choosing an indie secondary school

[theconfusedparent]

Hi, new on Mumsnet; worry I'll get as addicted to it as facebook!

Anyway, would be grateful for your tips and experience about how to go about choosing indie secondary schools to apply for - knowing my options (having recently moved to the area, SE London), what should be the most important factors? When should I start seriously thinking about it/applying (long waiting lists I believe??)

Someone's told me about the independent schools show in Battersea, is that worthwhile; are there other exhibitions I'd find helpful in making that decision? or websites?

Thanks in advance!

How long have you got? The show is one good starting point. I would probably start with the Good Schools guide website, where you can search to find all private schools in your area (even those not in the guide). You also need to decide what you want; single sex, co-ed, how academic, how important is sport, any special sport?, drama, music, boarding or day. Then get prospectuses and look at websites. Then those you still like visit.oh and travelling distance, or time.

Also why are you only considering independents?

Remember these schools are going to tell you how wonderful they are and the GSG is notorious for putting a glossy spin on schools.
But I do agree work out what you think you want because otherwise you'll just get bogged down.

Hello

The first and most important thing is - know your child. Be realistic.

Do not pretend to yourself that you have a scholarship child when you have a middle average child. Don't pretend you can coach a struggling child to get into a high league table school. They will hate it even if they do get in. Are they sporty, are they musical?

We used to live in the SE and our children went to a very high league table Prep. I know how high pressure, competitive and obsessive it can become. league table was all that mattered - everything else was subsidiary.

Now we live outside the SE and our children go to a good private school that caters for a wide range of abilities. It delivers children to Oxbridge and plenty more to uni at all levels - but is well rounded and average children does really well. It has good facilities, the Headteacher is a good leader, loads of extra curricular activities and parents come form all sorts of backgrounds.

It is coeducational. As we have boys that was important to us. Sport is important but they have a fabulous choir, fabulous art and music. There is something for everyone. We are very happy.

Yes word of mouth very important. Never heard a bad word about our DSs current school. The school they just left had lots of parents complaining.

Not all private schools are good.

The snag with the big fairs is that all the schools you see will tend to blur into each other after the first hour or so.

As you say you already have moved (and are therefore not picking location for sake of the school), I'd suggest you compile a list of the schools that are logistically possible, visit their web sites, and ask for views (in RL and possibly on here). Then visit them yourself - I really don't think you can shortcut the legwork.

I agree, but in my case I suspect within the first five minutes.....have a look at the websites of the ones close to you, talk to people and appy pinches of salt as need be, and go to some open days. For 11+ in SE London, as far as I know there are no waiting lists...you apply in Oct/Nov for entrance following September. I'd start with the ones close to you.

thanks folks much appreciated, some great advice on here!

sorry for being stupid EdithWeston, but what is "RL"?

Feel less daunted by the entire prospect, thank you.....

Happy Mother's Day everyone

"RL" means in real life.

Confused, at the top of the page, you wil see a link to acronyms. It includes most of the ones you will see used. I am quite new too, and sometimes find posts incomprehensible quite cryptic without it.

You can use a website here from an organisation called Gabbitas and Tring (I know!) who will give details of schools near you, and you can then find out about them. Open Days are useful to get a feel for the school, and word of mouth/local reputation is also very useful.