Independent School in London

[mljainldn]

Me and my family just moved back to the UK this summer from Hong Kong and my 16 yr old son is currently in the lower sixth boarding school but is extremely miserable. We hope to move him to an independent co-ed day school in London and realised that it is an extremely challenging situation. We are looking for schools with a cosmopolitan demographic, nurturing and with good but not overly strict discipline. Most importantly, a school that is genuine care about the wellbeing of children. Both me and my husband are unfamiliar with schools in London after being away for 30 years, and we could only rely on information on the internet but worry that we might make the wrong decision. We wish to reach out to all mums and dads with young teenage children on this forum, and would be most grateful if you could please share with us any recommendations and reputable schools that you may have in mind. Any feedback and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Is he willing to retake? Very difficult to move mid A Levels. What's the problem at his current school? Is he academic?

Honestly, there aren’t that many co-ed private day schools in London and they would tend to be full by the start of sixth form and not have occasional places. You might find a space more easily at a private sixth form college like Eaton Square or Ashcroft but I don’t know much about them. Eaton Square sixth form is brand new and so might be more likely to have space.

any location preference? You could check Thames Christian School, Northbridge House, Hampton Court House. I imagine it is too late for more selective schools like Emanuel / Harrodian but you could ring them anyway and ask. I am sorry your son is having a bad experience at boarding school, that must be tough for him.

Have a look at Mander Portman Woodward in South Kensington

Depends on A levels choice and exam board.
Is this full boarding or flexible boarding and home at the weekends?
If on half term now, do try and move this term and not wait for next term. 6 weeks to 8 weeks of catch up and not an entire term.

He’s at half board. Studying maths, physics and DT l. Thank you for your kind advice, much appreciated 🙏🏻

We lives on the South side, but willing to travel the distance for a good school that would take him.

We thought about that option but that will be the last on the list😔

Thank you for all these great info, will check them out today🙏🏻. Have contacted both Emmanuel and Harrodian, both are full. 😔

Thank you for the information, will get in touch with them.🙏🏻

Thank you for the information, much appreciated 🙏🏻

Yes, we are willing to travel as long as there’s a good school that would offer him a place. 🙏🏻

Phone Emanuel, Alleyn, Harrodian today and see if they have places. State GCSEs and grades and what A levels he is doing and exam board.
Epsom college, Highgate, Latymer Upper, Ibstock.
Coed but all over London so depends on travel time from home.
Also, ask if DC can move this term.
Otherwise, MPW South Kensington but it is more like a sixth form college.
Not too strict is a feature but how relax? So you need to see if he will be going all day type or only just for classes? Some have business casual clothes for sixth form, others are wear whatever you want.

Ashbourne College or Collingham College are both independent 6th form colleges in central London.

A couple of cousins of mine went to DLD college so look at that. You’re going to find it easier to find a private six form / tutorial college (crammers as they used to be called) than a school sixth form. That might work well for him - smaller international cohort, rather than a bunch of kids that have been together for ever.

DLD College is another option: https://www.dldcollege.co.uk/about-us/.

Maida Vale school? Although reports here are not great.

London Park School in Clapham.

Kensington Park School in Kensington.

I thought of London Park School too but I don’t think they have a sixth form yet - it’s still in the works.

I think Fulham School’s sixth form is quite new as well so might have space. They were only a prep school, and then opened a senior school a few years ago so I’m guessing the sixth form may not be full.

How important is co-ed? The co-ed options is south London are particularly in demand, especially as quite a few girls (and boys) move from single sex (especially if they have been in single sex since reception!). If still going co-ed, not much to add to the list above, beyond another couple of options - Kingston Grammar (rather competitive), and Thames Christian (much less so).

If you go north aldenham or Mill Hill May take him

St Dunstan's College. Excellent D and T department. Excellent Sixth form pastoral support. Cosmopolitan and diverse students.

South London has very good state options, have you looked into that?

@mljainldn have your considered another boarding school? What does he not like about his current school?
Maths and DT are strong at Royal Hospital School in Suffolk. For a London day school, you could try Fine Arts College, Hampstead, but not sure if they do DT.

Would you consider him restarting sixth form? It might be considerably easier to find a place if you are not trying to match courses closely.

I think pretty much every co-ed school in easy reach has been mentioned. Even though single sex, look also at Dulwich College (even if only for a point of comparison)

Emanuel would be a good shout if he can repeat lower sixth (but it doesn't have a coach service, so you need to think about what the school run would be like)

"schools with a cosmopolitan demographic"

Highgate or Latymer Upper