Any ideas on a north London indie for my son?

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DS is really bright eg just got exceeding expectations across the board in his school report (with no tutoring or pressure from us - I’m not keen on homework this young). I know he wouldn’t suit a high pressure school and the prepping required for 11+. I want to give him space to do well academically with strong pastoral care, a mixed sex and diverse cohort. No hot housing but good discipline (but not silly rules discipline just calm classrooms).

What I think I’d like is a really good state school but they don’t seem to exist where we are - the grammars would be too demanding and structured even if he could cope with the exams and I’m not keen on the closest school eg there were knives in school (albeit not that recently) and outcomes are below national average.

Any and all ideas are welcome

Depends where you live in north London, which is an area covers 10 miles radius

Where in N London are you and how old is your child.

Thanks starting secondary in 2025. We can travel and would consider moving too so more interested in what options are out there within his needs which we can explore. 😊

UCS. High achieving but not pressurised. Sounds perfect for him.

King Alfred's would be a good fit. Definitely not a hot house, lovely caring school.

Op specified mix sex though

But where in N London 😂 its a very big area. I wouldn't choose King Alfreds unless you have ££££ and don't mind drugs.

Highgate is really not high pressured once you're in. Belmont Mill Hill might suit you but lots aren't happy with Mill Hill further on. Mount House in Barnet is basically a well funded state school and very nurturing.

In the order of 11+ prep require, all nurturing coed independent

Highgate, Bancroft, Millhill Belmont, Mount house, Dwight school.

If consider move why restricted to North London?

There are several less selective mixed independent schools in South London if you're willing to move

Highgate is nurturing but most kids will be tutored for the entrance test.

We want to stay north as our family are that side of town so it works well for us. That’s the main constraint. We live in Islington for those asking.

Have you considered St Mary Magdalene, where he could take the test for one of the Governors’ places?

And thanks so much to everyone for suggestions so far I appreciate it as it’s all new for us.

Portland Place?

If he's clever and you're in Islington try for a governors St Magdalene place and Highgate.

And maybe UCS if you’re near the Overground (Highbury or Canonbury) from which it’s an easy journey.

Oh sorry. UCS not co-ed!

Some Islington children go to Forest School, in Walthamstow, too.