Choosing The Right School - What Actually Matters According to head Parents often start with the same checklist: results rankings reputation But when you listen to heads from: - UCS, Bedales, Francis Holland, South Hampstead High School…the conversation changes very quickly. Start here: schools are communities. This sounds obvious, but it changes how you choose. Instead of asking: - How good is this school? Start asking: - What kind of community is this? Will my child feel comfortable here?...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Would My Child Suit A Highly Academic School? What the Heads Actually Said There’s a question almost every parent asks at some point: “Is my child right for a highly academic school?” At the Independent Schools Show, I listened to heads from Latymer Upper, Highgate, American School London, alongside voices from UCS, and Francis Holland. What was striking wasn’t agreement. It was the differences in how they define “academic”, “fit”, and even “success”. One of the clearest messages came from...
6 days ago • 2 min read
Spotlight on…Lord Wandsworth College If you have ever watched Escape to the Country you will be familiar with the “mystery house”: somewhere unexpected but potentially brilliant. Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire is a co-ed, 11-18 school that you have probably never heard of, but is definitely worth a look as an antidote to the high-pressure, boxed in urban schools. Academic results here have been shooting up in recent years; they are also in the top 1% of schools for academic value-added...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Helping Your Child Make The Right Start To Secondary Maths By Arthur Moore So the move has happened and suddenly your child is in Secondary school doing Maths lessons with a new teacher. It can all feel new, freshand exciting but it also feels a little bit intimating and scary. Also you’ve got in a great routine over the past year or two with entrance exams/ 11+/SATs etc and you want to continue that momentum into Secondary school Maths. Well here are a five thing you can do to help your...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Independent School News Over the past few months, there have been some notable developments in the independent sector, particularly here in London. Several smaller schools have sadly announced closures. Old Palace of John Whitgift School in Croydon, which has been educating girls since 1889, shut its doors this summer after finding it could no longer remain financially viable. Other London preps, including The Village School for Girls in Belsize Park and Falcons School in Putney, have also...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Why Mock Exams Matter After our recent mock exam session last Sunday, I was reminded again of just how valuable these experiences are for children preparing for 7+, 8+, 11+, GCSEs and beyond. Parents often ask why mock exams are so important — here are some of the key reasons: A true test under pressure – A child who performs confidently at home or in lessons may react very differently in an unfamiliar setting, under timed conditions, surrounded by other children. Mocks highlight how well...
8 months ago • 1 min read
A New Chapter Begins As the new school year gets underway, I would like to take a moment to congratulate the students who sat their entrance exams last year and have now begun their first term at their new schools. This is a wonderful milestone, and it is the result of a great deal of hard work, perseverance, and determination. Preparing for these exams requires commitment not only from the children themselves but also from the families supporting them, and it has been a privilege to watch...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Navigating The Shifts In London’s Private School Scene - What Parents Need To Know By Ilana King If you’re a parent with a child in the private school system — or thinking about heading down that path — you may have noticed some unsettling headlines lately. A number of independent schools across the UK, including right here in London, have announced plans to close their doors. Understandably, this is causing worry for families who value the benefits of a private education. But it’s also part...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
Is The 4+ Entry Point Right For Your Child? By Wendy Frankel 4+ assessments have always been controversial. When I mention socially that I prepare 3-year-old children for independent school assessments, it provokes a range of responses from confusion and disbelief from the uninitiated, to fascination and interrogation from those considering it. With many selective independent schools reducing or sometimes abandoning their 7+ intakes, the 4+ is becoming an increasingly popular entry point. So,...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
