Private schools for less academic children in and around West London

[reallypissedoffhouseseller]

I started this thread a few days ago, and someone suggested posting on here for school ideas.

Briefly, DS is nine and idle, though bright. If we can get him into the only good state school that we have a chance at, all should be reasonably well. If we can't, all private boys' or co-ed schools in easy reach of us look incredibly competitive and I don't give much for his chances of passing the exams. Is anyone aware of a less selective day school that might be plausible? (I think he would hate boarding, so that isn't a realistic possibility.)

Have you looked at Northbridge and Kew House? The first goes to 18. The group that owns the 2nd is opening a new senior school in Maida Vale. I think I read somehwehere that Knightsbridge School is opening a senior school. Ravenscourt Prep worth looking at also.

Sorry - Ravenscourt is not senior but affiliated to Kew House and Maida Vale School.

Thanks. Kew House might be a possibility. We can't consider Northbridge as the commute would be horrendous and we can't move to make it easier: we live west so that we're in reasonably easy reach of DH's elderly and ill mother, and moving to North London would add an hour to the journey (not to mention probably being beyond our means). Prep schools not really relevant as this is for senior school - he's in a good local primary at the moment and we're quite happy to leave him there till the end of year 6.

Harrodian (Barnes)?

Harrodian, Ibstock, St James, St Benedicts Ealing. Those seem to be the options for boys of more average ability or those who are academic but wouldn't thrive in the Uber-competitive academic schools or want a more relaxed environment. I've heard St Bs is very nurturing and also they're really trying to tighten up the academics so that side is improving too. Good for sports as well.

I’m put off St Benedict’s by the appalling history (and we’re not Catholic), but will investigate the others. DS not at all sporty so I don’t care about that: music is much more important.

If he's idle then I think you need to make sure you find a school that will stay on his case and not let him slip. Worth finding a really good tutor who will force him to cover the work and practise for the tests, then he may surprise you and do very well. There's also Emanuel in Clapham but that may not be an easy commute depending on where you are and apparently it is increasingly selective. But if he's naturally bright then he could do well.

We’ve got the tutor and we’re on his case, but we can’t make him care about doing well so I’m exploring other options!

The history is v bad, but do visit as it's a completely new staff as far as I know so aside from the awful associations it shouldn't have any bearing on current education/experience. I have a dd and absolutely didn't like it for her, but many friends love it for their sons. The ratio is 70:30 boys:girls, which was a big reason not to consider it for my dd. I think - though don't quote me on it - that the music there is pretty good. But anyway, don't panic, there are options. Go around them all now so that you'll have a clearer idea of what they offer and visit again nearer the time. I left all my open days until autumn term of yr 6 and it's all been v busy! There's also Epsom College but it's a trek and hours long, fees high. Very good though.

Halliford? A friend has a boy and he is thriving. Previously at a state primary in St Margaret's.
Fulham School (linked to Fulham Prep) is worth looking at too.
Reed's or St George’s in Cobham. I think there are a couple of schools in Ascot with a bus service too.

And Radnor House in Richmond, very much up and coming.

I think an academic environment could also work if he’s able to get into one of the competitive schools. IMO he might be less likely to coast if he’s in a school where he’s challenged and there’s the general ethos/vibe of working hard.

JoJoSM2, I agree - I think a school with high expectations could be the making of him - and I'm intending to put him in to sit the exam for a couple of very academic schools, but at present I definitely need a fall-back plan if he mucks up the exams.

Where exactly do you live? I could suggest some schools that are easily commutable.

We're in Acton, transport links are quite good.

Myy son has applied to new school Maida Vale School in W9 - Queens Park area. There will be a Year 7, 8 and 9 for 2020. A bit far from Acton perhaps?

DS goes to Reeds and was similar, lehtargic about schoolwork, etc. But at Reeds it is really good sporty and character building stuff. Great thing is boys around him are the same type so he keeps up with them in the class room as they have a good bond on the playing field so his school work has impoved much. Looking back, I think the problem pre-Reeds was that he was friends with hot-house cramming kids all trying to get into KCS etc, so he could not keep up or relate to them bar play ground banter. Being with friends who love sports means the more academic driven ones who also get on in the classroom means DS son keeps up with them as they all thrive together and its fun.

Always the case with boys. Who is leading them is everything. Girls its more about being better/ incisive which is why they traditionally perform better than boys.

Boys if you get good mentors (boys or teachers/coaches) outside of family, (pappas are too cosy), then they turn around and parents can supplement the rest. But if wrong company, or disconnect or they drift, then its game up, and suggest start making contacts at Tatler or sloaney PR companies to start him on a back-up Air-Head career as your last resort for a decent outcome or its selling mobile phones and trying to wave it off to your friends as merely a little gap-year eccentricity.

Hi OP. I would also suggest Kew House or their new school, Maida Vale House. Radnor House in Twickenham could be worth a look?
There is a school called Pembridge House (more in Central London I think), but it’s meant to be less of a hothouse environment.
Otherwise Reeds? Or St James Boys? Though these schools are further out and the coaches add a lot of time onto the school day.

Sorry it’s not Pembroke (that’s a prep) - it’s Portland Place and it’s a co-Ed in Marylebone.

DS1 is at St B and isn’t RC, plenty of pupils aren’t . The school has moved on a long way from its history. The new head is very open in his communications about what happened and what has been done to rectify the situation.
Rule it in or out because of what it is now rather than what it was.

They are tightening up on the academics.