Expat friendly independent school

[Gracesunny]

Hi all, we are a family from Amsterdam and will relocate to London in 2022. DS is going to start school in reception and he doesn’t speak English. I was looking in Hampstead area and there are a few independent schools such as Devonshire House, NBH, St Mary Montessori, Southbank international ect. Any expat parents who have none English speaking children joining (age 4) and can share hour experience ? For example I already see the Good school guide review of NBH saying parent says kids better speak good English when joining because their support for none English speakers are not very strong so that concerns me. Overall I’m looking for an expat friendly school, with more diversity and support for none English speaking kids and preferably with speech therapy (my son has speech theory in Amsterdam due to speech delay). Any firsthand experience would be really appreciate!

Are you set on independent schools? You are looking at schools in a competitive area of London. (Disclaimer I don't know the schools individually). I'm an SLT in London and have had experience of parents paying for speech therapy they could have received for free (to them) in the state school. Of course that depends on your finances as to whether that matters. Hopefully others will come along to share their thoughts on the individual schools mentioned to help you decide.

I’ve heard state school can have 35+ students in one class. DS is a sensitive/shy boy and without speaking English I think he would be better off in a smaller classroom with more individual attention. So that’s why looking at independent school for now.

All state schools are capped at 30 per class at entry. Lots of city schools have support for children who don't speak English on entry. They encounter this all the time.

Does anyone here have by any chance the piano accompaniment sheet music for Singing in the Rain ABRSM grade 3 violin? We need it urgently for today but it looks like it never came with the kit.