Local Schools with strong sports and academic bent? Post Reply

[stjames88]

Hello, we will be moving to the UK in the Spring, so have missed all school enrolment periods. We have 2 kids to get into school, and one into preschool. We would prefer a state school (mainly because we have lived in a region where 'you don't really do' private until later so it is a hard mental bridge for us to cross - but we also aren't ruling it out). 

We are aware of Honeywell and Belleville, but are there any independent/private schools or Balham schools that come as well recommended? For a very sporty and academic 8 yr old boy and an arty, creative younger sister?

(We also understand the challenges of getting into school at all right now in lockdown and also the challenge in general even without that, when we haven't had them on the wait list for years. But we have not other option unfortunately, unless anyone has any tips or ideas). 

Thanks so much in advance!

[schools]

Hi

Congratulations on your upcoming move. Have you contacted Wandsworth Council yet as they should be able to advise on the process and possibly where there are places? We applied from abroad a few years ago and they were very helpful. There are excellent state schools in Balham. Rutherford House, Ravenstone, Henry Cavendish, Telferscot to name a few.

Rutherford House is the one I know and it is a great school and I would say definitely both academic and sporty. They don't have a Nursery though. Depending on your daughters age and the hours you need you could look at Balham Nursery School and Children's Centre which is an amazing state nursery.

Good Luck!

[ThamesChristianSchool]

Hi @stjames88

We have had lots of wonderful children join us from Honeywell and Belleville over the years.

We would also very much recommend some of our other fantastic feeder schools such as Dolphin School (great for sport and art), Finton House (sporty)- both in Clapham, Eveline Day school in Balham (very artistic) and also Wandsworth Prep (great creative department)


We hope that everything goes really well with the move and that you manage to find the perfect school for your son and daughter.

Thames Christian School x
 

[Emmabbb]

My children go to a wonderful private school in Wandsworth called the roche. Very sporty and small classes (14-18 usually) and small sets. Really nurturing and academic at the same time and the online zoom lessons have been brilliant. I would really recommend seeing it. Good luck with the move xx

[RossanaE]

I echo the previous comment. Our children go to The Roche School and our youngest also joined the Roche School Nursery as we felts it was even better than the absolutely wonderful nursery where our oldest had previously been.  It is a very sporty school with a wonderful art department led by two talented artists. the academic results are impressive but all in a context of bespoke teaching facilitated by their unique sets system aimed to achieve educational mobility with pupils moving up and down sets to accommodate their specific learning needs at any moment in time. The home learning provision is a few notches up the other schools in the area having compared notes with friends, and a god send at the moment. Visionary leadership adds to the mix as the family school vibe which is all over The Roche! Best of luck with your move x
 

[stjames88]

A huge thank you to everyone who has replied!! It is very hard not seeing the schools and being quite so distant, but such a help to have details. The Roche School sounds very interesting. We hadn't considered living around that area, but will look into that as well as all the Balham schools which sound like they have a great reputation. Thank you!

[Vista321]

Hi. Completely agree with what has been said above about The Roche School.  Add in fantastic pastoral support too.  The Nappy Valley area does have many good school options but you couldn't go wrong with The Roche.  SW18 is also a good place to live, Wandsworth Town is great with a lovely small high street, Southfields also great community feel.   Best of luck x

[Coffeeplease]

Balham schools are wonderful. Both state and private. Our children go to Eveline Day and we find it wonderful. Quite small so not one for you if you want massive grounds but really warm and caring. Fantastic pastoral care and great for the arts.

The wrap around care is best in class. Children can stay until 6:30 pm, all means catered for. They even take them during the holidays from 7:30 - 6:30 (they do fun things, no classroom work). Our children love going to school during the holidays. The only week they close is Christmas. It is a saviour if both of you have to work.

[CharlieBrown]

For a very sporty and academic 8 year old boy, if you are going to pay, I would seek a selective, academic school with facilities, such as Newton Prep. or a normal Prep., such as Eaton House or Northwood Lodge. Broomwood would be great for an arty, creative child, as would any traditional independent school. If you were considering that bit further in Wandsworth, I would look at Prospect House or the smaller Wandsworth Prep. I think you will however find that state schools are perfectly good too and "better" than some of the private schools, especially the less academic ones. Their teachers must adhere to stringent rules set by the government and they are not run on politics or money.

[EBn]

As the parent of a really sporty 9 year old boy and a creative (and sporty) 7 year old girl - I highly recommend Henry Cavendish. They are both stretched at Henry Cavendish, have wonderful teachers, lovely friends and it is a brilliant community.
In terms of sport - in normal times - HC takes this really seriously and has a fabulous sports lead. HC has a highly competitive football team, a swimming pool and do very well in the swimming galas, do an annual all school cross country race. Alongside normal PE.
As one of the previous posters mentioned there are a number of great state schools in Balham and so lots to choose from. People also tend to move around during the later years in primary school so I would imagine you could get a place.