Hi TM

not sure how old your children are, but having to get two children in at one time and their age is a consideration. Eg. I love finton house, but put my girls down for it when they were 18 months and we are v unlikely to get a place because it's so popular...and of course we need 2 places..I've also put them down for hornsby house but again on waiting list.

If you want a guarenteed place then you may want to consider schools where the nursery is a feed, e.g. The Roche where children in the nursery get automatic places in the school - but that's probably a bit far for you.

Worth looking at the state schools distances for places offered in the last few years (guess you're near bellville and honeywell?) to see what your likelihood is of being offered a place.

Also worth noting that one person's private school isn't anothers!!!! some are inclusive; others very academic; some have lots of facilities and a broad curriculum; others focus on maths and english to get your child through entrance exams. So definitely worth doing your own homework.

a friend got her child into reception at Dolphin on Northcote Rd this September and she'd only applied in June/July so not every school is so massively oversubscribed

The other option is to go state for the early years and move your dc into the private sector at y3 - there's always a lot of movement in and out of London and all the schools take children in at different points other than the usual start times

Thank's all for the advice. This forum is great! My little boy is just 3 months but I guess I need to get thinking quick! I would be more than happy with a state school but annoying think I fall just outside of the catchment for Ravenstone and Henry Cav, though obviously a lot can change in the next few years. I think that it would be good to be on a private waiting list just in case.

Alternatively, if you are too late for the first come, first served schools (Eton House, Finton, Hornsby) you can try for the selective ones where the little ones have to have an interview - Broomwood, Thomas' and all the schools in Dulwich work on this basis.

Yes, I can confirm that as soon as your child is born, you need to put his/her name down. And I would do this for all the private schools you are considering.

I registered our daughter at Hornsby House in June 2008 when she was 8 months old. We are now on the waiting list for September 2011. I did it a bit earlier for Finton House and was told that there was absolutely no chance that we would get in, we are too far down the waiting list.

Of course, you can also hope that you'll get into one of the very good state schools we have around here. For these, there are no pre-registration, it all happens at the same time for everyone.

Balhamite, yes, I think pretty much from birth to get into Hornsby House. I put my daughter down when she was 11 months old, she is born in April, and we didn't get a place. It depends on when your child is born in the school year. I think we might have got a place if we hung on in there but we opted to play it safe and choose another school.

I just wanted to add that I have been through the agonising process of choosing a school for my child who starts next September. I have had many sleepless nights over this but we have now very happily found the right school for her. There are a great number of excellent schools in this area, we are spoiled for choice, although the competition for the places is pretty fierce. I would wholeheartedly reccomend that anyone thinking of shools should visit as many of them as they can. I don't think there are any shortcuts to be had on this one. We had heard many horror stories and rumours about various schools (mostly I'd say in hindsight from parents backing their own choices) but all of the schools we visited were great for different reasons, and it's just a case of working out which one suits your child and family best. Good luck!

Just out of interest how far in advance do you need to put your name down on the waiting list for Hornsby House - are we talking from birth?

My post was an ironic reference to the lenghty discussion we had on the Belleville consultation and the various admission criteria that are being considered.

I was just thinking that if you are a parent of twins (not my case), not being able to go to a state school is even more of a bad news as the cost of a private school for two children the same year is really a scary thought.

Just trying to be sympathetic really, that's all.

Monaco, I intrigued to know why you think twins have more right to a place in a state school than any other child, most of whom come from families whose only option is to send their children to state schools.

A little bit further away, but still accessible is Newton Prep.

Newton Prep is a selective school that caters to bright & inquisitive children. The school goes up to Y8, with some girls staying on after Year 6. The class sizes are small and specialist teaching starts at Year 3. The facilities are impressive and the school is going through an expansion at the moment. The school sounds as if it may be intimidating, but it has a really laid back feeling to it. My kids have thrived there and we're pleased with our decision. The teaching staff is excellent and has always been incredibly helpful with any problems that may arise.

We live between the commons and take the train from Clapham Junction each morning to Battersea Park Rail station, so the commute isn't bad.

I would suggest going and checking out all the private local schools and getting a feeling for them. It depends upon what your children are like and where they will thrive.

Twinmum,re the fees, there can be quite a big difference between them so definitely worth looking at that (and considering the breadth of the uniform (e.g. do they have special uniform hats, gloves socks etc or just a basic uniform requirement) and the extras the school organises, such as location of school trips -some will go to Wales/France and others South Africa/Peru for example. Especially important as it will be times two for you!

This is very boring but I have finally come to the conclusion that if I had sent my children to any of the local independent schools or any of the good state schools nearby they would have an equally good education and be very happy.

I am a Hornsby Mum and I love Hornsby house school but with friends with children at virtually every other school in the local area I really cannot see a massive difference between any of them and the one I chose. It all comes down to really niggly details that can change year by year. I believe the home environment is far more important for determining what your children end up doing.

Go with your gut instinct or the school closest to your front door and you won't go far wrong! In my humble opinion!!

Our son is registered at Eaton House The Manor. He will be going there from nursery through pre-prep and prep. We went to the opening day last weekend and was very impressed with the facilities and teachers. But what really made me believe we made the right decision, was seeing the confidence and politeness of the current pupils who showed us around. The school has a great feel to it.

Tell you what, that should be another rule for schools admission policy (see other thread on that): multiple children should get priority in state schools

(I am not a mother of twins nor triplets, just one daughter)

Is there much in it, in terms of fees or are they all eye-waterers? Good shout though, buying 2 of everything is bad enough so am really hoping we get into a state school near us!