Down to earth private primaries Post Reply

[vmreboll]

We’re moving back to London in a years time, and I’m looking for schools for my boys (6 and 4 yo at the moment) in Clapham, Wandsworth, Balham. We would like a private primary, we can afford it, but really concerned about the vibe and if they’re extremely posh. We would love a more down to earth primary, coed, where my DS will thrive, and a good preparation for the 11+. Also, how difficult it is to get a in-year place (we will need a place for year 1 and year 3. And the same school for them, we wouldn’t want to send them to separate schools, even in secondary).

[Abbevilleteacher]

My nieces had a really good experience at Hornsby house in Balham.

I also did teaching practice at Finton House- loved it (18 years ago but I’ve heard really good things about it more recently too...)

Both are co-Ed…

[Coffeeplease]

Eveline Day School and the White House are worth looking into. Very down to earth, workings parents mostly, kids are lovely and really good pastoral care.

[Ramaboo]

Newton Prep in Battersea is definitely worth considering - no hats/blazers/airs. Feels about as informal as a private school can. Very warm atmosphere. Co-ed.

School has great facilities but the somewhat 'urban' setting near railway lines might put off some parents looking for a more traditional 'English school' appearance.  

[nhorne]

Try Dolphin school, off Northcote Road. My son is in Y2 and is thriving there. It’s very down to earth and extremely welcoming.

[WhiteKnight]

The Roche School, in Wandsworth is absolutely lovely and worth looking at.

[Vista321]

Slightly depends on where you’ll live but if in or around Wandsworth, you can’t beat The Roche School. It sounds perfect for what you’re after. Has had many, many fabulous reviews. I’ve been very pleased with it for my child.

[Ambeeeee]

I would second taking a look at The Roche. We went to see a lot of schools throughout the area when I was pregnant with my two. We loved the Roche. Now nearly 8 years down, it hasn’t disappointed. Kids really happy and settled there. They are doing really well academically. It has a lovely community. We have met loads of down-to-earth and like minded parents.

[Hardyboys]

I would suggest having a look at Wandsworth Preparatory School too. Lovely small school and my boys are very happy there. They are very down to earth and a reasonably diverse student body, so no snobbiness at all.
Good luck finding the right school for your kids.

[vmreboll]

Thank you very much for your replies. This information is really useful to us. And just to be sure, what do you think about the state schools in the area: Honeywell and Belleville? Is there a massive difference with a private primary school? My main concern is the “snobiness” you can find in a private school (isn’t Prince George attending Thomas’s? How posh could that school be?)

[Anne123]

I remain completely confused by parents needing a down to earth school for their social comfort.  Surely we should all be assessing schools by their educational strengths and ability to challenge and develop our children.  Personally I believe Thomas's must be in an ideal position in that it is able to make great investments in their core teaching practice (by attracting the best teachers) and their facilities which greatly benefit the student population.  

[Vista321]

@Anne123 I would just say that many parents choose schools for way more than academic educational challenge and development. They choose on ethos, values, educational philosophy, diversity, pastoral care, SEN provision (including for those with very high IQ) etc.
Personally, I think The Roche delivers really well on all of the above. Every child feeling happy and nurtured is extremely important in enabling their all round educational achievement and way more so than a flashy parent portal.

[Anne123]

I think you miss the overall point. Facing challenges and exceeding standards creates a mindset for future achievement.  Being told you are great and never being pushed does not help these children after their time at Roche.  And I completely disagree on Roche supporting high achievers.  Resources are significantly diverted to help children to reach average performance (like teaching assistants being moved to help students).  The same can not be set for children who ask for more challenging work - they are not assigned these same resources and are asked to help out the students who are struggling and are asked to wait patiently while the rest of the class catches up.  So this is not true that all students are given the same attention.

[ups and downs]

My brother has 2 children at Hornsby House and sings its praises regularly. We also have our eldest down to go there.

[sask]

Hands down Newton Prep. Academically rigorous, modern, positive environment that is also fairly economically and culturally diverse.