Moving to London and can't find any independent school places

[mummyinaus]

Have DD and DS, 8 and 10, and moving back for DH's job relocation. Originally from London. Problem is, schools. Our DD enters senior school 2017, and places already are allocated at most private schools. Whats makes it harder, is she isn't that great at maths, and so many of the selective schools are going to be out! Shes fine at other subjects, average at maths.

I have called maybe 10-15 schools, and all the same message, "we are full", or "we examine all girls take top 15%".

Does anyone know of any schools that could have places, co-ed an advantage, but really at this point, not fussed. Looking at guildford, essex, redhill...various....argh.

If the school is close to a suburb commutable to canary wharf within 1hr15, that would be excellent!

Looking at state schools also, good ones. There is all about being in right catchment for september.

Moving to UK from aus is much harder than other way. Here, everywhere seems to have places.

"Alleyn's is going to be full, but there are actually a few schools around croydon that could work"

Something you might want to check: Alleyns Junior is going to be full in Sept 2016. But Alleyn's itself will not even have opened its applications window for Sept 2017. So no, nothing doing for this Sept for prep, but no reason either to rule it out for a secondary application.

But all the Dulwich Foundations Schools are academically selective, so it would be a case of arrive, apply and then exam in January. If you had seen any/all of them and knew they'd be a good fit, then this is worth a try.

Do you want to live in London itself, or would you prefer commuter town?

Have sent you a pm. If your daughter goes into year five now then she will more like get into linked senior school. Pm me if you wish.

Head of the diamond school in Haselmere is lovely.
Old palace, steer very clear
Hurstpierpoint is good and selective with a very small s
Royal Russell is good
Croydon High for girls I highly recommend
Any GDST school for your daughter
Lingfield Notre Dame for both
Oxted school is very big but good state secondary
Ardingly College

schools haven't even started taking applications for September 2017 ?!?

If you are applying to independent schools for Sept 2017 I don't see what the problem is? Entrance exams are in January 2017 normally. You can apply from overseas if necessary. For state secondaries the application deadline is sometime in Oct iirc so rent somewhere in a street next door to the school of choice and you'll go right to top of the list even if you come back after the application deadline.

Move to Swiss Cottage, Jubilee line to Canary Wharf, and look at North Bridge House

Guildford:
GHS and Tormead may not have any year 6 places, but they don't start testing until the Autumn for the senior schools. You could also look at Rydes Hill for a girls Prep.
Less academic schools which lots of Guildford girls go to include: St Theresa's, Priorsfield, Manor House, The Royal, Farnborough Hill, or Duke of Kent. Most of these also have a prep department.
The state schools in Guildford are also pretty good.
Then there are ACS Cobham and the International school north of Woking.

Do not panic.

Would you consider living in Reading or St Albans - fast trains into London although you would be at the mercy of the Tube thereafter

I agree that looking for a traditional prep that goes to 13 wou,d be a good idea. Would get you a place, give time to settle, and have options off secondary transfer.

I also agree with looking at Kent/Surrey borders. Trains from eg Sevenoaks or Tonbridge are frequent and fast. Even Oxted is only 35minutes in.

Come to NW London / Herts way and look at Northwood / Rickmansworth area which is still just over an hour to Canary Wharf. Rickmansworth Masonic, St Margarets and Northwood College are all less academic but still good girls schools and may well have space for your daughter. You can then try for St Martin's, St John's, Orley Farm, Northwood Prep for your son. All go through to 13 and will prep for secondaries.

State schools in the area are good too.

mummyinaus, we have moved with 2 ds and struggled as well. Over the years, we have worked with 2 consulting firms with excellent results - Bowker Consulting and Bonas Macfarlane. For us, it was money well spent both times!