So some things are genetical wired I guess!

then surely your extended family members can give you insight into what type of environment helped them thrive or key features they would have preferred.
close proximity to the school for walking, class mates that live nearby for play dates, more relaxed atmosphere in the early years, smaller class size or even bigger class size so they are less of an outlier.
maybe even green grass to help with the thought process and relaxation.
each of the schools mentioned are highly sought after but many of the students like your child with a supportive family would do fine anywhere.
at this stage really it's all about your personal preference.

An astronaut AND a global musician! Lucky girl.

And they say central London is full of tiger parents....
You put your 3yo though 5 or more assessments...
And you visited 8 schools, more then a few times?

All I can say is 🤷🏻‍♀️. Why. I am not sure this is the best way to go about it.

Anyway. Given your list - i’d take Glendower. Or NLCS. Depending if you as a family prefer a more suburbian or urban style.

It is true that at 4 it’s too early to known if an all through school will fit her as she grows up - but - she can alway move at 11 if you don’t think it’s the best fit.

In fact - there is a degree of movement in most schools after people start reception and after a few years. Kids change, parents learn what matters to them, what works for the kid, etc.
None of these choices are made in stone and can be adjusted.

Glendower is getting a new HM next year - so it makes a choice a little harder. But at the same time - these changes of HM’s happen regularly and school’s reputations stay largely unchanged.
(Same for senior schools too - a good few top girls ones have recent new HMs)