Secondary school in SW1 - independent

[alessandraV]

Hi, my DD is going to Hampstead Fine Arts (only two weeks but I can imagine it won't work). We are not British and we chose the school because it is art and humanities oriented but I guess that maybe the school is not the best for her. She is very keen to study and give time to school and could go to a selective one, but I really dislike those systems. Plus we live in SW1 due to work, so I prefer something nearer if she is going to change at some point. I would be grateful to hear your suggestions. I think that maybe an international school could be the best option

Hi OP, before anyone replies I thought to ask what year is you DD starting now? As this may affect the answer.

It has a reputation for being a party school with a serious drugs issue.

She is in year 9. I am inclined to send her to an international school since I don't seem to find the way between a selective and a loose one. The problem of the school is not drugs but the absence of academic focus and engagement with students. Anyway thank you for answering

Francis Holland Sloane Square. My daughter has applied there for sixth form and we have met with the head. It's not just for rich kids - there are many who go from further out and different backgrounds. It's an all girls school, competitive enough without being a hot house, but seems quite nurturing and keen to promote girls reaching their potential and preparing them to be confident and grounded adults. My daughter is interested in the creative fields but I believe the school does well in many subjects. A lower sixth form student showed us around and told us they were very caring, focused on individual potential and made her feel very welcome.

OP, regarding avoiding selective schools, I think the right approach is to go with a school that is pitched at the right level for your daughter. Depending on the child, this may or may not be a selective school. So you need to assess that even if a school is selective, she will be fine and the best for her because she will enjoy it the most.
Re international schools, there is also Kensington Park in London which seems good and international?

I would second Francis Holland if they have spaces. Either of the sites would be good travel wise. Channing or South Hampstead High could also be a choice. If she's dead set on mixed (those are all girls schools) it gets a bit trickier but new schools like Maida Vale might suit you. Otherwise trying for a place at Highgate might work if she's not too unacademic.

Have you looked at More House in Knightsbridge? They take girls of all abilities but I believe they do well by all of them.

Thank you for all the ideas!! She is very academic, but coming from abroad and different system, I don't see how I can make her sit for examination and with the year already started. I will have a look at all the suggestions! (Sloane says in the web that they take new students when they are 16.) I will write to every one. Thanks!!

In that case City of London Girls, Francis Holland, South Hampstead or Channing would be a good bet. I would say they're academic in that order with City being quite hard to get into. You're looking for an in year admission, not a normal point of entry. Each school will have their own criteria and way of doing it but most of it depends on a space being available. They are very used to an international intake so if she's bright she shouldn't have a problem.
You're fortunate you're doing it in Y9, it's a nightmare moving in y10-11 and can be almost impossible.

All of these schools will be used to getting girls mid year, so don't worry about that. Give Highgate a call too, she might like the coed part of that and they're ok to get to on the tube. It's very very unlikely but I would even call St Paul's girls. You never know they may have a space coming up she could sit an exam for. You can't get more academic than that.
If tube isn't a problem try the SW ones too like Godolphin.

Thank thank you for all the good advice! It is difficult to understand the British system coming from abroad. I am truly grateful

More House is a catholic school (not exclusively, but strong ethos) and that might appeal guessing by your name and making sweeping assumptions!
A friend sends her children to Southbank International school and one in particular has done brilliantly academically (maths and sciences). They’re in Sw1 but also a Hampstead campus. International baccalaureate syllabus. Only hitch is the high turnover of kids, so friends leave as parents move jobs.
Frances Holland a great tip too.

Which country did you come from? Do you want a mixed school with girls and boys? Do you need to stay in North London and minimise travel? Apart from Highgate there is also the American School in North London.

I came from Argentina, but I am half Jewish and quarter jedi 😂😂😂 So, catholic is a no no... :). I am making the admission process for Southbank and writting to all the other schools you mentioned. I now know I should have paid more attention to advice given here, because Hampstead Fine Arts was a mistake. I live and work in SW, but send her to Hampstead bc I thought the school was "special". I don't need to be in North London at all. My daughter prefers mixed. Thank you again for all the suggestions!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Southbank is really great too, just a bit pricey and a high turnover of people so she may find she's losing friends every year but not always.
Hampstead is good, just not for a very academic child and certainly not in Y9 when there's a handful of them there. It does really well with kids who have SEN or find a large mainstream school difficult.

Half Jewish / quarter Jedi is VERY Hampstead fine arts 😂

@TryAnotherNickname hahahaha yes, it's perfect.

The force knows its ways

King Alfred School might correspond better to what you were looking for at Fine Arts?

Thank you @bagelsandlox I will explore the school as well.