I keep getting asked by readers and clients if it is better to choose a pre-prep and focus on 7+ / 8+ exams, or a prep that goes all the way to 11+ or 13+. I was reminded of this debate on Sunday during a dinner with friends whose daughter is just preparing for her …
7+ vs 11+/13+? Or one school all the way to 18? What is best? Read More »
The Board of Abercorn School has appointed Benedict Dunhill the new Headmaster for Abercorn School. Benedict will be joining Abercorn School in September 2015, following the retirement of Abercorn’s current Headmaster David Morse. Born and educated in the South East at Caldicott School and Cranleigh School, Benedict completed his formal education with a BA degree in …
Most schools have published their 11+ exit results for 2014 by now, while we need to wait another month or two for Common Entrance results, as exams for boarding school entry tend to take place after half-term. But we do have the results from co-educational prep schools already, along with most girls’ schools. Co-ed prep …
Want to put your Mandarin to test? Children will gain experience, build self-confidence and improve their Mandarin through the Hua Hsia Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition! The Chinese Speaking Competition is open to entries until noon on the 20th October 2014. There are 2 categories: Group A (age between 6 and 11 years old), Group B (age …
Whenever you hear people talk about oversubscribed London schools and parents emailing registration forms from the labour ward, chances are they are referring to Wetherby Pre-Prep or its sister school, Pembridge Hall, on Pembridge Square in Notting Hill. While you might hear many stories about it, it is not easy to visit the school, since …
Are you applying for primary school places to start Reception in September 2015? At many oversubscribed London state primary schools, catchment areas have been shrinking in recent years, although there is some relief in select councils. In Richmond, the newly opened Thomson House free school and a bulge class at Barnes Primary helped ease the …
Starting Primary School in 2015: top London state school catchment areas Read More »
Westminster School publishes a list of its 13+ feeder schools, and as a leading boys’ day school in London, it will give parents a very good idea about the top prep schools in London. A large majority of boys (about 50-60 each year) come from the Westminster Under School and its 7+/8+ and 11+ intake (the …
While there are many excellent private (and state) schools in London, there are also quite a few schools that are businesses more than anything else, and I want to highlight a few warning signs that your chosen school is indeed a McPrep, rather than a true school with the primary purpose of educating your child. It’s …
Can you tell a McPrep from an outstanding school? Read More »
It’s been raining for a few days, so I am allowed to talk about the end of the summer holidays and the upcoming autumn term! Are you ready for the next school year! First of all, I have updated the schedule of Open Mornings of London prep schools, including everyone from the Abercorn School to Westminster Under! Make sure you …
Dates to watch for 2014 / 2015 school admissions Read More »
There is a lot of talk about how the cost of private schools has risen in London over the last years, and many parents who planned to send their kids to private schools are not so sure if they can afford it anymore. School fees have risen far above inflation over the last years and …
Have you decided already if you want to go for a state or a private primary school? Are you hearing very conflicting views on this? I talk to parents confused by the views they receive from friends and acquaintances all the time. They range from “private schools for 4 year olds are a waste of money” …
State versus private: which one is right for you? Read More »
The Alpha Plus groups which owns many top prep schools in London (such as Wetherby School, Pembridge Hall, Chepstow House and Falcons) have announced the creation of a new boys’ senior school in London, which will be known as Wetherby Senior School. The school will open in September 2015 and will form part of the …
Alpha Plus Group expands Wetherby School and Chepstow House Read More »
Don’t you love it when you look at league tables for the “best London state primary schools” and all you can find is lots of voluntary aided Roman Catholic (RC) and Church of England (CofE) schools that you have no hope of ever getting into because of church attendance criteria? Thank God, some voluntary aided …
You may or may not have studied the census data for your borough, but if you are intending to apply for a school place (state or private) in the coming years, I would recommend you have a look! As soon as the census data 2011 was published for my borough, I made sure to put …
I recently wrote about my favourite early music activities in London and mentioned that I would love to attend a BACH TO BABY concert soon. Founded by pianist Miaomiao Yu after becoming frustrated at not being able to take her children to the sort of quality classical music concerts that she regularly enjoyed as a …
This ranking is based on on the average point score per pupil in the 2013 SATS results for Year 6 children in England. The highest performing London boroughs for state primaries, as measured by pupil achievement in English, Maths and Sciences are: 1. Richmond 30.4 2. Kensington and Chelsea 29.7 3. Greenwich 29.2 4. Wandsworth 29.2 …
Where in London should you move for the best state primary schools? Read More »
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a great break! I spent some time during the holidays looking at classes my little ones can attend in the Spring term, now that the eldest is 3 there are more and more options. She loves music and dance so I have always looked at a wide …
