Moving to New Malden with 3 younger sisters – school advice (private & sixth form)

[OneHappyJoker]

Hi all, hoping the MN hive mind can help as my head is spinning a bit.
My partner and I are relocating to New Malden at the end of May for work, and at the same time I’ll be taking my three younger sisters to live with us as our parents are moving abroad. I’ll be finishing my own education in April, and from then on I’ll be their main day-to-day support (with parents still funding education).
From Sept 2026 they’ll be in:

• Year 12 (age 16)
• Year 1 (age 5)
• Nursery/Pre-school (age 2–3)

We’re used to the independent sector and would ideally like to keep the two youngest in private, co-ed schools if possible. Logistics:

• Based in New Malden
• Ideally max 30 min drive for the youngest two
• Up to ~1 hour commute could work for the Year 12 one
• We both have fairly flexible work so can do drop-offs/pick-ups

About them: 16yo (going into Y12) – academic but very creative. Loves dance, theatre, performing arts, and currently says she’d like to become a primary teacher. Would love a sixth form with a good arts scene but still strong academically and supportive pastorally (it’s a big life change for her). 4yo (going into Y1) – very outgoing and sporty. Already does rugby, football, netball, tennis and swimming and has endless energy. Would suit a school that really values sport and confidence-building. 2yo – still tiny so just looking for a lovely, nurturing nursery/prep environment to start her off. I don’t know SW London schools at all, so would really appreciate:

• Good co-ed prep schools near New Malden
• Nurseries/pre-preps linked to those schools
• Strong sixth forms (state or private) that are good for artsy but academic girls
• Any areas/schools to avoid or things I might not have thought of when moving kids at these stages

It’s a big transition for them, so pastoral care is just as important as results. Thank you — feeling a bit overwhelmed but trying to get organised early!

Those are decisions for your parents to make, I’d think. This is a very strange situation and doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I can understand maybe your oldest sister staying in the UK for sixth form as moving between education systems is hard but the younger children would probably be better going with your parents, wherever they are.

So your poor baby sister’s mother and father are moving abroad without her?? I love a bit of ChatGPT but did it not suggest some schools to you when you wrote that OP?

Good luck, hope it all goes well. God I feel for the little one! Take care!

Is there any good reason why your parents aren’t taking the 5 and 2 year olds with them? Or completely re-thinking their plans, in view of the fact that they have two very young children to consider? Is your partner on board with all this? You say it’s a big transition for your sisters. It’s also going to be an almighty big transition for both of you…
I can’t comprehend that your parents could possibly consider that this is a sustainable situation for any of you. They must be bankrolling this plan to an eye-watering degree.

Glenthorne School in Sutton is v good for Artsy type (Co-Ed).

Also check out Coombes Girls - I don't know much about them but will be local to you.

My colleague lives in Old Malden with her dc at a primary in Worcester Park. It’s state but she raves about, her eldest is at one of the grammars, Nonsuch I think.There are a few Sutton grammars & Tiffin girls you could target for 6th form.

Wimbledon High for a private option

Glenthorne mentioned above is very good but I think a place would be unlikely from NM.

The parents need to engage with the schools, the council tax etc needs to be in the name of the parents for a state school. Where are the parents paying tax etc.

co-ed prep school, check Donhead in Wimbledon.

or you can look into Surrey, Claremont Fan court and Epsom College both have buses going through New Malden.

That’s a really great question you’re already thinking like a parent

etc