London independent boys' schools recommendations?

[KensalMama]

Hello, my DS (9) has just started Year 5 at a well-regarded Central London independent primary school. We're thinking of putting him down for the ISEB pretest for Year 6. I have no idea where to begin looking at "good" schools & organising visits to open days, etc.
I have heard good things about Westminster, St Pauls, Haberdashers Askes, UCL in Hampstead... Any other top-tier schools? (I know they're very competitive, but our son is in the top "stream" so we're aiming high at this point).
We're based in NW10 so ideally somewhere Central/ West, but happy to commute for the right school. My son is friendly, bright, good at maths & quite a sensitive soul but very loyal to his friends. We're not interested in "snobby" schools - just schools with an ethos that promotes intellectual curiosity & which will hopefully help him get into one of the good universities.
Very grateful for any recommendations/thoughts on the subject and thanks to everyone in advance. :)

Surely your school will advise you!?

CLS
Highgate

Speaking to parents of your DS's friends will probably give you some more options to consider too.

your school should be telling you that

CLS

Hi, everyone, our school has not reached that stage of advising yet, my son has only literally just started Year 5. Please keep the recommendations coming, I’m very grateful. Thanks

If you’re looking at the most academic schools, then look through the list below to see which ones are commutable for you and take it from there.

www.best-schools.co.uk/uk-school-league-tables/list-of-league-tables/top-100-schools-by-gcse/

Is city of London too far?

Hi OP

The list that JoJoSM2 shared looks good. I’m ow that Eaton Square and Wetherby have opened senior schools (new so no GCSE results yet). Other people might be able to advise you better but these might be worth a look, even if they don’t end up your first choice.

Other than that, it might be worth getting hold of a copy of the Good Schools Guide for north London - this splits schools into areas.

Thank you, great advice! :)

I'm trying to work out - without success - what is a "snobby school". Please advise.

Highgate, habs, city, ucs, st pauls and westminster are the key usual ones. Definitely look at Wetherby just to see it and have it on your list. All great schools and offer different things.

eton is a snobby school for example. HTH

Depends Where in NW10 you are but also
Latymer Upper
Merchant Taylor’s
John Lyon
Back up St Benedicts Ealing

No, I don't get it @DarlingOscar. How can you call Eton a snobby school when the School gives financial help to at least 20% of its boys averaging two-thirds (66%) of its massive annual fee of appx. £42K with more than 80 boys not paying a bean towards school fees?

Eton spends around £7million annually towards charitable activities including scholarships and bursaries in addition to sponsoring some state schools and opening up its facilities to the general public, etc. You can hardly call this school "snobby", can you?

I’ve heard good things about Dulwich

Peteneras you absolutely asked for that one I’m afraid.

OP so many schools to choose from- if you’re after a day school then you need to be more specific on area I think?

I’ve heard that both Alleyn and Dulwich are great - I wouldn’t want to schlep there from NW10 though.

OP you should do your homework. Tons of information on Mumsnet re schools you could target from Central London.

Eton turned the corner once Harry got in so you should really listen to what Pete @peteneras has to say. If you have a really smart kid, do not overlook Eton. You never know, he could be the next PM!

St Paul's or Westminster. But his name should have been down waaaay before now so he is unlikely to get in at this stage to those. Dulwich college is more relaxed with timings and a great school with amazing grounds. Good luck!

Not true- You still have plenty of time for St. Paul's and I suspect Westminster. Registration is open until early Y6 so if your son is in y5 that's fine.

Not sure why Fancytiles thinks he won’t get into SPS or Westminster. You can certainly apply for both of them for the 11+ intake (into SPJS or WUS) until Oct/Nov at the beginning of Y6. 13+ entry might be different (perhaps that’s what Fancytiles is thinking of) so I guess it depends on when he would enter.

13+ is the same as they do pretests etc in Y6 as well.

St Pauls is 13+ but you need to register by mid sept this year 2019 to get him in for sept 2022 it's done 3 yrs in advance, these places have v long timelines

I would say though that Westminster can be a little snobby- but not all parents are. With super competitive schools you are always going to get that to a certain extent but there are always nice parents in each year you just have to find them

OPs son is in Y5 so has another year to register for 13+.