Hill House International School, Opinions please.

[hillygirl]

Are there any Mumsnetters with children at Hill House, or have had children there in the past. I'm considering it for my son. We live in Battersea so a bit of a journey. Any views please? I've done the tour, might go again, but so hard to judge. Would value parents opinions. Thanks

I live in South Kensington and know a few kids (including my neighbour's son) who go there. It has an excellent reputation for a good education at relatively reasonable fees for this area (other schools around here charge £1K to @2K per term more in other schools).

It is however a VERY large school and if your son is starting at Reception aged just 4 he may feel a little lost especially if he isn't overly outgoing.

Definitely a mixed, international crowd from the South Ken/Chelsea neighbourhood. If you want a traditional, English prep school this isn't for you. Have you considered Eaton House in Clapham - nearer you.

NOOOO!!! I don't want a traditional English Prep School!!

Thanks BIW I think I'll go look at it again. I didn't notice how many kids there were in Reception. They are all sepearte from the big kids in a small building on Flood Street so hopefully won't be too intimidating for the wee lad. Then they go on to another wee building in Milner until they're age 6 I think?
I am precisley after a school that isn't a trad English school which is why it appeals. i do worry about the journey each day though, and all that ferrying them around on mini buses.
They told me there are some families in Clapham and Battersea so I may try to get them to put me in touch with said families.
Butadream Movie star sounds exciting-you've got me guessing now! I wonder how old Dustin Hoffman's kids are- I've seen him ambling around Kensington! They're probably mid forties tho!

I don't know about in their 40's but someone who worked for us years ago nannied for Dustin Hoffman a long time before that, so I don't think it's his kids!

Yeah, he's about the only movie star I've ever spotted, so it was a wild guess...and a bit of name dropping!!

Good reason to avoid then

I knew someone whose DSs went there -- they were very happy but she said it was definitely a school for the confident and outgoing rather than those needing extra nurturing and reassurance.

Hmmm Matt that is slightly worrying...a four year old is going to need some nurturing and reassurance when he first starts school.
Cortina what's a good reason to avoid it?

I think you need to read the ofsted. There is one. Go back and look again and ask the school if they can put you in touch with any parents from your area.

I have read the Ofsted; There's a few worrying bits that I'm going to quiz them about when I go back

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erm I think you might have got all the opinions you're going to get!

erm says who?!

Thanks Stringerbell! Today is last day for applications for local state schools and my heart is pounding from the indecision! I'll apply for state school then decide on Hill HOuse after another visit and chat to them. Any other insider opinions most welcome!

My son is enrolled there as well for Sep 2010. I talked to several mums and we went to visit the school today. Would be glad to discuss further and call you if you can provide a contact number

Great to hear from you Sanush. Is your son also starting in Reception?
I'd love to speak to you; I don't know any mothers at Hill House, and I'd love to hear what you found out from speaking to the other Mums.
Rather than post my phone number here on a public forum would you CAT me (Click on "Contact Poster" after my name Hillygirl and you will be able to send me a private email). I tried to contact you by doing the same, but you're not set up to receive private emails from other Mumsnetters (you can set it up on your Registration page)
I'd be very grateful.

my dh's cousins went there and i remember them saying that it is a good first-in-the-chain-feeder school for Eton - they share similar philosophies apparently

Thanks Annabellpity I hate to have to think that far ahead to secondary school but I guess in London especially we need to.

Hilly my friend's ds is starting next year. I was surprised that it seems easy to get into ie unlike Dulwich schools there isn't a selection process. Obviously that can be a good thing. But they can't have 180 people applying for 18 spaces;..

And that it is relatively less expensive. Amazing for the area.

Anyway fwiw my friend is very nice. Also it is always good to keep your options open for as long as possible, so apply imo.

I haven't much info but am interested in it too as ds' prep school only goes up to 7.

Thanks Marsha (love the nickname BTW; Here's a story...); it's great that they don't have a selection procedure. DS is due to start this Sept 2010. I'm just trying to gather more opinions as I've applied for him without ever meeting another Mum from there and was just getting a little panicked that I'd done the right thing! (You know how it is, as a Mum, it's our job to worry and doubt ourselves it seems! ) Also it's kind of a trek from our house (Clapham) so DH is uncertain. What bit of London does your friend live in? Is her son starting this Sept or next?
I think I'm going to try to find other South Londoners starting this Sept so DS can maybe meet some of his future class mates. Then it won't be so dramatic/traumatic for him on the first day taking him over to Chelsea and leaving him in a room full of strangers!

Friend lives in Kensington area, but if you are ok with travel then you will fit in aswell as anyone else I think. She isn't a Brit and has chosen it because she feels the people are very nice and international.

She looked around, but her ds's name down then voila her son was in!

He is meant to start Sept 11 I think, but has been offered a place in Jan as is old for his year (just missed out on Sept 10).

Have you looked around yet? That would let you see quite a lot, I would like to aswell! But am next to Dulwich so very far away and you need to turn up before 9am or something.

If you go let me know what you think