new to london, need help

[greenpeople]

hi, we are moving to london in july and have a dd who is 11 years old. like some parents, we have a problem getting a school for her. this move was only confirmed in end march so ...........

anyway, would like to have your comments on these schools which we hope could take her in. we have checked the websites and inspection reports but would prefer to hear from you. thanks

a) blackheath high school
b) st benedict school in ealing
c) st augustine's priory in ealing
d) putney park school

Know not a thing about these schools except that they are in completely different areas of London and London is a big old place, so you probably need to know roughly where you'll be living before you choose. If you're in Ealing an Ealing school makes sense. Communting to Putney or Blackheath every morning from Ealing would be a total nightmare for an 11 year old, on the other hand. Several tubes or buses or a car drive of around 40 mins minimum (guessing here as not a driver and know nowt re congestion in these areas) would be needed.

hi,

dh's office is in the city of london (ec2) and we are thinking of getting her into a school first and rent a place near it.

these are the few schools which have yet to give us a negative reply so we are just praying.

ealing, blackheath and putney seem to be quite a good residental area for a young family. do you think so?

Yes- they're all lovely places. Very leafy and salubrious and, accordingly, pretty expensive to rent in but I'm guessing that might not be a major issue when you're considering private schools (may be wrong so just thought I'd mention it!). Good luck with finding your daughter a nice school.

I have some knowledge about some of these schools.

St Benedict's has only just gone mixed this year in the senior school although the sixth form has been co-ed for many years, the junior school for one year longer. It's pastoral care is excellent, it has the full range of ability from very able to some children with learning difficulties.. in general more of a range of ability than most schools in West London. It is relatively small for a secondary school so quite intimate and personal.They seem to get very good results considering the range of ability of the children. I haven't heard any complaints from parents.

St Augustine's priory seems quite old fashioned and people either love or dislike it.

Putney park at secondary has a reputation for being much less academic than other schools.

Have you seen the Good School Guide online it really gives some very good reviews which helped us on our secondary school decisions.

hi there,

thanks for the information and yes, i have gone thru the good guide, inspection reports and website. quite a good read, i must admit.

my dc likes st augustine so hope to hear something positive from the schools.

cheers