Charterhouse Square in Clerkenwell - need help to make a decision!!

[mimster]

My daughter (aged 3.5 yrs) has been offered a place at Charterhouse Square out of the blue (someone has dropped out) and I need to make a decision pretty quickly. Problem is that I don't know anyone who goes and have no first hand experience of the school. She also has a place at William Tyndale which I was fairly comfortable with until this curve ball was thrown my way! I figured she would join the private school world at some point (probably 7+ stage), but hadn't really anticipated it would be this soon. That said - I can see that it might be good opportunity. If anyone can help by giving me any insight into the place, I would be really grateful.

Charterhouse used to be a real exam factory with uninspiring teaching, even had some bad inspections to that effect. It's been keeping a v. low profile since then, but is not one of the more desirable local private schools (Dallington/Lyceum are more creative and sought-after).

I'd go for Tyndale myself, I know loads of people who've had kids there and been v. happy (and it's improved since then). They do lots of art and music too. If it doesn't pan out, it is relatively easy to get places in private schools further up the system, contrary to what the schools might want you to believe. Depends a bit on where you're aiming for ultimately though.

If you're okay with an arty, creative, liberal middle-class urban vibe then go for Tyndale. If it really matters to you that your child is achieving at the highest possible academic level at all times, and your heart is set on one of the big-name pushy private secondaries, then you might sleep better if you go private.

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Thanks frogs that's really helpful. The message coming over from the school was 'get in now or don't get in ever' which I was about and glad to get confirmation, especially as they want a decision this week. Also as it's profile is low, there's not a lot of info out there, so was interested in knowing the general view. Am all for taking up opportunities but not into putting my child under unnecessary pressure.

Thanks frogs that's really helpful. The message coming over from the school was 'get in now or don't get in ever' which I was about and glad to get confirmation, especially as they want a decision this week. Also as it's profile is low, there's not a lot of info out there, so was interested in knowing the general view. Am all for taking up opportunities but not into putting my child under unnecessary pressure.

Check their ofsted report, though it is a few years old now. Honestly, if you have the option of a good islington state school (which WT is), there's no real reason to opt out at this stage). £3K a term is a lot to pay for cutting and sticking and bit of literacy and maths.

Agreed. I think the problem is that the message I am hearing is that it's really hard to get into private if you don't start out at the bottom - The Lyceum have 58 on waiting list for the 2010 entry for 3yrs + and this year's prep is closed with 20 on the list . I really don't want to sell my soul and like the thought of WT (local friends, nice school etc) but in the face of all of that I confess to having my uncertain moments! (thanks again)

I hope I will not be embarrassing her by saying that frogs knows her way round the education system in London like nobody's business and I for one would always take her advice!

Oh - re the message that you can't get in except at the bottom - NO! Reception (or pre-reception - wherever the initial intake is) is where the bulge is for popular schools - that's where you get the names down at birth bit. This being London, as time goes on people move and places comes up even at the MOST in-demand schools.

I speak from experience!

Arf at SSB! I only know all this stuff cos when dd1 was in primary I was friendly with people who had children in loads of different schools and liked nothing more than to bitch about their kids' schools. And when your own child is unhappy at school, as dd1 was then, you do tend to keep casting around to see where the grass might be greener.

So most of my info is a few years old now. But I can feel an obsession with North London secondary options for boys bubbling up nicely, reaching a pitch in October 2009...

frogs I shall be piggy-backing off your knowledge, and feeding your obsession with my own...

I know someone who had 3 girls at Charterhouse all until 7 and all then went to City of London girls. V academic and pushy is what I've heard.