Prep school help - Islington

[metellaestinatrio]

I need your help please, wise Mumsnetters. We live in Highbury. DS1 is 3 and due to start school in September 2020. We have always intended him to go to a state primary and have identified and visited our preferred options. However, I am now panicking that he might not get into any of them (choices 1 and 2 are both one form intake schools so there is always a risk that a high number of siblings will significantly restrict the number of places available to non-siblings; based on past admissions data we would not always have been in catchment for choice 3) and considering applying for prep schools as a back up.

I know, I know. We should have thought of this four years ago when he was conceived and put his name down for these schools before even buying him a pram - but sadly we didn’t know that at the time! I have spent hours looking at school websites and the Good Schools Guide and am feeling slightly overwhelmed. So I would be hugely grateful for any suggestions of prep schools within reach of Highbury (I understand lots of people travel to Hampstead and we could manage this if needed) who won’t laugh us out of the door if we try to apply now for 4+ entry in September 2020 - either schools where registration is only required a year in advance or those which generally tend to have ad hoc places at this entry point.

In case relevant, we also have a one year old DS2 who ideally would go to the same school as his brother, wherever that may be.

Thanks so much in advance!

have a look at the gower school in Barnsbury (so an 11 minute drive from highbury). if you can't get a place there, personally i would have a look at angels preprep which goes up to age 5 (you can see the mid term plan here) and then enter her at 5+ for either the state or private schools x

I have no idea on prep schools but there is a lot of movement in the state Islington primaries. People will take a place then move often before school starts or during reception. So you may not get an offer at your top choice on offer day but by June you may well have a place.

In Highbury you have some fantastic state primaries - to be honest, I'm not sure if there's one I'd be unhappy with as a parent. Are you going to view all of the local schools?

Hi OP

From Highbury, you could go to:

SPCS (but you may have missed the cut off - they only assess the first 70 on the list - might be worth giving them a ring all the same);
Charterhouse Square (this is a ballot - can’t remember when the names are picked out the hat)
Dallington

The above schools can be got to on the 4 or 56 bus.

The Lyceum is moving to new premises. Might be worth checking out - get the 43 bus.

Of the Hampstead schools, it might be worth checking out St Anthony’s (get the train to Finchley Road and Frognall). I know they’ve got more popular but it was a really nice school.

I’m sure you’ll know this but the primary schools offers come out in mid April - so after the Easter holidays start. Therefore, if you intend to go with the state place, there is a good chance you’ll lose your deposit on the prep school place plus be liable for a term’s fees.

What about Rosemary Works? It’s in De Beauvoir / Shoreditch Park, but doable for you. I think it tends to be “full” until the April just before school starts and all those who got their preferred state school place drop off the Rosemary Works list.

There’s always the Gatehouse near Victoria Park, too. I’m sure, like the above school, dramatic waiting list movement happens when state primary places are allocated.

(And you can always stay on the waiting list for your preferred state primary if you don’t get it. There’s always a LOT of movement in london schools.)

Therefore, if you intend to go with the state place, there is a good chance you’ll lose your deposit on the prep school place plus be liable for a term’s fees.

Ahh I didn't know this. Would wager that Rosemary Works won’t make you liable for a term’s fees as I know a couple who didn’t take their place when they got into their preferred state school... (you will lose your waitlist deposit which is maybe £100-£200 though).

I second The Gower School. Children’s House is also worth a look.

I hear better things locally about The Children’s House than The Gower. Neighbours also very happy with St Anthony’s.

Thanks very much for all the suggestions so far and reassurance about movement in state primary waiting lists. There are some here that I haven’t even looked at so this is super helpful.

@PencereTencere yes we have looked/are looking at all the state options. I agree we are incredibly lucky to have lots of good schools nearby but there are some my son wouldn’t get into due to tiny catchments / not being Catholic. I am probably worrying too much but we don’t have a “dead cert” school that we would be happy with and that’s why I am (somewhat belatedly) looking into preps.

It’s difficult in Highbury because there are several good and sought-after state primaries but lots of locals can’t get into them. Highbury Quadrant tends to be undersubscribed and Newington Green either undersubscribed or takes from a large area even if oversubscribed. Neither has traditionally been regarded as highly desirable, but schools change and no doubt you will make your own judgment. Actually I have heard good things about leadership recently at NG, but that’s just local anecdote.

The only problem with The Children’s House is that it only goes to 7 so you would need to find somewhere else then. I don’t know all that much about Rosemary Works, apart from that it’s by the canal - yes this would also be worth checking out.

There is quite a long thread that’s been going on for a while about the Gower school - however I know of quite a few people who have been very happy with it.