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)

thank you cake. I might have a look.

Thanks again @cakeisalwaystheanswer So helpful to have local perspectives! xx

We really like Harrodian. We applied when DS was 11 and also quite quirky. Co-ed, non uniform, beautiful grounds, very easy going but still challenging academically for those ready to work for it.

Our son did change and mature a lot and in the end he opted for an all-boys public school, but we only have warm feelings towards Harrodian.

My son attended Hampton Court House till Year 2. I guess it would not be considered a “mainstream” school as there is no uniform, they speak a lot of French, and the children are on a first name basis with the teachers. It is a more informal atmosphere but we really loved it because of that. It is very academic but also places a lot of emphasis on character development. I would not say it had a large SEN population when we were there.

King Alfred Phoenix in Hampstead had been recommended to me as "quirky" and unusual but lovely. It's very small and very pretty grounds (my daughter performed in their theatre and it's such a lovely-looking school.

Might also be worth looking at a Trinity? My quirky non sporty DS is extremely happy there, and the teachers seem genuinely interested in helping all the boys find their own niche, whatever that might be. My other DC went to very sought after state schools but enjoyed school far less because of the need to live up to much more rigid expectations with far less space for individuality; Trinity is a breath of fresh air and might suit your DS.

I would also look at The Hall School in Wimbledon - it has had issues of late but I was speaking to a friend recently who has had 2 dds there and she said that it's really overcome those now after a change of ownership and they are so happy with it. Quirky children seem to do well there. I'ts very small which could be a good or bad thing depending on your opinion!

OP, Kew House school are opening a new senior school, Maida Vale School that will be fun under the same ethos as KH in Sept 2020. I’ve attached a link to their website. Could be a great opportunity to be part of something new and less daunting than joining a big, established school?

Also, similarly, I believe Fulham Prep should hopefully be opening their new co-ed senior school in brand new premises in Parsons Green next Sept. Give them a ring maybe?

run under! (hopefully also fun)

Oh just seen this is an old thread which people started posting on yesterday!

Hi all , we have been offered a place for year 5. Did anyone go for HCH and have any feedback?