Moving to London in September

[alessandraV]

A friend of mine is moving to London in September and she has a DD starting year 8. She is not British and she won’t be admitted in a estate school, so she is looking for a private one. Ideally she would live near her work in brook street but could also go to NW or SW (she also has to rent). Could you advise some good private/international school? American schools are out of the equation ( too expensive). Thank you all!

[LadyAgripina]

@crazygolf1 sorry!! I haven't seen your comment. My daughter is finally going to SouthBank international school because we are expats and she is used to international ecosystem and its near us. The experience at t Hampstead fine arts was no good in many levels 🙈, fortunately only one term.

Regarding Heathside my friend has her daughter there and she is very very happy. The school is welcoming, children and parents are nice, academically right. Her girls is flourishing there, as far as I can see.

Wish you good luck

[crazygolf1]

Hi, I realize this is a very old thread! But would love to hear how you got on at Heathside? I am just starting my research for a year 7, 2022 start for my DC and would love to hear any feedback. I hope it has gone well for you.

[PipaJJ]

:)

See you in September!

[alessandraV]

@pipaJJ I forgot to mention you 💜🦄🥰💕

[alessandraV]

Ey!!! That's really good news!! Thank you x that! I am really happy 👏👏👏
Also, I have passed my friend all your comments. Thank you!

[PipaJJ]

Evening @alessandraV
?? no - Heathside does have Year 9 - its a growing school. The school has been around for about 25 years - but the upper school bit is relatively new. The growth was paused under the previous owner who was slightly mad - since Dukes took over July 2019 and brought in our new Head - we are back on track and flying :) !
It currently goes to year 9 - then the next year will have year 10, and the following one will have year 11 too. I don't think it plans to go to 6th form though - but will have guaranteed places to other Dukes 6th form - fine arts and Eton square are the nearest.
So you're all good - if it doesn't work out :) :) :)

[alessandraV]

@pipaJJ the problem is that my daughter is year nine and my friend told me that Heathside does not have year 9 yet 😩. So, if it doesn't work I will have to look for another school ☹️

[PipaJJ]

Ps - Re Fine Arts its also a Dukes schools - some arty children have gone to there from Heathside for A Levels, and as a Dukes school they have a guaranteed place for 6th form.

It very creative and has absolutely amazing art and photography facilities - quite an older feel though - like a college, children I think just come in for their lessons and they go out locally for lunch and breaks.

Until recently - they were just a 6th form, but then opened a year 10/11 for children who were 'school refusers' but really into art. I understand from local mums - its sort of mixed, with fantastic curriculum and very very talented young people in 6th form - but lower down the classes are much smaller and split between, amazing children and 'referred' children.

If your DD is totally into art its definitely worth exploring! Anyway - If you feel its too relaxed - you could always come to Heathside for GCSEs and then to Fine Arts for 6th Form! Best of both worlds!
Have a good day :)

[alessandraV]

@pipaJJ thank you soooo much! I'll let her know all those marvelllous things! 💜

[PipaJJ]

OMG! @alessandraV
That is fantastic news! Please let her know that I can't wait to say hello! We have a very close knit and supportive parent group - with something for everyone from socials, fundraising charity things like wine tasting evening or the sponsored bike ride from Paris to Geneva (not for me!) , and lots of fun events to support our children!
Roll on September ! :)

[alessandraV]

@kathy11 @pipaJJ could you believe that she has already sorted the situation out and enrolled her daughter at Heathside? 🥳 What a coincidence! I am happy since I will be near. My DD is starting year 9 in Hampstead Fine Arts. They have told me some things about drugs in other post but my daughter is very arty and wants to give it a try. If it doesn't work, Heathside is near 🤷🏻‍♀️. Thank you for all the info 💜

[PipaJJ]

Couldn't agree more @Kathy11 !

I'm a Heathside mum and my DD loves it there. It's wonderfully nurturing but academically stretching at the same time. They have 15 max in each class so all children receive individual attention.

Yes - its part of Dukes. They have provided the investment the school needed and are building a brand new site for the senior school! The new Head who started last September is amazing really inspiring and the school is going from strength to strength.

Sorry rather long post - but the school is worth it - LOL

[Kathy11]

Morning @alessandraV

Heathside School in Hampstead - its part of the Duke's Education group. Absolutely wonderful school. Had some trouble two years ago - under previous owner - but since then under Dukes all I've heard is rave reviews! I'm in BP area - and lots of lovely local families go there....

[alexdgr8]

has your friend actually written to westminster city council re admissions.
will her accommodation be subsidised by employer.
that might affect where she can live.
do they have company flats. some do, in central london.
otherwise where would she live, how long commute.
camden borough council might be another to enquire. and barnet.
it is too sweeping to say only undesirable state schools will be left.

[alexdgr8]

most of the private day schools in london are girls only, not mixed.
are the children coming from the far east.
there is king alfred golders green which is co-ed, but it's very liberal, maybe too much so if used to the stricter regime in the far east.

[alessandraV]

@kathy11 do you remember the name of the school?

[Kathy11]

Evening

Many independent school places are becoming available owing to reduction in international travel / jobs etc.

Worth looking in NW London area - My sisters children go to an amazing school there.

Kathy

[alessandraV]

Thank you @Michaelahpurple and @sw1999

Her employer advices private school... And her friends tell her that state schools must find her a place but that the good schools would be complete and the "left" ones would be reformatory like 🙈. I think she will go definitely for a private one, given the scarce time left. Thank you for the advice 💜💜

[sw19999]

God, I wish WHS was under £6k a term!

OP- the Local Authority will have to find her a school and there is a lot of movement in London so spaces do come up regularly.
Can't her employers give her some guidance?

[Michaelahpurple]

Yes, Broom Street is in the heart of Mayfair, just next to Claridges, so she certainly won't be living near work.

She needs to look at tube lines out from there (Piccadilly, Central etc) and then plan schools for where she can afford to live from there. I suspect she won't be able to afford to live within cycling distance.

On fees, as stated upthread the Girls Day School Trust schools (eg Wimbledon High, Putney) are under £6k a term, (quite a bit under in some cases) but most Co-Ed ones are north of £6 (some a fair bit).

A problem is that independent schools broke up over a week ago so many of the their offices will be shutting. She would therefore be well advised to immediately subscribe to the good school's guide and embark on a massive phone around at once to get an eye of where their are vacancies and what selection process they will want to use immediately. Then think about to where to live.

Can't advise on state school processes - others have more to add on that.

[My0My]

I cannot find a Brook Street in SW1. W1. In Mayfair?

[alessandraV]

Thank you very much @ComeBy 💜

[ComeBy]

Oh, sorry, SW1 is not on the Northern Line.

But if she is close to Victoria she has lots of transport options to different areas. The principle is the same.

If close to Victoria she could move to the doorstep of Dunraven school in Streatham , put her name down also for Elmgreen and Norwood school, and catch the train from Streatham Hill station.

For example.

[ComeBy]

In her shoes I would find an area that suits her journey to work. Then (of those areas) find one that has good schools. 'Good' rated Ofsted is fine, doesn't need to be 'Outstanding'.

Then check that that school admits on distance. The find a place to live that is as close to being on the doorstep of the school as possible.

For example, if she is working near the Northern Line stations in N1 she could move to Balham , as close as possible to Chestnut Grove school. And also put her name down for other Wandsworth schools such as Burntwood.

It would be better if she could come in August and have her name down on the waiting lists before term starts.

[alessandraV]

Thank thank thank for al the answers!! 💜💜💜
Brook Street is SW1