Falkner boys vs Thomas’s battersea

[Ish9]

We have recently moved to the UK, and my son is currently in Year 3 at Knightsbridge School in London. We were happy with the school, but somehow all the boys are leaving the school. So I'm looking for the school which prepare my son for the 11+. I don't know, which school is better out of these two. Also if any suggestions for a good school nearby are welcome.

So there's two separate issues here. You are worried about turnover of students and you want a school that preps for the 11+. Each issue is independent of the other.

On the first issue, most Central London schools have around 10% of the students leave each year and are often replaced by x% each year. Some years see more variation than others. This is mostly due to the transient nature of people living here and the recent taxes on non-doms + VAT haven't helped school numbers either. If you're happy with the school then this itself is not reason enough to leave.

On the second issue, Knightsbridge school now goes up to Y11. Hence they have no reason to prep for the 11+ as they would expect/want all children to continue with them. If your child is quite academic and you are targeting more selective schools for secondary then it could be worth moving. There are a large number of preps in the area. Falkner Boys and Thomas' in both Battersea and Kensington as you've mentioned. There's also Hill House, Garden House and even Eaton House. Sussex House might also have occasional places available. Worth visiting these schools and also checking out the destination schools their students go to for secondary.

@eXistenZ thank you very much for the information; I really appreciate it. I am looking for a school that is more academically focused. Additionally, I want a school that can prepare my son for the 11+ exams to gain admission to schools like Westminster and St. Paul’s. I will also consider Sussex House. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. I really appreciate any help you can provide.

The secondary schools you aiming for, all parents tutor outside school either paid, family member, parents etc. So it is not the school that will get you there but on top of that you need to do more.
Check this website, londonpreprep.com, they cover prep schools and leavers destinations.
Good advice given to us is to aim for a range of schools not just super selective and different types of 11+ exams focus in case DC having a bad day.

@HawaiiWake we will definitely look for all good schools around for 11+. Just wanted more academic school for my son, which could help him in future assessments. I will also check the website you mentioned. Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated. 😊

If you are aiming for Westminster and St Paul's then you should look at schools that have a track record of sending children there. While it's true that a lot of children are tutored, being part of this environment can push a child to try harder than if they were the best student in a less academic school and start to think they don't need to try as hard.

Sussex House definitely fits the bill. Hill House also has a good track record with these schools. Might also be worth looking at a school like St Philip's.

@eXistenZ I agree with you. Thank you so much. I will try to call the schools you mentioned and hope they have vacancies that fit my son.