Schools like King Alfred’s, St Chris etc

[Anygoodidea]

Hello I’m thinking about secondary for DS who is extremely bright but with mild dyslexia I don’t want to put him through London 11+ exams.

We loved KAS. The whole ethos and, facilities eg. but know it’s a tiny intake so I am looking at other options.

We’re not happy with the local schools and think we got it really wrong with his state primary so want the choice of finding the right fit to his personality and abilities offered in the independent sector. The school would need to be commutable schools from Finsbury Park.

St Chris is an option. Aldenham looks good on paper but not practical via public transport. Any other views?

Oooooh think I’ll check the open day!

I think you get what I’m trying to describe. I want a school that can afford to be relaxed without that giving rise to bad behaviour; rather than a school that try’s to limit bad behaviour by being strict and rigid and had driving on the academics.

Yea I get what you mean and I kind of worry that you'll find KAS a bit too relaxed. I think you'd hate QE if you like KAS. I think Latymer is like an academic version of KAS. KAS is brill if your DS fits in, but their take on bullying and behaviour just didn't sit with us. DD actually sat the 11+ assessment there and loved it but it just wasn't for us in the end, not that she got an offer but still. We wouldn't have accepted.
I'm not sure your DS will get the academics you're after either. It's very child led which rarely works for dyslexics. But some swear by it.

I think you'll like Mount House. We chose it specifically for its relaxed and lovely reputation. The entrance exam is just to test the kids' level rather than be selective. The school has loads of extra-curricular activities, great trips and a broad choice of GCSE subjects and a lot of kids with SEN.

My daughter used to be terrible academically but now in Year 9 is doing extremely well and is on course for top grades. We're very happy with the school.

I also like King Alfred’s - surprised by the suggestions of what I consider to be the total opposite school, Latymer! I am also not keen on 11+ stuff and won’t do that. I’m a bit put off by KA’s 11+ admission process so don’t think we’ll apply because I don’t want my child to feel like they’ve “failed” at age 10.

I’ve booked a tour into Halycon International School. I don’t know much about it yet, but found it on a thread looking for progressive schools. Might be worth a look?

@Schollyyyy I wouldn't say latymer is a totally opposite school. It's very relaxed and pretty informal inside, albeit obviously academic.

Hi @Schollyyyy could you please link to the thread on progressive schools?

St Chris was run by Quakers for many years and adopted their whole-child approaches. This is when it might have been described by some as "alternative". For a long time however, it's fair to say that many schools (private and state) have offered much better pastoral care, support for SEN, teaching and learning, facilities, and wrap-around care, not to mention results. St Chris has been a "Good" school in a local sea of "Excellent" (ISC) or "Outstanding" (Ofsted) for a long time. There has also been a high level of staff turnover (3 Heads in the past 5 years). IMO the schools in North London mentioned here by others are more worthy of your focus.