Jewish-Friendly Prep Schools

[Bellaluna3456]

Hi! I’m moving to London from the US and am looking at secular girls prep schools for my daughters in central/west London. I have heard antisemitism in London can be more insidious than in the US and am a bit concerned about the schools as my family is Jewish. I already have a short list of schools that we're excited to explore, but was curious if folks have any insight on specific secular girls schools in central/west London they know to be friendly for Jewish families -- or conversely, know to be problematic. Thank you!

How old are your girls, OP?
Prep school (I'm American by the way) is a bit of a different animal over here.
So I'll assume you're looking at private schools.
I am a West Londoner and although I am not Jewish, my father was and I naturally identify with my Jewishness. I'll PM you some schools.
Two of the schools will be 'senior' private girls' schools in West London that will fit the bill.
One will be for younger (4-11) children (mixed school).

Highgate School is very Jewish friendly and has a lot of Jewish families - some very high profile. Although north London it’s accessible from central london. Hard to get prep places too. South Hampstead girls similar profile and even closer to central.

There's a Jewish Mumsnetters section under "Other Stuff" where you might get more specific advice. Threads there don't show up on active.

Despite the reputation, Habs is actually not that Jewish at all anymore in the junior school. More Asians.

Look at NLCS.

Thanks all! NCLS is super outside the city, right? Wouldn't love for a 4 year old to go all the way there but good to keep in mind for senior school options. I did tour several of the schools mentioned above and the existence of Jewish families at the school was mentioned at most so that was positive! At one school, I won't mention which, the head conflated Hanukah with Rosh Hashanah but I won't hold it against them :) It seems any Jewish "exposure" at the prep schools is driven by Jewish parents as opposed to the schools - one mom told me she does a Hanukah day at her sons school each year and the school is happy to humor her.

Also getting less Jewish and predominately Asian now in the junior school

The law in England and Wales is that at state schools there has to be a 'daily act of worship'. The form this takes varies a great deal with some schools actually ignoring it.

Private schools don't have to follow the law but many do.

You might consider looking at the more diverse schools. Your girls might be the only Jewish children in the school but in a school that has a diverse intake and teachers it will be more a case of, "Oh that's cool, we have Muslim, Christian, Baha'i, atheist, Hindu but now we get to learn about another faith / culture"

Link to a random London primary.

www.hollyparkschool.co.uk/diversity/

One thing I would want to consider is if you would object to your children taking part in a daily act of worship with the school. Pre preps / preps vary a bit on this - our school doesn’t allow children to be withdrawn from communal worship.

Queen's College prep could be worth looking at. Both it and the senior school have good security too.

I would look at Highgate- lots of Jewish families and more accessible from central London than many of the other options. It’s a great school.

NLCS is located on out London. Many parents travel from far. I personally wouldn't do for for primary although technically its about 30 minutes by tube for me. The journey will depends on where you live. They do have daily coaches from different areas.

Unfortunately highgate becoming less Jewish in junior school although still a good amount of families in pre-prep
try channing for a girl
SHHS
or for a boy UCS

Channing v low numbers of Jewish girls. Friends daughter was one of 2 in her class in junior school and limited number in senior. Fees + anti Semitism is having an impact on main stream private schools and a bigger than ever move to Jewish state schools regardless of income

Also St Margaret’s in Hampstead, coach to Habs Girls in Elstree outside London, NLCS in Edgware.

Really
surprising re channing!
only one Jewish family in one of my kids classes in junior school at Highgate
none in the others class

not sure where everyone is going

Assuming you are actually Jewish, do you not care that you are putting the Jewish children attending these schools at risk?

It’s off the back of threads like this that known antisemites have published lists of schools with a high % of Jewish children. There can be no legitimate reason for doing that: the intent is clearly to incite violence against Jews.

Maybe think before resorting to sarcasm.

In fairness, the OP posted this thread well over a year ago - I expect that she has now found a school at this point.