Preparatory/Independent schools in North London

[Anca123456]

I am looking at non-selective independent schools in North London for my 3 year old daughter. She should start in September 2022. I am not British and I am still trying to understand the education system in the UK ... I feel overwhelmed by choices. My daughter is shy and highly sensitive, she doesn't do so well when there are lots of people around and she is not very friendly with strangers ... so selective school are probably out of question.
What 4+ independent schools do you recommend in North London? I would prefer one that has a secondary school attached so we don't have to move again in a couple of years.
Any advice for choosing a schools is highly welcome!

Make a list of the schools available.

For a start, cross out the ones which are boys only.

Where in north London do you live? You don't want to be commuting too far with a small child and lots of places (like Hampstead) are horrendous if you have to drive.

Many of the popular schools (like King Alfred's) you'll be too late to put her name down.

Most of the schools have some sort of assessment prior to entry, is she at pre-school at the moment? Some are very selective for example South Hampstead girls, north London Collegiate and Highgate though.

There are not that many that go through to secondary, and they tend to be larger schools, which may not be that good for your daughter if she's a bit shy. They change so much anyway, I wouldn't rule a school out just because it finishes at 11.

Interesting that Highgate have changed admissions from 3+ to 4+ recently...

There's too many to list, your best option is to search these forums, and look at the 2021 admissions threads OP.

You could start by narrowing down the search area, N London is a big place. You need to consider transport options as well as distance.
As others have said there are too many schools to list. Speaking to neighbours and other local parents should give you some names of schools that are easy to travel to from where you live.

@underneaththeash Location is not an issue at the moment as there are no good schools where we live and we have to move anyway.

Talking to local parents didn't helped ... they believe that schools here are good enough. And the ones I've talked to moved outside London as independent schools there have better facilities and there is less competition.

Girls non selective preps in the area are

St Marys ,
Sarum Hall
The village
St Anthonys girls
The Cavendish

Then there's mixed such as

devonshire house
Grimsdell, which is all through into Mill Hill school
Goodwyns in Mill hill

All through good option is St Margarets in Hampstead

OP - the PP has give you some great suggestions.

Could you move out? It is much less competitive outside London - we moved out too and they are much more rounded. My daughter goes to a lovely school in 30 acres - forest school, massive art department, inclusive sports, non-selective; but gets similar GCSE grades to the very selective state grammar school nearby.

@afewtoomanychoices Thank you very much! I am going to check them out.

@underneaththeash We were hoping to find a school in London to avoid a long commute to work. My husband has to commute to the City of London and I want to return to work as soon as possible.

@afewtoomanychoices

Girls non selective preps in the area are

St Marys ,
Sarum Hall
The village
St Anthonys girls
The Cavendish

Then there's mixed such as

devonshire house
Grimsdell, which is all through into Mill Hill school
Goodwyns in Mill hill

All through good option is St Margarets in Hampstead

Great list.

Add to this Saint Christina’s, small prep that was girls and is now co-ed. Non selective and explicitly not a hothouse but gets girls into great secondaries without the pressure. It’s Catholic but lots of children in my DD’s year from other religions or none and it’s no big deal.

I would highly recommend Palmers Green High School in N21. They have a nursery and go through to 16. Nearby Winchmore Hill Station goes straight into the city. My DD is there and is doing well. Very happy. They have a virtual open day on their website.

Contrary to what someone has advised above, you definitely aren’t too late to put your DD’s name down for entry in Sept 2022. We applied to KAS in October 2020 and had an offer by December, for entry to reception in Sept 2021. Had similar experiences with a few other schools too so definitely worth applying anywhere you’re interested in.

@afewtoomanychoices May I ask how to do feel about Hampstead Hill School and Heathside?

PP’s suggestion of St Margaret’s, Hampstead is a good one - small and nurturing, determined to bring the best out of the girls without hothousing them, and would take her through to 16. They need a change by then anyway. It is girls-only.

@LarkDescending I am considering St Margaret's, I've booked a tour in June. I am a bit reluctant as it's a very small school. Would you say that it prepares girls for the 11+?

[quote Anca123456]@LarkDescending I am considering St Margaret's, I've booked a tour in June. I am a bit reluctant as it's a very small school. Would you say that it prepares girls for the 11+?[/quote]
And yet in your first post you say your dd "doesn't do so well when there are lots of people around". You can't have it both ways.

All through schools do not prepare for the 11plus as they want their children to remain in the school for the duration.

If putting DD in for the 11+ to go elsewhere is your target then I don’t think St Margaret’s would make sense for you. Their aim is to take girls through to GCSE. You’d need a prep school, which it is not.

When you said you wanted “a secondary school attached” I inferred, perhaps wrongly, that you didn’t want DD to have to take the 11+.

@KaptainKaveman She is only 3 years old ... who knows how she will be at 4, I can only assume and hope she will change a lot as she grows up. A small school will work well in the beginning, as she will need a lot of care and attention being little, but I am not sure how it will be long term. I've talked to a few parents who's children were the same and by the time they were 11 they've changed so so much.

@LarkDescending Not necessary, I've been reading that some schools are feeder schools for senior schools but I am still learning how the system works. It would be great to have a great secondary school in the area.

[quote Anca123456]@KaptainKaveman She is only 3 years old ... who knows how she will be at 4, I can only assume and hope she will change a lot as she grows up. A small school will work well in the beginning, as she will need a lot of care and attention being little, but I am not sure how it will be long term. I've talked to a few parents who's children were the same and by the time they were 11 they've changed so so much.

@LarkDescending Not necessary, I've been reading that some schools are feeder schools for senior schools but I am still learning how the system works. It would be great to have a great secondary school in the area.[/quote]
A school that ends at 11 will prepare for the 11+. A school that goes on to 16 or 18 won't.

You will need to rethink your priorities and post again, I think. Because most people will only read your initial post and respond. Your comments indicate that you want opposite of what you posted. It is confusing and overwhelming, so I completely understand. But once you have your needs jotted down, people will be able to help better.

Do you want a small school or a big school?
Do you want a secondary school attached or do you want a school which prepares for 11+?

I would also add Dwight in Frien Barnet to the list of non selective schools. It is IB board and runs through secondary school.

Worth looking at Forest School in Walthamstow maybe? It's North East London but is meant to be very good for pastoral care.

Dear Knowledgeable Parents,

I'm looking for anyone who knows about St Anthony's School for Girls in Golders Green.
I'm particularly interested in the pastoral care and friendships between the girls there.
I am looking to join in Year 2 and Year 4

Many thanks for your advice.

Hi, anyone willing to share their views on st Anthony girls? Had a great impression but wondering why not more on demand. Thanks!!!