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 would also have a look at NBH Canonbury on its own merits and with an open mind. Some of the "mixed" feedback on NBH (at least here on MN) is related to their other senior school in Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead! You should make sure you know which site each piece of feedback you have received relates to. The Canonbury site starts at 13 (which is what you want) and has its own head etc. (NBH is sharing the brand across several separate schools!) Also, N1 sounds like it also fits your location preferences quite well. Agree with the "building mode" point.

With a CAT score of 100 - 110, he should manage 55% on CE, or more importantly, pass the pre-test of the schools his prep school headteacher recommends.

I agree it is likely that wetherby will grown more selective over time, as has happened with the prep school but at the moment I think it is still pretty open, at least relative to some others

Agree this is an interesting thread - there does seem to be something of a lack of conversation and provision for this part of the market, and even an unwillingness of schools to even recognise that there surely has to be a range of ability options.

When we ask our prep where might make a good back up if a boy proves not to be up to going to westminster , whither most are headed, there is always muttering about "no where is easy in London". Really? So if they can't get in to westminster there is no where else decent but easier to access? Off to Stowe then.

All so silly

I find this extraordinary too, I have - variously - friends with perfectly bright boys all sending them to boarding school at 10 or so because "they'll never get in to a London school"; friends with dcs whose preps have told them they're highly likely not to get in anywhere (though to be fair, anywhere the parents will countenance seems to be the subtext here as many dislike the idea of their child attending a school with a less-than-stellar reputation) and friends with dcs at schools which formerly - though unofficially - prided themselves on catering for SENs, who have now been told their child will have to leave unless they pull up their socks academically.

There's money to be made here

It's definitely a problem. DD's SW London prep is in the process of extending to include a non-selective senior section in response to the fact that the local 'safe' options (historically Emmanuel and SCHS) have become so oversubscribed.

What I find worrying is that the quality of the schools hasn't changed their results are improving just because sheer pressure of numbers in London enables them to be more selective. It's very hard to judge what value they are actually adding.

I hear increasing stories of DC who aren't 'top set' material being overlooked by schools keen to focus on the top pupils who might have a shot of a propspectus enhancing Oxbridge offer instead.

OP, I know you've said boarding is for another thread, but I thought it might be worth mentioning that my DB, who struggled academically and is dyslexic, went to a Friends' (Quaker) school; their ethos might well suit your DS, as they develop talents other than the purely academic. My experience of them is admittedly a generation ago, but DB had a good time there and achieved. I know of 2 which are within striking distance of London - Sibford Ferris in Oxfordshire and Saffron Walden.

FozzleyPlum
I actually love everything boarding schools have to offer, but I would like to be able to see DS most days of the week.

MichaelaPurple, MissGintyMarlow, IsThisABigDeal

I agree!

Right, so who is up for starting a school with me then!?

Just a few notes on schools as I investigate them....

St Christopher's Letchworth I really like the look of this one and the bus to Highgate would be quite convenient (although it does take 1hr 10).

Whitgift sports and facilities look great, but it is a boys school which I'm less keen on. Also, the location isn't as convenient as I initially thought.

Whitgift is a great school.

Thank god I live out of London as I have the female equivalent of Tim Nice But Dim and there are millions of schools she could go to (not least our fab local state). London sounds horrific!!

St Dunstans I think this would be too far away, due to the journey involving at least 2 changes with tube in the middle. It'd be over an hour and a horrid journey.

Briss yes, it does look very nice. If it was the only potion then I would go for it, but I think the location and not being co ed take it off the list for the time being.

Yes, London is a nightmare!

isthisabigdeal
I forgot to mention, I agree - I imagine there are a few schools which do give a lot of value added (just for a laugh I sent off for the St Pauls prospectus, and some of the stuff they do looks amazing) but I think for the majority the amazing results are down to academic and social selection.

St Benedicts Ealing is Catholic, so has gone to the bottom of my list.

Can I just interrupt this thread to say that my friend's daughter got 110 CAT scores at her, pretty average comprehensive. She is currently doing her second year of medicine.

St Johns Leatherhead looks amazing, but bus routes would be pretty much impossible.

TinklyLittleLaugh

My DC would only get 110 on a good day. Other times he can get 100. So I've got to assume that in an exam she he is stressed its more like 100 standard / equivalent.

I'm not saying CAT scores of 110 are 'bad' or make a child 'dim'. I'm saying it's virtually impossible to get in to the huge majority of London day schools if you are at that sort of standard. Are you familiar with the London system?

GinandJag Oh, That's encouraging to hear. Though it would depend how hard a particular school marked, wouldn't it? The guide I was given was very roughly CAT 100 can usually manage 50% CE, and CAT 110 can usually manage 55% CE. Do you think that info is wrong?

I don't want to put the cat among the pigeons, but are you absolutely wedded to the private sector? Children with 'various mild SEN' are often better catered for in the state sector. I've taught in both and it appals me how the children with CAT/MidYs scores of 95-110 are pretty much left to get on with it in a private school. They're stuck in small-ish bottom sets but there's no real support, and a real lack of TA's, who can make such a difference to less able children.

Kew House & The Hall, Wimbledon I think the travel looks nightmarish for us. They will go to the bottom of the list. Aside from travel they look great though.

BiscuitsNeeded yes, I'm wedded to it. Unless I can invent a plausible claim to the £33m lottery ticket to buy a house in a good catchment.

Elwell Castle transport v tricky though not impossible. Going near the bottom of the list due to transport.

Has anyone mentioned Royal Russell?

St Edmunds, Ware Looks amazing, great bus route. Unfortunately it is Catholic, but I do love the look of it, so it's going on the list.

AveEldon I did look in to Royal Russell, but the pastoral care has a reputation for being poor, plus I think it works on a catchment area which I'm nowhere near.