no places in any school what to do next!!! so worried!!! Post Reply

[whitecloud]

Ciao, I'm a mom of 2 children, 8 and 9. The youngest has got a place into honeywell but the eldest as for now has no offers from any other school. I'm so worried and honestly don't know what to do, the whole state-school system is very slow and in this I'm quite alone as my husband works and travels a lot! Is there any suggestion out there??? Home schooling seems a possibility but then she will loose on the social aspect, plus we just relocated from another country and she still has no friends. We were thinking of indipendent schools, but the only one close by that allows me to bring both children to school and pick them is St. Thomas, Broomwood rd. How is it? thanx for any suggestion!!!

[nvmof3]

Hi Mizcloud, Poor you. I'm afraid I have no solution but just wanted to let you know that most private schools start the day around 8am so actually you could get to quite a lot of private schools before getting back to Honeywell for 9am, and I think, for a 9 year old, some end later in the day too. There is Broomwood Hall, Dolphin School, Thomas', Oliver House, Parkgate, Eaton House Girls all quite near where you live (I assume you must be near Honeywell). I think Oliver House has priority for Roman Catholics too which might help given you are Italian. I think they are all probably pretty full, but you never know if someone might have left London from that year group. And keep trying on the state schools as places do come up from time to time.
Good luck!

[whitecloud]

Hi Mizcloud, Poor you. I'm afraid I have no solution but just wanted to let you know that most private schools start the day around 8am so actually you could get to quite a lot of private schools before getting back to Honeywell for 9am, and I think, for a 9 year old, some end later in the day too. There is Broomwood Hall, Dolphin School, Thomas', Oliver House, Parkgate, Eaton House Girls all quite near where you live (I assume you must be near Honeywell). I think Oliver House has priority for Roman Catholics too which might help given you are Italian. I think they are all probably pretty full, but you never know if someone might have left London from that year group. And keep trying on the state schools as places do come up from time to time.
Good luck!

thanks so much for your kind words and suggestions.

I'm looking right now at the closest independent schools and on monday I will go and get info. Beetween thomas', parkgate and dolphin which is reputed the best? thanx

[nvmof3]

I have children at none of them, but I would say Thomas' has the best reputation academically of those three. It is considered to be quite pressured academically for the kids but has amazing facilities. Dolphin is more nurturing, smaller but has pretty basic facilities. I don't know very much about Parkgate except it is meant to be quite small. I've never been round it.

[Happymama]

Ciao! Sei italiana? Just in case you aren't I will write in English....

Try eaton house...such a lovely girls school with fantastic facilities and a nice international feel despite being very traditional. We are very happy there and there is an early room in the girls school at no extra charge (from 8am) have a look!

Ciao!

[nvmof3]

Also I think Eaton House girls only opened about four years ago so are more likely to have some space in the older years I would have thought.

[nvmof3]

Also I think Eaton House girls only opened about four years ago so are more likely to have some space in the older years I would have thought.

[emmakl]

HI!
We have 2 children at Dolphin (year 4 and year 1) and couldn't be happier! We moved our eldest from a State school at the end of Year 2 and the progress he has made since then has been astounding (he is dyslexic and dyspraxic) Our youngest is currently at Noah's Ark (the nursery connected to Dolphin) and due to start at Dolphin next September!

Do go and have a look! The school spent a LOT of money on an extension which came into use last year and they do have much better facilities than they did. The children play on the common during the day and much use is made of local facilities, even if it means travelling to them. The staff are all fantastic and the atmosphere in the school is extremely warm, friendly and nuturing - I can't recommend it highly enough!

Hope that helps! Do feel free to ask if I can help with anything else!

[Vives09]

Hi mizcloud, you should be in quite a good position to get your eldest into Honeywell if your youngest is there already. If one child is in then that puts the other child very high up the list under the sibling rule and places very often come up through the year as families leave or circumstances change.

If you're in a position to home educate could you do that until a place comes up?

[mother1234]

Broomwood Hall is also very close to you. There's also Finton House. If you do a mumsnet and nappyvalleynet search on the schools, you'll probably get a pretty good picture of their reputations. I think they're all very good it's just down to personality and preference. Broomwood (less formal) and Thomas's have a screening process which I think helps to make sure children are well suited to the culture and Eaton House and Finton House do not and work on a first come basis. I have heard of people in your situation getting spots with a little bit of luck and relationship building with the registrars but I would imagine that each sçhool is very different.

[BeautyTherapistMummy]

Hi ladies,

Was just browsing the comments as I'm in a similar boat, since moving from one borough to here, my children are still awaiting a space in this borough therefore we have an annoying commute everyday.

Only thing on your part, I would also suggest writing to the admissions team expressing the urgency of the matter and even copying in the local mp if needs be as your child has no education at all.

If you let them know you can afford private schooling I doubt they will see your case so urgent.

Whatever next step you choose, I wish you every success!

Take care

[whitecloud]

wow!!

thanx so much for your nice replies and useful suggestions!

My eldest child she's first on the list for both belleville and honeywell (sibling policy). We honestly prefer to send them to state school for many reasons (although they come from an international school in Rome) so for now I'll probably wait another week to see if something comes up and then have to make a big decision between home schooling and independent!

will let u know...xxx

[whitecloud]

Hi,

hurray finally all set now!
My eldest in Belleville, youngest in Honeywell...I am really really happy but now always running

[Vives09]

Glad to hear it's all gone well!

[whitecloud]

Glad to hear it's all gone well!

Yes, really glad!!!

thanx