11+ school for 'quirky' DS

[Devadeva]

Hello All,

I am a bit lost and would appreciate a bit of advice. We are looking for independent schools for DS to join in Year 7 (London). Planning for him to sit the ISEB pretests at the end of this year (he is currently in Year 5).

DS is quite academic, does very well in languages, not at all sporty. Good at drama and music. Mostly plays with the girls. His teachers describe him as very polite, gentle, and 'quirky.' He might not do well at a hothouse as he can lack confidence sometimes. His academic side needs supporting but in a nurturing environment. We live in East London so not near many independent senior schools but are considering Forest as he can get to it easily on the tube. He could also take the coach from Canary Wharf to schools that have a bus service from there. We are very near the tube so could consider a commute to West London. City of London would be easy for us to reach but I don't think the school will suit him as I've heard it can be very pushy.

He's been using Atom to practice and doing well on the English and Maths mock tests (scoring 8s and 9s) and a little less well on vr and non vr but working on that. I would be very grateful for any school suggestions.

Have you considered Latymer grammar if you're in catchment? It's not very hothousey once you're in despite being academic and has very strong music. Parts of East London are in catchment. Kids I know at Forest seem happy but boys and girls are taught separately from 7.

Look at Dulwich College - good for both drama and music, big enough for everyone to find their own tribe, and team sports are optional after a pupil's first year there (7 or 9) unless selected for a squad. Loads of other sports to choose from for PE lessons.

Foundation coach service has east London routes, so the journey would be do-able. Alleyns (co-ed) is on same bus service, so worth a look too.

Thanks Stokey and AnotherNewt. I had no idea about Latymer Grammar or that Dulwich was good for drama. We are definitely going to check out Alleyn's.

Eltham college (coeducational) also has a bus from Canary Wharf - but only about 10-15 spots for boys at yr 7 so very competitive

Alleyn’s - co-ed, excellent drama and music, as well as the “core subjects”.
Dulwich College but single sex.

However, I would consider the commute much too far from East London and your DS would be isolated from his peers. You wouldn’t need to live within walking distance of these schools but a shorter commute would make things easier for your all.

Op what did you decide in the end? 8s and 9s are, of course, the top marks, so I’d say that academically he’d suit any of the top 10 schools, including City. All of the very academic schools will include some very “quirky” boys.

It may be a more relaxed school will suit him, where he’s one of the strongest, academically, and any social issues (or obsessions)- on reflection, not sure exactly what you mean by quirky (being polite etc sounds great!) - could be balanced out. All indie schools will help with pastoral support, that seems to be high on most schools’ agendas.

intrigued to know your thinking now that you are presumably in the thick of applications etc?

Hi Elbieo,

By 'quirky' I think they mean he's just a little different from the other boys. No obsessions. Alleyn's and Dulwich are on our list as he liked those on the Open Days. We spoke to other parents and children who do the commute. The children seem to have a great time time on the coach. We're applying to a couple of super selectives (not City) as the Head of his prep said he'd done very well on his CAT tests. But they aren't really high on our list as we do think he needs a more relaxed environment. I'm also not sure that scoring high on the CAT tests necessarily translates to doing well on the entrances. We like one of our local state schools as well. It is oversubscribed so don't know what will happen with that application!