New York - > London schools question

[semideponent]

I'm asking for central London school recommendations for an 8/9 yo moving to the UK. By central I mean W1, W2, SW1.

I'm asking on behalf of a friend of mine, recently widowed and father to an 8yo DS. Long term it makes sense to move to London, but concern for the DS is the main thing, as is avoiding boarding (for now) and Dad being in close proximity to school. DS is bright, creative, engaging, above average in math, and like most kids needs lots of sports and movement. School communicating well with home is really important.

I'd love to hear from people who can recommend a good feeder school for public or primary - secondary pathway where DS has a chance of meeting peers/making friends at the outset and not avoiding a complete wipe out if, let's say, he went to a secondary no one else at his new prep/primary is going to.

Thanks all for any recommendations. Posted Xmas Eve as they're with us, but welcoming and will read all contributions when people spot it on the board over time.

MERRY Xmas!!!

Would your friend consider school transport to get to school from central London?

If the son is coming from the US, then ACS Cobham is an international school and does the IB/AP options. My kids have been really happy there. We live locally but many of their friends get the school transport into Cobham from Kensington, Clapham, Wimbledon etc.

Good luck!

If the DS is in an American school at the moment, it would probably be best to go to the American school.

Have a look at St Paul’s Juniors, and Westminster. Not quite as central as you are asking for, but easy to get to. Both have the option of progressing through to age 18, which would be worth considering at this age, instead of adding upheaval again in a couple of year.

Hill House International
Hill House School | Hill House School
this one in london

I’d say Hill House

Thomas’s?

It might be better to commute in like many people do in the UK. For the whole child with a great maths department and one big move at 8 but then no moves to 18, St Christopher School in Letchworth, Hertfordshire is a great choice. Buses and trains from North London if living in London is a must. It is a very nurturing school and has taken in a lot of children after international moves and where there are sensitive family situations.

Also should have said - the good schools guide have consultants. It’s really a very good website for looking at schools and if you have the budget have heard the consultants are excellent

Don’t advise them to commute out so important with a bereavement to build a local network with school at the centre & in easy striking distance. Highgate & Dulwich are the only ones I know of but probably Zone 2/3 so maybe too far out.

This is an important choice. As a pp suggested, I’d hire an education consultant. https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/education-consultants

Look at Brighton College Prep Kensington. Outside your suggested postcodes but not by very much. Outside space looks good for a central London Prep. We live in Brighton so no direct experience of it, but were v happy with the senior school.

Not sure if your friend is still looking but another vote for Hill House … we were in a similar situation 2 years ago (moved from New York to London with 8/9 yr old looking for feeder into Central London secondary schools). Will probably need to supplement with tutoring to familiarise with UK curriculum quickly for 11+ exams. Good luck

For logistical reasons we didn’t go to Hill House in the end but one of the things that really impressed me was that they have exclusive access to Duke of York’s Square which has to be one of the biggest prep school open spaces in central London. Most other London preps have a tiny outdoor space and have to bus kids out for sport.

Also the other good thing is that they are very low maintenance, parent wise, so great for single parents. There is zero expectation that parents will hovering around school every other day doing bake sales and PTA meetings.

St James’ Prep in Kensington.