London School Advice Please: Slightly quirky 11yr old boy

[Anniegre07]

Hi, brand new to mumsnet & currently in Australia.

Our family is relocating to London in September. Our son will be 12yrs old on Aug 14th. Currently in a top Australian school but bullied as he's a little 'quirky' following a brain injury. Hits all his academic markers well, is polite, friendly & well-liked by his teachers.
Would dearly love recommendations on schools to look at that may suit a kid not currently thriving in the traditional all boys, intensely academic and sport-driven school environ. Will look at any location around London. Would prefer co-ed for him I think? Thanks so much. This is horribly daunting. We know London pretty well. Lived in SW19 (1998-2002)

My slightly quirky DS started at the newly opened Harris Academy Wimbledon in September. Although not co-ed, the year 7's are the first intake, so only around 120 students and a large ratio of teachers to students. My DS is enjoying it so far, and I have had the same worries as you regarding bullying/quirkiness. It is a risk to send them to a school that's not "established" but so far so good, and the fact that it was new and small was one of the deciding factors for sending him there.

Do you have an address yet as you'll need one to apply for a state school? Can you afford or want an independent school?

Sorry, that meant to say it is co-ed!

Thank you so much for sharing your story & for the coed clarification. I’ll look into Harris for sure. Small would be great! xx

I don't know it personally but I have friends with children at Radnor House in Twickenham which is co-Ed, small and apparently great at providing for all sorts of children - might not be your area though.

@TheExtraGuineaPig - thank you! I’ll certainly take a look 🙏

@MrsPatmore Thank you. No address yet, we’re still in Australia. But you’ve highlighted something to consider. We’ve done independent for all 7 yrs of his education to date. I’m very flexible on that point going forward - providing we can meet all other criteria obviously x

@LottyNotty I’m so new, I didn’t even know I could tag you when I replied earlier! 🙈 I wanted to tag you now - to ensure you know how much I appreciate your posts. Thank you xx 🙏

Harrodian? It's a small year group so places can be hard to come by but with London's mobile population it is always worth asking. They have an odd, old fashioned emphasis on politeness and manners, and carpets.

@Needmoresleep - thank you! I’ll certainly take a look. Love old fashioned manners! xx

I would second Harrodian and also suggest Ibstock Place which is similar and also commutable from SW19. Both have a global feel and lots of expat DCs, the downside being you get more joiners and leavers but at least not everyone grew up within 5 minutes of each other so he wouldn't be an outsider. They are both very academic now and have excellent results but not on the same level as the top London schools, Westminster, SPGS etc. But if they were in a town outside London the schools would be seen as very academic.

Thanks so much @cakeisalwaystheanswer I’ll take a look. So appreciate all these comments & suggestions xx

Hampton Court House School might be another to consider. Co-Ed and no uniform. Don’t know much more about it but might suit a quirky child.

@littlemisslucky2 Thank you, I’ll check it out! ❤️🙏

Also I've heard Kew House is great - I have a friend with a son who sounds like yours and he absolutely thrived there.

You're very welcome @Anniegre07. I know how worrying it can be. I hope you find a suitable place for you son and good luck with the move xx

I'd second Hampton Court

I'd second Kew House and also Fulham School (new senior school opened by Fulham Prep).

Be aware OP that Hampton Court is quite alternative and not a mainstream school. Suits DCs who don't fit in at normal schools and many travel some distance to attend. It was actually opened by one of the founding members of Harrodian.

Kew House is a new school. When it first opened a lot of families jumped ship from local Indys which they thought had become too academic for their DCs and they wanted something more nurtuting. Consequently, the results at the moment are lower than the surrounding state comps. But a lot of local parents are unhappy with the local state senior school option in the immediate area and they have piled in at 11+ which will bring the results up medium term.

@Michaelahpurple Thank you. I took a quick look on line & thought it looked wonderful! But it seems applications for 2019 needed to be in by early Dec with testing next week - so we’ve missed out on an opportunity to even try. 🙈🙈 Which has heightened my all round anxiety with the entire process. Greatly appreciate the suggestion. Thank you x 🙏

Thank you @sanam2010. Online it looked like the date for admissions to Kew has already closed for 2019 unfortunately. But a great option. Thanks so much for helping x

Thanks so much for the perspective @cakeisalwaystheanswer Greatly appreciated! 🙏

Don't worry about the deadlines. London schools have expat DCs coming and going all the time and are set up for late applications, it shouldn't be a problem. Further out in the burbs deadlines etc do matter and there's less turnover but that can make it harder to fit in if you join late.
Call the schools and speak to the admissions team.

Following the thread with interest.

cakeisalwaystheanswer

what do you mean about Hampton Court not being a mainstream school? Does it have a high number of students with SEN do you know? Or is it more that its curriculum is different and it has no uniform?

It just genuinely offers something differnt QV, which some people don't seem to understand and they get slated for. Not all DCs suit "traditional" schools and sometimes the schools may not suit the parents who want something different. If you have a DC who struggles with authority and fights the rules all the time then HCH can be a fantastic choice. E.G. for a friend's DC compulsory games/PE is a major problem but at HCH the DC didn't participate - and the number one cause of conflict at school removed. Result a well behaved child learning.

But I also know a couple of friends who put DCs into HCH and moved them because what they really wanted a traditional LEH/Hampton type of school with all that goes with it, but less academic. The parents are much happier with one of the new local Indy schools recently opened which are much more traditional.

If you are interested please do go and look. I did for my DCs, but they are as boring and mainstream as DH and I are. Also the boys are hugely sporty so I would never send them to a school without a serious sports department, but I did think carefully about it for DD when she was young.