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EDUCATION AMANDA CONSTANCE GIVES HER TOP TEN TIPS ON FINDING THE RIGHT SCHOOL
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a Plan B. Henrietta Barnett, for example, has ten children competing for every one place, whereas most London private schools have just four children for every one place.
hether your child is still in utero (yes, really) or just switching schools for A-levels, these ten tips will help you find the right school for your child.
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No decision is finite. ‘There are many official transition points,’ says Freedman, ‘such as at three to four years, seven, eleven, 13 and 16, but it can often be easier to move your child mid-term.’
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Plan ahead. According to Lisa Freedman, managing director of independent educational consultancy At The School Gates, lack of planning is the biggest mistake parents make. She also reveals that she has some clients who start thinking about schooling before their child is even a twinkle in his father’s eye. ‘People who succeed are those who plan from birth,’ says Freedman, who believes this to be highly sensible. ‘Getting your child into the right school early helps as one school does tend to lead to another.’
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If your child is at a state primary and you want them to get into a good state secondary in London, Freedman’s advice is straightforward. ‘Move to within one kilometre of the school, go to the local church and coach!’ At The School Gates, 020 8341 6463; attheschoolgates.co.uk
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Be very aware of deadlines. When registering, remember that every school is different, so don’t get caught out. Many schools, for example, only take children who are registered in their first year of birth. Phone and find out.
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Read the admissions criteria. It would be a shame not to get in because you haven’t read the small print.
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Don’t worry! There is great anxiety surrounding schooling, particularly with parents starting their 3-4 year olds on the independent education escalator in hyper-competitive London. ‘Don’t feel it is the end of the world if your child doesn’t get in to the school of his choice at this age,’ says Freedman. ‘Most London prep schools are really very good.’
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If you want to be sure of a place at a London prep school, go for an academically non-selective one such as Norland Place, Wetherby or Pembridge Hall. With schools like
this, it’s simply a case of first come, first served. ‘Some of the best preps are still non-selective’, says Freedman, ‘so it’s just a case of getting there first.’
Cranmore School
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If you’ve got a boy in Years 5 or 6, consider boarding. There is a shortage in supply for secondary transfer in London, especially for boys, due to the fact that historically they were sent away to boarding schools. The number of places for boys in the capital’s schools has also recently decreased, as more previously boys-only schools, such as Latymer Upper, are now co-ed.
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ooking for a prep school for your son but want to avoid the competitive capital? Cranmore, a single-sex prep school in Surrey, was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted earlier this year, making it a more-than-attractive alternative for London parents.
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Cranmore School, Epsom Road, West Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT24 6AT, 01483 280340; cranmoreprep.co.uk
If you are moving your child from a state primary to an independent secondary school, start coaching in Year 5 to ensure success.
Go for grammar, but have a private back up. London has some superb grammar schools but beware, most grammars are highly selective and start the vetting process early – be prepared by Year 5. And you need
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