London Private Senior School For "Tim Nice But Dim"? / Where Do Average Kids Go?

[EmbroideryQueen]

Please help! I'm looking for a private Senior school for my DS within reach of central, north or possibly west London.

My DS will be moving school at 13+ and has various mild SEN which mean he usually gets CAT scores of 100 -110 and "may or may not just scrape through Common Entrance at 55%".

(Note, I'm not actually calling him or other DC like him dim as thread title suggests, just that I'm very aware that this is how he is thought of by many London schools.)

I'd love some suggestions for any Senior Schools looking for 55% CE or below in the right sort of area.

Thanks!

I'm not sure any schools like this exist in central London?

For north London, I loved Mill Hill when I toured, however I think they may be looking for more like 60-65% CE, so that's out of the question if I'm correct on that point. The only other north London school I can think of is Aldenham?

I did wonder about Harrodian, but I suspect they're looking for more like 60 -65% too, due to numbers competing?

Have you considered Portland Place?

I read about Portland Place, but I sort of assumed it was very oversubscribed due to the location, therefore they could pick and choose a lot? Am I wrong? I don't know that much about it. Good pastoral care?

The Harrodian is also massively over subscribed these days. Radnor House in Twickenham and Hall School Wimbledon would probably suit but the location may not work. Otherwise Portland Place is a very good suggestion.

They are very good with mild SEN, if they pick and choose it won't be on the same basis as the likes of City et al...has to be worth a try.

I was going to say Portland Place as well. I've met a few very happy parents. My understanding is that facilities are limited so competition for places is not particularly fierce.

St Dunstan is another South London option. What about King Alfreds?

I would second Radnor House in Twickenham, but may be too fargor you? Kew House (actually in Chiswick/Brentford) is a new school with a broader intake which people rave about?

I know a Tim, nice but sporty and dim, and the only school he managed to get in last year was Whitgift...

Ewell Castle would be another suggestion.

King Alfred's is amazing but a nightmare to get into, massively oversubscribed for 11+ and no exams as such so it feels like a proper lottery.

Kew House is definitely worth looking at - it's a really different school, I know several people with kids there in the average ability range and they are very impressed.

Emanuel in Clapham certainly used to be easier to get into. I think it's quite oversubscribed.

St Chris's in letchworth and St Edmunds ware run buses from North London. I think St/James Ashford run buses from central London. I am not sure if Halliford do or not. There is/also Thames Christian College in Clapham.''

St Johns leather head 55% CE bus from purge
The Hall/Wimbledon non selective but on goes to 16
Or if considering boarding Seaford College Petworth

North Bridge House?

There are also the schools used by mobile internationals. Southbank, International Community School and so on. The thing to watch though is whether they take IB, which can be really tough for a less academic child who is not an all-rounder.

The trick is often to look outwards, as schools just outside London can be less selective. Would be be up to John Lyon or Berkhampstead.

Assuming you are at a prep already - does the head not have any suggestions for you?

Thanks everyone!

Portland Place is sounding like a good option, I will investigate further.

Northbridge House location is perfect. I've read quite a few posts on this school, so many people seem concerned about the management of the school being very poor with lots of staff and pupils leaving? Am I being too fussy!?

Harrodian and Emanuel location is fine, but yes, I also thought these were becoming increasingly sought after and harder and harder to get in to?

I think Twickenham, Wimbledon, Kew are too far south unfortunately, though I would reconsider on that point if it turned out there were no other possibilities.

King Alfred's perfect location, I will check the entry requirements. Oh, I just saw up thread it's very very oversubscribed. Maybe an 'occasional' place at 13+?? Would it be very bad for a DC who likes a lot of routine and structure though? Also, we are not rich celebrities, but I'm not sure how much that matters?

St Dunstans the one in Catford? I got the impression that was very pushy academically, am I wrong?

St Chris', St Edmunds, St James, Thames Chris Coll I've not heard of any of these, thank you, I will investigate.

Southbank & International Schools I discounted these as I assumed the fees were absurdly high, but I will investigate.

AveEldon Unfortunately, none of the current Heads suggestions are very helpful.

Forgot to say

Whitgift I thought was hard to get in to, but it looks like a great school. Location may be OK as transport to Croydon is good.

St Elwell I've not heard of, will investigate.

St Johns, Leatherhead not heard of, will investigate.

Boarding Schools are sort of an option, but that's for another thread

Oh, just seen that Kew House is in Chiswick! I should read more carefully. Chiswick may be doable if it's an amazing school.

My understanding is St Dunstan is an option for those who would miss the cut off for the Dulwich schools and Trinity/Whitgift.

If you can get there add The Hall Wimbledon to your list.

Both Harrodian and Emanual are oversubscribed. You might have more luck with Ibstock.

St Benedicts Ealing might be another option.

Lots of weekly boarding options. Reeds Cobham. Shiplake.

Kew House is new but set up by a couple of well regarded preps who became only too aware of the shortage of secondary places. It could well be one of those where it is worth getting in early before it becomes too selective.

Another prep that has done this is Wetherby. Again it probably won't be that selective initially so worth a look.

Emanuel is increasingly sought after, including as first choice.

They guillotine their registration list, because they interview all candidates, and say they attach importance to this. They also say they are interested in pupils who bring something to the school (eg sport, art, drama) not just academic performance. So it may well be worth a look.

Word of warning. The limit of 600 registrations for 11+ Sept 17 entry has already been reached, and they say they are close to the limit of 150 for 13+. So if you think you might be interested, move quickly.

It's an easy school to reach from quite large swathes of London, as it's a short walk from Clapham Junction and all the overground and suburban rail services that stop there.

Did Aldenham appeal? Someone mentioned it earlier but you didn't pick it up. Does flexiboarding and I think has buses from North London.

I'm not hearing anything good about NBH either sorry. And I think if DS is keen on routine and structure then yes, cross KA off the list