Truly special private schools in London?

[Vinegargirl0]

My son isn’t overly happy at school. Not sad either, just not loving it. He has asked if he can only go part time - or not at all. There are no problems and it’s actually a nice state school. He doesn’t cry or make a fuss about. But he mentions most days that he wishes he didn’t have to go. And… you only get one childhood so I’m looking for alternatives.

Can anyone suggest any truly lovely private schools? Really happy places where kids WANT to go? We could move anywhere within London for it.

Not chaotic or a hot house either. Just a happy, friendly school - like lots of private nurseries are! (In fact my son as asked if he can just go back to his lovely nursery! He’s year 2 and still remembers that it was better.)

I also keep thinking maybe we should quit London if we can’t find the right balance here. So please do suggest any in the uk if you can’t think of one in London! DH and are are wfh-ers. (I even keep fantasising about moving abroad!)

For secondary - Mount House in Enfield

Three half days of playing whatever you like is going to be different to five days a week.

If this is already his second school I think you need to find out what the actual issue is.

Is this an issue with the school? Is it an issue with state v private? When you say special are you looking for an alternative type school like a Steiner school or just a school your son will attend full time without being sad?
My year 2 DC loves school, but this year when we walk past her old pre-school she says she'd still like to go there (even though she was really happy leaving to go to her schools nursery and then onto reception). Her school is incredibly nurturing and supportive (they even have a part time councillor as some children do need extra emotional support). It is a very happy school. But, Year 2 is tough.

My DC morned the loss of the 'carpet', which they all sat on in nursery/reception/Year 1 and is now only at a desk. Nursery and reception are all play, Yr 1 and Yr2 are preparation for KS2. It will be the same wherever he goes to school.

What I discuss with my daughter is how 'nursery is for babies' and 'carpets are for little children' and how she is a 'big girl now'. My DC loves being a big girl so this always helps. Maybe your son just doesn't want to grow up - there is one child in my DCs class who said just that to her. They didn't want to get big, didn't want to sit at a desk, didn't want to do homework and wanted to just play. I don't blame her, or your son, to be honest. But, no school, no matter how nurturing, is going to let Year 2+ children just play - even schools you pay for - schools are first and foremost a place of learning.

So unless you are happy to find a school that will allow you to only do mornings (according to one newspaper article last week they do exist) or home school yourself you may need to sit down with him (or find someone who can) to explain things will change every year and it will get harder sometimes but it also means he will know more and be able to do more.

Just to note, both of mine found Yr 2 tough. It is often said that transition between reception and YR1 is hardest but both of mine found move into YR2 harder. It’s the transition into proper work. My DD complains she doesn’t want to go sometimes and asks why it can’t be like reception or nursery. However, to be fair, she does come out happy generally. I don’t mean to diminish yours or your son’s feelings - just pointing out that YR2 can sometimes be a bit tough for them.

Agree with above. School is school, it's not going to feel like nursery - if it does, it won't do him any long-term favors.

I'd focus on spending some of my money on some fun holidays and days-out, and save the rest for things like long-term investments, a housing deposit for him and my own pension and so on. Unless you really and truly have money to burn, it's a bit mad to spend XXK a year because "well, he enjoyed playing at nursery so much."

Can I ask what you decided to do OP? Same dilemma here…

It sounds like he's fine. Why change?

Part of growing up is bringing a sense of who you are through exactly that reality - nothing special.

Maybe a Waldorf school if you find one you like.