Secondary schools London - Aldenham, ucs, St Paul’s

[viio]

Hi anyone currently with children in any of the above schools. I have one child with auditory processing visual but highly capable in some subjects, another in top sets for most subjects. I am looking at the above schools but no idea of where to put them or what to consider.

I don’t fancy ucs (my friends child is looking to move due to bullying) but my child wanted to explore it as an option. Aldenham college seems great socially but not sure how are they with academics as the advice I was given is several years old…

any suggestions please or if anyone has children if any of those schools.

thank you 🙏

You couldn't get two more different private schools than St Paul's and Aldenham. Located literally miles apart (Aldenham isn't even in London), one at the very peak of academic attainment one very much mixed ability (although pastorally very strong).

Think about where you live, what you want and what's realistic. If your son is at a Prep you'd be best asking them what they advise.

Thank you. I am looking for schools for two very different children hence such mix. Both very able but one with APD so wouldn’t pass English for more academic schools.

Ps perhaps I should clarify that I have done research and have the information re other schools like Highgate, Habs etc and know parents with children there. I don’t know any parents with children at Aldenham (which I am considering for my child with APD) and pastoral care is very important.

My other child would thrive anywhere he is in top sets (highly able in maths) and is a bit like lizard adopting to different environments very easily. Whilst I would like him to be in a nurturing and not highly pressured environment (plenty of time for that in life) he has expressed a wish to try ucs or other more academic schools…. So we are doing research and asking what's it like in such schools.

Any parents views with children there would be super helpful. Thank you 🙏