Mixed/boys schools in NW London - views sought

[hydriotaphia]

Hi all - I would love to hear people's experiences about good academic schools that cater for boys (either mixed or single sex) in North West London.

Our wish list would be Highgate, UCS and Habs Boys - ie academic all through schools. Am I missing any?

What about prep schools - I have heard good things about St Anthony's Boys and the Hall. We also will consider Ivy House (new version of St Anthony's girls which would be very convenient for us). Are there any others we should consider?

Is mixed better than single sex for a boy at this stage?

Any insights about schools in this area would be greatly appreciated. My son is only a baby but I don't want to miss the boat with 4+ applications (which I did with our older daughter).

firstly,you’ve got time. Lots if he is a baby
plenty prep school in NW London to chose from
essentially you want a good fit, his personality and abilities with school. You can’t know that yet until his personality emerges

where are you?
the obvious well known schools are Highgate, the Hall, Arnold House, Lyndhurst, UCS and Habs

do the open days, meet staff, get a feel for the schppls
on a practical level what works regard locality? The school run traffic can be dreadful
Who will do drop off pick up? His Parents or get help or a friend etc

You missed city London school, that’s another for your list. Entry at 7yo into old grammar https://cityjuniorschool.org.uk/admissions/7-admissions-process/ then progress into senior school
City have a nursery too

Lyndhurst no longer exists. There’s also Hereward House and Trevor Roberts. For The Hall, you need to register before he turns 1. You also need to register early for HH & TR (I can’t remember their cut off).

When I did the UCS pre-prep tour this year, they said they preferred being an all-boys school (they used to be co-Ed) because boys mature more slowly than girls and they can cater their education to focus on boys.

Thank you for the thoughts! We have registered him for the Hall and Trevor Roberts. I guess maybe boys only does make sense if boys mature differently to girls. I am a bit worried about toxic masculinity in an all boys school but I guess that's why you have to visit the schools. I do wish there were more academic mixed options but maybe I will be persuaded on visits that all male is better.

@hydriotaphia Unlike girls schools, unfortunately there aren’t many all-through boys schools in NW London. Some of the boys schools like UCS do allow girls in 6th form, but I totally get your concern.

City doesn’t have a nursery and isn’t an old grammar, and as you mentioned only starts at 7, no 4+ intake.

City boys isn’t a 4+ entry school I simply suggested it as a high performing school
Prep leads to selective school and I suggested city
There is no shortage of fee paying schools and that includes city
Op will of course find a fit for her son once his skills & personality are evident

Bit late to this - our experience has been that there is a lot of movement around and a first school is not necessarily the final one. I have seen DC go from less academic to very academic and the reverse. The more academic ones do shed kids who don't turn out to be ideal for this environment. It's not like they get pushed out but they just there is a natural attraction to through school and more relaxed options. That means that availability will turn up over time. However, I think you have the right ones listed in this thread. Good luck.

Thanks all for the insights. Very interesting point Whatevers.

@hydriotaphia

We have two boys at St. Anthony’s and have been very happy with the school and its educational approach. My wife and I only went to co-ed/mixed schools growing up, but having seen the befits of schools designed for boys, we are only looking at single sex for our DS.

Eldest is in Year 6 so we have up to the minute insight on the senior school process and placements. Happy to answer questions here or via PM.