Looking to return from abroad to Yr 7 in 20025

[StupidFarang]

We are from UK but have lived abroad for all my DD's life, she has always been in international schools.
She's just about to start Yr 6 and we are considering (not definite though) return to UK for her to start Yr 7 next year.
The job I am considering would be based close to Victoria station in London. We are not overly bothered about area as long as pleasant and not too horrendous a commute to Victoria. The biggest concern is schools for DD so asking here for some advice.
We would prefer state but I don't think it would be fair on DD to deal with the uncertainty of applying from overseas so we will probably go independent until she finishes Year 11. And this means applying over the next couple of months and also preparing DD for the 11+.
So asking here for some advice on schools and 11+. DD is clever and bright and has been on the gifted programme at her (non-selective) school (she's particularly high performing in literacy, less so in maths but still above average). However, she has had zero prep for the 11+. I'm also not looking for an uber competitive or selective school - I think the results of the supposedly high performing schools aren't necessarily relfective of the school itself but the fact that they are selective and have very involved parents with access to resources. DH and I are also not from rich backgrounds so don't want a snobby school either.
Basically I want a caring and friendly school. 100% my top priority. I firmly believe that if DD is happy at school, everything else will fall into place. Academics are important but I'm sure she'll do well in any decent school. I also want a non-religious/non denominational one. I could see DD doing well in a girls' school but don't feel strongly either way.
Given the cost of applying and since we aren't 100% sure of the move, we probably would look to apply to three or four schools - is that normal?
Can anyone suggest schools for us that will meet our needs?
Is there anywhere to see the ratios for 11+?
How can we best prepare DD for the 11+ given she's had zero prep and her school obviously don't prepare them either?

Thanks for any advice! I'm so worried about this potential move because DD is so happy and settled at her current school and doig so well - and it's such a hard age to move too.

Streatham & Clapham High School (girls, private) is about 20 minutes by overground straight into Victoria.

If you settled thereabouts, you could also try for one of the Dulwich private schools and maybe a couple of state schools too(?) There are a couple of decent state girls' schools in reasonable distance and also Graveney, which has a partial grammar intake but is mixed.

Yeah, that's definitely an option . There seem a whole bunch of GSDT schools which might work: Surbiton, Sutton, Croydon,Putney Wimbledon, even further east in Syndenham and Blackheath. Then JAGS in Dulwich I saw as well.
But be good to get an idea of how competitive they are and how friednly the school is/the pastoral care? We can't visit now so it's all by internet - and they alll seem great.

I can commute up to an an hour, ideally with max one change along the way. I'm an ex-Londoner so not fazed by a commute. 100% top priority would be the right school for DD.

My DD is in her 11th year at a GDST school (Y8 currently) & I have to say the pastoral care is second to none. I would suggest starting a thread on here asking GDST parents their thoughts and you will probably get some good honest feedback.

If we were to move, I wouldn’t hesitate to transfer DD to another GDST school. I love the whole girls first ethos and the strong feminist vibe.

Also looking central and north and thinking of City of London, Haberdashers, NLCS. Channing, Francis Holland as well as GDST like Northwood, Palmers Green, Notting Hill, South Ham
But still worried about how academically competitive and pressured these schools are.

@StupidFarang , why don't you subscribe to the good schools guide? Of course NLCS and City are going to be competitive because they are 2 of the top performing girls schools in the U.K.
I would find an online tutor who can assess your dd and work out how much help she will need with exam prep and then go through the websites and mark down the types of entrance exams and dates because some of them start in November. Many of the dd your daughter will be competing against will have spent this summer doing packs of practice papers. You can get sample exam papers from some school websites too. You can also buy books from Amazon, search on MN for more tips.

If you actually prefer state, then why don’t you send her to a state school! There isn’t really more uncertainty with state schools than the private school process that you are describing.

I can do that. Is GSG a good guide? I know in our country the reviews of the international schools are a bit rubbish and all very positive so I wouldn't spend on that kind of review.

I don't know it personally but was going to suggest Sutton High. I understand it is a bit less competitive than Wimbledon and Surbiton. It's fairly near Sutton station and trains from there run to Victoria in about 30/35 mins. Housing is on the more affordable side (for London!). You could also choose other areas to live e.g. Cheam and your DD could get a bus.

There will be uncertainty if they are not back until next summer to apply.

There is some uncertainty both with private school applications and state school applications. But the OP would prefer state!

She also doesn’t want a snobby school (and state schools tend to be much less snobby than private schools).

You need to apply for a state school place with a UK address by end of October. Some registration deadlines for 11+ will have passed already and state 11+ tests for selectives such as in Kent and Sutton take place in September, private from autumn half term until early in the new year. Look at the train connections into Victoria from Kent, Surrey, South London and even Sussex.

GDST, lots of girls from junior schools so friendships based on those early years or netball or hockey camps with other London girls. Does your daughter go to an only girl school or Coed? Asking this because a major move in new country, new school and if she is in coed a major shift to single sex. We know some parents happy with GDST, but also those not happy but topping up with tutors or parental support to get marks. This depends on your family and work time commitment. There seems to be a few going to coed boarding or coed in Year 9.

If you prefer state, I say rent near catchment area and go state.

Good school guide and exam paper plus. Deadlines for open days and applications are approaching.
Check out London Pre Prep website.
Check out ISI.net, independent school report like OFSTED for state.

Because we will miss all the application deadlines and will get allocated only what's left over when we actually move (ideally summer 2025). You can't apply to state schools from overseas but you can apply to independent schools and follow the applications process like everyone else.

@HawaiiWake
She's in a co-ed school. But I can see her doing well in an all-girls school. I'd consider both.

I'm a bit nervous about independent schools and not fitting in with the vibe. I went to state schools and DH did too (he's not from UK so it's a totally different beast for him)/ And I'm a bit suspicious of these high performing schools being so selective - of course you're going to be high performing if you can cream off the most able kids.

Also, while we can afford independent, it means using savings as currently school fees are covered by my employer. But that's OK, we can do that.

But I don't want the uncertainty of waiting until July to see what places are left over in state. That won't work for us at all. I wouldn't move under those conditions.

Have you factored the 20% VAT into fees?

It would need a closer look at travel time, but I know people with children at Sevenoaks and they are happy.

yes, and increases, uniform, extra curricular activities etc. I'm aware it's pricey but we budgeted (and we'll save on not paying overseas fees when she goes to uni :) )

@StupidFarang , do consider both and visit schools in Open days. London days schools are more competitive to get in so most apply to 5 schools or more. Different schools, different exams styles and focus so check their website for sample papers. London day schools girls are not like girls boarding schools and so you need to see if this would suit your DC.
English, Maths, VR and NVR.
Check online Atom for free use for 7 days. VR and NVR is about getting familiar with questions styles.
Coed, Alleyn, Emanuel, Latymer Upper.
City of London Girls, Francis Holland Sloane Sq, JAGS, Queen Gate, Queen College. Check out 11+ London consortium.

Is there anywhere which shows how selective the schools are? Would that be in the GSG with a subscription? It'd be good to get a yardstick of where DD might be in this although she won't have been prepped at all other than what we might do now.
Any independent schools which are non-selective? DD's current school is non-selective and I don't quite get how all these schools can be so selective to be honest. Surely there are some kids in the independent sector who aren't so clever! I want a happy school with good teaching, not the most selective (really don't get the point - not every kid can be good at everything!).

Year 6 Primary Teacher here.

Ancedata from the last 10 years would suggest that of our 15 girls who apply for independent, 1 gets into SPGS/City, 2 into JAGS/G&L/Putney/LEH, 3 into Latymer, 4 into FHSS and 5 into Queens Gate/Queens College/More House/Knightsbridge.

We are too central for Streatham + Clapham/Surbiton/Sydenham/LEH/NLCS.

Surbiton is selective but a fantastic school with great pastoral care (DD just finished Y7). DD is thriving - also better at literacy than maths (and still got in) and they are amazing at supporting her maths and she has progressed well with a lot of positive encouragement, excellent teaching and positive support (maths booster clubs etc) - they are happy embracing girls with a 'spiky' academic profile - as you say, not everyone is excellent at all things! Lots of extracurricular clubs, music and sports on offer. It was a switch from co-ed to all girls but she likes it, commented that lessons as less disrupted. She didn't know anyone at all going into the school but has lots of friends now (usual ups and downs with finding their feet and friends in Y7 but we've heard that from all Y7 parents whether state or private).

Other non/ less selective schools our friends children go to and are really happy are Radnor House or Ewell Castle.

@StupidFarang , there are schools in the areas you are looking to suit all abilities which is why you need to apply for a selection. If you were moving to somewhere like York it would be more straightforward with a handful of options.
You will need to either pay for an online tutor / Atom online package or an educational consultant plus you need to start paying the registration fees for the schools so I would start with getting her assessed online by a private school 11 plus entry tutor to see how much work she needs to do to be exam ready. Or at least start with Atom.

yeah, quickly realising we need an educational consultant. I'm over my head!

https://www.londonpreprep.com

This may help since they are London focus. As another MN post, London is very different to York.