relocating back to London

[londonrelocate]

Family of 3 relocating back to London - ages once we get back (Summer 2026) will be 11 (boy), 7 (girl) and 4 (boy). Flexible where we live - have been doing most research on North London around the Hampstead / High Gate area given daily commute into Liverpool Street. Easy commute from home to school is key.

Children all born abroad so largely new to the British school system although eldest has had exposure through a British international school. Just started prep for the 11+ but clearly far behind those with tutors since year 4.

Interested to get any additional perspectives on our current list (any we are missing?). We prefer a co-ed all the way through school but seem options are quite limited in that regard so we need to be flexible.

• Highgate School - borderline impossible to get into given lack of tutoring up to now?
• UCS - challenging to get into
• North Bridge House / Alleyn's - easier entry, especially given changes?
• King Alfred School - a lot of mixed reviews, will visit to check for ourselves
• Devonshire House Prep - doesnt seem too challenging to get into but unlikely to have a Year 7/8
• Heathside School Hampstead - only for our younger two
• Belmont / Mill Hill - how are kids commuting up there from Hampstead? Looks great but seems far

@londonrelocate exciting that you're moving back, but it will be difficult to get them all into the same school at the same time - just to help you with your expectations.
They seem to be at the exact ages for entry points in all through schools (4+/7+/11+), whether that is exactly the case you will know. They would have to be starting Reception, Y3, Y7 in 2026.
If the stars are all aligned (!) you will then be able to sit them for the assessments and hope they all get in! The chances are slim (no shade) for them to all pass their tests for the same school.
Your plan B will need to think about commuting them to their schools - Y3 and Y7 maybe able to use their school bus service if you are on one of the routes, but the youngest will have to be dropped off in person.
It sounds like its going to be a major task for you all! You're right to be thinking this far ahead, but the assessments will begin taking place from October for the various entry points and some closing dates are approaching! Your plan C might have to be registering at state schools so you have a back up. Do you know where you'll be living?

I would try and find a straight through school as pp said they are all entrance exam points and it might be easier to negotiate if you are presenting all three at one point.

thank you - yes a straight through school is preference. We would like to live in the Hampstead area - but finding a school will take priority over a home. If that area doesn't work out - we are considering going as far as St Albans

City is also an option - new(ish) prep is Co-ed and both schools are sort of in the same direction. Their commute could vaguely tally with yours. City boys q hard to get into but def not impossible if you start now.

belmont/MH - school bus and/or pretty simple on Northern Line and then school bus.

alleyn’s - jury’s out as the merger is still q new but would solve a lot of problems. If you had them all in one school, you could then work out 7+ and 11+ strategies for the younger two and pop the elder down for an occasional place at Highgate/UCS if they aren’t happy. Actually, same advice could apply for Belmont, depending on your gut feel when you visit.

@londonrelocate I see - that will put a spanner in my 'plan C idea' as you will need to have a fixed address if you are to apply to state schools.

I forgot to mention that you will have to return to the UK for the assessments and they may not all be able to be done on the same trip (just helping to make sure you've covered all bases). Most all through schools are selective in that they require an entry assessment. Some prep schools don't and will just allow you to register and may invite you in for a stay and play session.

Also, regarding North Bridge House - because they are now owned by Alleyn's, their assessment will be on par with the main Alleyn's assessment - just FYI.

Yes indeed - Plan C doesn't work unfortunately.

Have a look at Forest School in East London. It’s a through school and lovely. Bit of a trek from Hampstead (although there is a coach) but if you would consider somewhere more to the east you’d be winning for Liverpool Street commute.

St Albans isn’t a bad shout lots of options. You’ll be hard pushed to find a bad state school and I’d hesitate to go private there. Having said that St Albans boys is going fully coed from 11. The girls high school is all through girls. There are coaches to Habs & Aldenham and St Columbas is also co-ed all through. If you want a prep school Manor Lodge isn’t far and there are others although most people go state at least for primary

You could also have a look at St Paul's Cathedral School for the younger ones at least (and in fact they do go to 13 so it could be an option for your 11yo to buy some time while you figure out what is best for him academically if he doesn't get a place in your preferred senior schools right away). It will be pretty close to your work if you are at Liverpool Street, so you could all commute together. My office is very near LS and it takes me about 10 minutes to walk to the school to pick them up if I hustle. They have wrap around care 7.45am-6pm from Y1 (though I think in Reception it's only 8.30-5). It's full but I don't think it's super-hard to get into (everyone we knew 5 years ago who really wanted it got it, even if they were wait-listed first), and might give you a bit of breathing space while you research other options (and maybe as a back-up for your 11yo if you are trying for other schools as well).

Our two DC (one girl one boy) have both gone there for the last 4 years and we've been really happy with it. DD just left for senior school and DS is still there. It's got a lovely atmosphere, the kids get to use the Cathedral a lot and feel a real connection to it (even the non-choristers), and it really lets the kids play to their individuality - supporting those who need an extra stretch as well as those who need an extra hand.

Historically I think they have possibly been a bit casual about the "Prep" part of their job (i.e. great on science, music obviously, art, history, geography, drama, etc. but not so hot on 11+ preparations) but the new Head has been making a few changes that are improving that without turning it into a hot house. Having said that the kids in DD's year have gone on to some quite academic senior schools (including Highgate, South Hampstead, City, Westminster) - but I think probably all of their parents have supplemented school with some tutoring.

Separately: if you are thinking about private schools further out (e.g. Belmont/Mill Hill, Habs, NLCS, St Margaret's Bushey, Aldenham, Haileybury, or whatever) as options, it's worth looking at their bus routes before you commit to somewhere to live, as even quite a small shift in location can make a quite chunky difference to commuting times for them.

Mill Hill is a 30 minute drive from Hampstead.
Your best bet is Mill Hill (Grimsdell/Belmont) or Allenys (Northbridge house) in Hampstead. This means your children will all in one school. Best to start approaching schools and registering on occasional places. There is also Habs (girls/boys) in same location, I believe they have a coach service.