education consultant for secondary schools in London

[learningmom]

Hello everyone,
Has anyone of you worked with an education consultant for secondary school entrances? (can be for both state and independent schools)
My son is in Year 4 and I've already started panicking!
Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance!

What's an education consultant? A boutique tutor?

Also, I hope you're ok and if you don't mind me saying, but you'll definitely have a better experience if you relax a little bit.

Find a good 11+ tutor and let them advise you. A good tutor will know from experience which schools suit what type of pupil . If you are at a private prep you should have a dedicated member of staff for this

I'm not sure it is really a thing for state schools, as (bar moving house) you only have a realistic option of a few schools. People often use them when relocating and have no idea where to start. Are you currently living in the UK? If so, you might be able to do it yourself by researching schools in a reasonable commute. Where are you based?

No personal experience but I've seen Mel Ingle mentioned.

@theSunday, they help you assess your child and then guide you through the secondary school journey by tutoring, school selections etc. I am trying my best but I am coming from a whole different education system so this one scares me

@BendingSpoons, I have spoken with 1 or 2 of them, we have been living in West London for the last 5 years. The thing is we think about moving when it comes to being in the catchement of good schools I have already started looking for secondaries, but a little bit of help will be very useful.

@Whatswrongwithakipper thank you for the advice. My son is in a state school and they don’t have anyone in particular for advising.

@learningmom, you will find all the advice you need here on mumsnet, for free.

an 11+ tutor who him- or herself grew up in your local area and/or who has slightly older kids in your area might offer what you're looking for.

@learningmom I think you need to narrow down a search area first. Typically most of the top tier private secondary schools for boys are either W or SW London/Surrey - Hampton, KGS, St. Paul’s , KCS, Westminster, but you have dulwich in SE and some great schools in north London too.
You need to break this down in to bite size chunks.
I would start by looking at commute to work for you and partner if its relevant and work out what a commutable distance is for you to the office. Also consider how far out you want to be. Are you prepared to move to Surrey or do you want to be suburban/urban? This would help you identify an area at least and you can work from there. Next step is to look at state schools in the area - again lots of selective and non selective excellence t state schools in SE,SW and north.
Then look at the private schools in the area. If your DS is sporty but average /or above averagely bright /super bright/arty etc or any combination of these, then there will be schools that fit that criteria in the area you have narrowed down or at least a good bus service to get you to one. When you have an area, then you can engage an 11+ tutor who will know that area well and the school entry requirements for them. They will then tell you the best fit for your DS based on what they see during the tutoring.

Hi - We are relocating to London (from France) for the 2025 fall school year and are native English speakers. We have a 16 yr old daughter and an 8 yr old daughter (both fluent in French and English) and we are looking for a good school helper (consultant?) to assist us with finding a school for both girls - public, state, independent - any good school. We will be living somewhere in north London (south of the A1 to the A501). Does anyone have any recommendations for a school helper? A great apartment/house rental broker would also be appreciated! Thanks so much - Jon and Shira

You would be best to start a new thread as people will see this is from 2022 and not answer - or answer the original poster.

When does your 16 year old turn 17?

Check out goodschoolsguide.co.uk and londonpreprep.com they have informative websites.

Thank you everyone - lots of great information - our 16 year old turns 17 in mid-September.

Jon and Shira

Okay so she is current Y11 and you will be looking for a 6th form place for September.

There are various options for 6th form.
If she is academic then the usual routes would be either 3 A Levels or the IB (fewer schools offer the IB).

Otherwise there are other options such as BTECs.

What are her future career goals? What subjects does she like?

Current Y11s will have done 6th form applications last autumn - some will have closed already, some will still be open. You need to get on it quite fast in terms of signing up for various options. Normally there are specific results that are asked for from GCSEs.

Y11 are sitting GCSEs in May/June and will get the results on the 21st August. If you are wanting a state option you will need to be in the UK on the 21st and able to go to the 6th form and sign up unless they are happy to do that remotely. Call round and find out. Each school should have their 6th form admissions on the website/

For the younger one, it's easier as they are not at a main leaving point. But you will need a school with space.

Unless you go for a through private school they will not be at the same school.