Unexpected move to London - help with schools

[Greentrees101]

It looks like we might be moving back to London in July and I need to find schools for my children - boy going into Year 4 and girl going into Reception in September. We plan to move to Clapham/Dulwich but all depends on schools. I will start contacting schools next week to find out chances of getting places but wanted to get a view on whether this is a completely hopeless task!! We are looking at independent schools - we've lived abroad for a long time and I have no idea how to get them into a state school at this late stage. I'd be v grateful for any advice or reassurance that we might be lucky enough to get places!

You should be fine if you stick with independent Prep schools and not too fussy. There is a drop in the current Reception aged birth rate plus brexit/cost of fees and Prep schools in SW London aren't full at Reception stage. If you would consider Richmond/Twickenham/Esher you would be fine. You may want to choose a Prep that goes up to 13 so your ds doesn't need to move again in 2 years although secondary school exams are sat in year 6.

You need to look on the Local Authority website. It will list schools in the area and whether they are LA controlled or Academies (Manage their own funds). Some academies use the LA to manage their own admissions and some you deal with direct. Then when you know what schools there are call the LA/school to ask about places. In my town (not London) there are no free places at the best schools. You need to go on the waiting lists. - there are spaces at other schools. Remember though that the best school for your child isn't always the one with the strongest Ofsted.

Thanks Poppyred25 - any idea about entry into Year 4? It looks like we have missed the cut off date for applying to Dulwich College for year 4. Do you recommend any schools in particular which aren't renowned for long waiting lists? I'm looking through old threads at the moment to get ideas.

@Greentrees101 I'm not familiar with Clapham/Dulwich, use the good school guide and go for smaller Prep schools, there will be spaces but you must be flexible.

Are you committed to that particular area? Further out of London there tend to be more choice for good state and prep schoolsand still commutable to London (Eg Kent). Obviously depends if you want a city life.

Him assuming alleyns, Dulwich prep and DC will be full, what about haberdashers? Bit further out in Bromley for example there are quite a few prep schools, herne Hill school I assume will be full but give it ago.

The less competitive indie schools may have places and you could then transfer to the more competitive schools at the next point of entry applicable to your children. Alleyns, JAGs and Dulwich College are all in Dulwich and are some of the top indie schools in the country but the time to apply to those this year has passed.

The less competitive preps in Dulwich are Oakfield and Rosemead. You might have a chance for reception at Herne Hill School as well but the interviews are in the Spring and registration may have already closed- its a very good pre-prep that has a very strong record of getting children into Alleyns, JAGS, Dulwich College and Dulwich Prep London at 7.

You should actually be fine for a state school place for your older child and possibly your youngest. Two new primary schools opened in East Dulwich over the last 5 years and most schools now have a few spare spaces. My recommendations for state schools are Judith Kerr (spectacular results / small class sizes / bilingual education), Harris Primary East Dulwich (for your older child- it will be oversubscribed at reception) and Goodrich Primary (both of your children might have a shot there).

The state primaries in the area are very good and in some cases better than a middling indie prep so worth considering.

Thank you!! I feel much better informed and will get on the phone this morning as well as look through the Good School Guide. Does anyone have any suggestions for Clapham? I know of Park gate and Eton House and have read mixed reviews about both.

HaveNoSocks, it's a v good point about moving further out and we will consider it if we have no luck with schools. We are focusing on the area as we lived there many years ago and still have a few friends there. We are so excited to be moving back to the UK but I admit the idea is slightly daunting as most of our friends have left London and are scattered throughout the country and I'm a little worried about how difficult it might be to make new friends!

We’re in Clapham. Our boys are currently at Hill House in Chelsea/ Knightsbridge, it’s a super smooth commute on the bus door to door. There’s quite a few Hill House children in Clapham and we are so happy with the school.

Our eldest will be starting Dulwich College in the fall (as he goes into Y9) and that’s a pretty easy commute too, just a walk or bus to Brixton and then the train for 5 minutes.

We also considered Emanuel School as we have a few local friends who go there. It’s competitive in Y9 but I think not as much in the earlier years, maybe worth having a look?

I think Eton House is good too if you want to do that for a term or two and then apply to Dulwich for your boy?

That's really helpful LeFaye - thanks. I had not thought of Hill House. I've just looked on the website and it sounds really lovely. I imagine it is full for September but have emailed them on the off chance that they have a place. Thanks again!

Dulwich / East Dulwich both have a lot of parents with young children that are new to the area. The areas are very social. There are several clubs (cinema clubs, multiple book clubs, two running clubs, etc) You'll be fine!