Schools guide 2016 by NappyValleyNet

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2016/ 17 INSI Ope DE n D Guid ay e

SPECIAL REPORT

WELLBEING

DEALING WITH PRESSURE

24 PAGES OF SW LONDON SCHOOLS, PRE-SCHOOLS & NURSERIES

GENDER GAP

Single sex or co-ed?

NEW NATIONAL EXAMS EXPLAINED

EASING THE PAIN OF PAYING

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO EDUCATING YOUR CHILD IN SOUTH-WEST LONDON nappyvalleynet.com /schools

2016 SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Mark Bailey, High Master, St Paul’s School

Barnaby Lenon, Chairman, Independent Schools Council Adam Pettitt, Head, Highgate School Patrick Derham, Head Master, Westminster School Keith Budge, Headmaster, Bedales Schools Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Buckingham

Unlocking the Answers to Independent Education The Independent Schools Show is the ultimate forum for parents to meet the biggest names in British education. Hear from the brightest thinkers and most respected Heads at the renowned Education Theatre. Speak face-to-face with over 200 of the country’s leading schools, all under one roof in Battersea Park. Saturday 12 November 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday 13 November 10:30 - 16:30 FOR TICKETS VISIT WWW.SCHOOLSSHOW.COM

Ben Thomas, Head, Thomas’s Battersea Jo Heywood, Head, Heathfield School Dr Sarah Wynick, Head of CMHS, The Tavistock & Portman

Ralph Lucas, Editor, Good Schools Guide

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CONTENTS

Last year NappyValleyNet published its very first SW London Schools Guide.

We did this in response to the sheer number of questions posted on our website: education was, and still is, one of the most popular topics among our 385,000 visitors. The reaction was, quite frankly, astonishing, so this year we decided to do it all over again, but even bigger and better. New for 2016 we look at preschool options, local SEN resources and the forthcoming national exam changes, alongside pages of education advice from leading local schools. And that’s in addition to a raft of relevant school profiles, interviews with new incoming heads, guidance on the correct amount of homework, how to help your child cope with exam stress and making the most of school open days and tours. There are also email reminder sign-ups for the most important dates, such as application deadlines and entrance exams.

The Falcons School for Girls

4 Introduction 8 Jargon buster

We hope this guide will help you navigate through your family’s entire education journey and, as always, we would love your feedback on what we can do better next year.

10 Find your local schools 12 Co-ed or single sex? 16 Supply vs demand for school places 18 SCHOOL PROFILE: The Falcons School for Girls

Warmest wishes

19 All change in the education system 22 Homework and revision Founder, The London Magazine Company

24 Early years 30 School fees

Whitgift School

NappyValley Net’s Schools Guide 2016/17 is published by the London Magazine Company Ltd. Company number 9965295 Editor Gillian Upton Contributors Georgina Blaskey, Nicola Woolcock, Sian Griffiths Sub editor Antonia Swinson Listings Danique Hayden Managing Editor NappyValleyNet Charlotte Peterson Design & Artwork eighthouse.co.uk Sales & Marketing Clare Sheta Publisher Susan Hanage While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, The London Magazine Company Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Printed by Elanders Polska Sp Published by The London Magazine Company info@londonmagazinecompany.co.uk

36 SCHOOL PROFILE: Ardingly College 40 Open day guide 46 Q & A with new school heads 51 SCHOOL PROFILE: Eveline Day and Nursery Schools 52 SCHOOL PROFILE: Cumnor House 54 Assessments and special needs 58 SCHOOL PROFILE: The White House 59 Children’s wellbeing 66 School directory 82 Resources

The White House

Cover photograph courtesy of Alleyn’s Junior School by Simon Jones at Bonjour Photography

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INTRODUCTION

FITS AND STARTS Parents living in Nappy Valley have a wide range of schools to choose from but the challenge is to find the one that fits your child perfectly, says Gillian Upton

Ardingly College

A child’s time at school should be a positive, nurturing and beneficial experience, setting them up for their adult life. Both private and state schools in Nappy Valley provide a rich seam to tap into judging by the number rated good and outstanding by the various inspection bodies. However, issues such as exam anxiety, cyber bullying, new-style exams to grapple with from next year, and a continued focus on STEM subjects precluding creativity are hovering just below the surface. These, plus the overriding issue of getting your child into the right school in the first place, occupy the thoughts of parents wanting to do the right thing by their children. To say education is a hot potato is an understatement, not helped by the musical chairs at Westminster over the role of Education Secretary. It’s too soon to say how Justine Greening will fair under new PM Theresa May, but her predecessor Nicky Morgan was less antagonistic than the much derided Michael Gove, who was seen as the scourge of teachers and the liberal left. Gove’s legacy means that any child taking

GCSEs in 2017 will be a guinea pig for his new-style maths and English exams and one can only hope that sixth form colleges and senior schools will make an accommodation for what are far more challenging tests (read the feature on all the changes in our education system on page 19). Increasingly demanding curriculums and busy exam periods feed into the burgeoning private tutoring industry, something Max Blanshard, Founder of TutorMapper, is only too aware. “Each year,” he says, “as the exam period approaches, teachers and parents all over the country can be heard repeating the famous words of Benjamin Franklin: ‘By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.’ As overused as these words may be, preparing well for exams is the best way to boost a child’s confidence and success.” Demanding curriculums and constant testing are also influencing children’s mental and emotional health and schools are putting in place mechanisms to pick up on changes in behaviour before the situation becomes too grave. Teaching mindfulness and how to overcome fear of failure are crucial

Newton Prep

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and some schools have adopted new-fangled US-style programmes created by educational psychologists for everything from how to mark homework to how to teach in class (read all about it in our wellbeing feature on page 59). One antidote to the focus on STEM subjects is to persuade your child to play an instrument, learn a language and encourage participation in team sports. “There is definitely a connection between reading music and mathematics. It introduces another language,” believes Eveline Drut, Educational Director at Eveline Day and Nursery Schools. “Playing an instrument

goes with you for the rest of your life: it enables you to relax, perform, entertain and give pleasure, and lightens your spirit when you are feeling down.” The new thinking is that happy children will learn. Sort out their wellbeing and the rest will follow. At The White House prep school, the teaching of IT provides skills that can be used with whatever technology comes next, but also leads to designing and creating apps and games, explains Headmaster Dan Cummings. “With the tech industry continuing to grow, we have taken a proactive approach to IT,” he says. “Our

IT ALL RESTS ON THE CURRICULUM The choice when selecting your child’s nursery or prep school seems wide. How does one decide on the ethos that suits your family best? Start with the curriculum. What are its approaches to the mastery of mathematical and literary skills and are these above normal expectations? Is the range of subjects and co-curricular activities on offer wide? For example, perhaps in addition to French or Spanish, Latin or Mandarin is offered and the school is clear about the perceived benefits of these subjects. Is the inquisitiveness or critical thinking of pupils nurtured through philosophy for children (P4C)? How are the pupils encouraged to become self-reliant and independent? Perhaps there is mindfulness on offer? There must be something special for your child, supporting learning and fueling their creativity, giving them the confidence to work around a problem, take a risk, overcome challenges and consider their place in the wider world. Source: Streatham & Clapham Prep School

DID YOU KNOW… …THAT AT WHITGIFT, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF GCSES TAKEN IS 10.5? COMPETITIVE SPORT It’s well documented that competitive sport can play an important role in making sure young people have the character and resilience to succeed in the world beyond school. By taking part they learn team skills, how to win and lose, how to come back from defeat, how to persevere and the benefits of trying hard at something. That’s the ethos at schools which encourage everyone to play, whether in the A, B, C, D or even E teams in London’s larger schools, so that they have the buzz of representing their school in a match. This way, every player gets to feel part of something and, if regular fixtures are arranged, the players in the E team usually end up caring just as passionately about their team as the A team. As for parents, supporting on a touchline is a great way to feel the beating pulse of the school. Source: Newton Prep

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Whitgift School

curriculum is designed with the twenty-first century in mind and through our work on block coding and programming children are able to debug and problem solve.” But will your child fare better in a singlesex or co-ed school? Received wisdom is that the sexes fair better when taught apart, particularly during the teenage years, but Nick Baker, Headmaster of boys-only Wetherby School, sends his own sons to a co-ed. “I am no massive cheerleader for single-sex education,” he says. “At prep school level, though, where margins of success and failure with senior school applications are so small, I do think you can gain an (albeit small) advantage when dealing with just boys. It’s a generalisation of course,” he continues, “but boys need structure, direction, constant reassurance and public recognition – girls less so. Girls are more independent learners at an earlier age and mixed in the same class, boys can get left behind if the teaching is not dedicated to their learning needs.” He questions whether, even when classes are mixed at prep/primary age, many of the boys and girls mix with the opposite sex. “My two sons only ever invite boys to play round our house,” he says, “or to their birthday parties – mixing with girls can come later!” Make your own mind up whether girls and boys should be taught together or apart by reading our feature on page 12. Will your child fare better in a state or private school? On the one hand, academics estimate that six years after graduating, private school pupils will be commanding wages that are on average 7% higher than their state school counterparts. On the other

Thames Christian College

STATE VS PRIVATE EDUCATION

Putney High School

hand, the experience of King’s College has lessons for us all. Last year, King’s College School opened its senior school to 11+ entry. The move allowed increased accessibility to the school for all 11-year-olds, regardless of whether they previously attended independent or state junior schools. Following the first year of applications, the school’s experience was that high-quality candidates came from both sectors, and exam results were virtually indistinguishable between the two cohorts. One major factor in choosing to go private is finding the fees. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) concludes that over 14 years, day school fees plus extras for a child starting now will total £286,000. That’s an awful lot of money that could be used for a deposit on a house or your child’s wedding. “Many decide it makes sense to move a child from state to private sector as they transition between primary and secondary schools,” says the annual Killik Private Education Index. It’s make your mind up time. We offer advice on how to find the fees on page 30 and what to look for when you visit prospective schools in our pull-out open days guide on page 40.

The argument about state versus private education is unending. The only certainty is that one size does not fit all. Mixing and matching between the two is one financial solution and may also provide a valuable life balance. The state sector can provide impressive opportunities and often a wider view of society. There are many academically strong state schools too so competition for the best is fierce and it’s common for parents to move house to be within their catchment areas. That said, it’s debatable whether it makes financial sense as the premium parents pay for their houses to be in that area can easily outweigh the savings in schools fees. Independent schools have a higher percentage of pupils going on to higher education than state schools and a higher level of academic care. Extras often include a higher standard of facilities, a broader range of subjects and an earlier start with foreign languages. So even going private just for the sixth form could be hugely beneficial for your child. Of course, supporting a child at either state or independent school with private tuition will ensure that they access one-to-one teaching. Source: Bonas MacFarlane

THE WHITE HOUSE P R E PA R AT O R Y S C H O O L & THE WOODENTOPS NURSERIES Open Day: Saturday, 26th November 9.30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11.30am THE WOODENTOPS NURSERIES Babies from 6 months SW3 | SW12

THE WHITE HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 2.5-11 years Co-Educational SW12

www.woodentopsnurseries.com

www.whitehouseschool.com

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JARGON BUSTER Our glossary defines the different school types and all the terms associated with our education system

Academy schools Publicly funded schools run by an academy trust which employs the staff. They don’t have to follow the national curriculum but do have to follow the same rules on admissions, Special Educational Needs (SEN) and exclusions as other state schools. Boarding schools Schools where pupils study and live during the school year. They can be single sex or coeducational and the majority are fee paying. Common Entrance The name for the exams taken in English, maths and science in year 6 (plus humanities, languages and classical subjects in year 8) to gain entrance to senior independent or private schools at 11+ and 13+ respectively. The exams are marked by the senior school for which the candidate has applied. Common Entrance is usually the preferred entrance approach for more traditional boarding schools, often called public schools. Community schools State-funded schools or colleges where the local council is responsible for the admissions policy. Day schools Schools where children are educated during the day, after which they return home. Faith schools Schools associated with a particular religion. They follow the national curriculum and priority is given to those children attending a place of religion or worship.

Free schools Schools funded by the government but not run by the local council. They can be set up on a not-for-profit basis by teachers, parents, charities or community and faith groups and have more control over how they are run, so don’t have to follow the national curriculum, for example. Free schools include university technical colleges and studio schools. Foundation schools State-funded schools in which the governing body has greater freedom in the running of the school than a community school. They own their own assets, employ their own staff and are their own admission authorities. Grammar schools Academically oriented secondary schools in the state system operating selective intake by means of entry tests. Of the 164 left in England, 19 are in Greater London. International Baccalaureate (IB) An international educational foundation headquartered in Switzerland. Originally designed for the children of globetrotting diplomats, IB offers four programmes, the most popular in the UK being an alternative to A levels in the shape of a broaderbased two-year diploma. International schools These promote an international education (often the IB, see above) and cater for students who are not nationals of the host country. The Council of International Schools (CIS) lists 13 member schools in London. Ofsted The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted inspection reports can be viewed online at www.reports. ofsted.gov.uk and are often used as the basis of school selection criteria. Oxbridge A collective term referring to the 800-year-old universities of Oxford and Cambridge and sometimes

modified to Loxbridge to include London universities. Pre-preps Schools for children aged three to seven. The majority are coeducational and independent. Prep schools Schools for children aged seven to 11 or 13 depending on the departure age to senior school. The majority are coeducational and independent and either stand-alone or attached to a senior school. There are day preps and boarding prep schools. Primary schools Schools for children aged four to 11, usually in the state sector. Private schools Also known as independent schools, they charge fees to attend. Pupils don’t have to follow the national curriculum and the schools are inspected regularly, either by Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate or The Bridge Schools Inspectorate. Public schools These schools are not in fact open to the public and are fee paying. They were originally established to educate the children of civil servants and soldiers working in far-flung corners of the British Empire and as such tend to mirror establishment values. Russell Group A term referring to the self-selected association of 24 leading UK universities with arguably the best research and teaching. SEN schools Specialist and mainstream schools which provide units or bases for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Secondary schools Schools for children aged 11-16 or 18, usually within the state sector. Voluntary aided schools State-funded faith schools or colleges where the governors are responsible for the admissions policy.

Co-educational boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 18 in West Sussex.

MATHEMATICIAN

CAMPAIGNER

ARTIST

I’M WORLD-READY What’s the essence of an Ardingly education? To prepare every student to develop the skills they need to become global citizens. At our world-class learning facilities in the West Sussex countryside, every student is equipped to discover their unique abilities and shape their future through a stimulating and enriching education. For the challenges and opportunities that a changing world brings. For jobs that may not yet exist. So when they leave us, they can truly say, “I’m world-ready”. Discover more at ardingly.com Express school bus from Clapham Common on Monday morning, returns Friday afternoon. Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ Tel: +44 (0)1444 893000

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FIND YOUR LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS State and private schools in Nappy Valley Primary Schools

KEY:

Secondary Schools

Turn to the school listings on page 66 to find the detail of each school by the number reference

47 77

74 99

9 97 116

66 61 131 6b 130

72 22

31 7

76 91

106 73

44 101

59 85

104

6a 25

4 88

139 125 134 142 143 117

2 15

94 71

100

69 93

123 135 124 129

38 68 67 63

14 95

126 43

136

57 105

137

103

DID YOU KNOW… …THAT THE BOROUGH OF LAMBETH PROVIDES LGBT TRAINING FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STAFF, AS THE BOROUGH IS A STONEWALL EDUCATION CHAMPION?

118

141 133

89 110

114

79 102

113

119 111

80 37 32

120

108

49 36

128

138

55 29

140

132 127

107

112 122

48 27

109

121

11 33

115

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WANDSWORTH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 1 Albemarle 2 Alderbrook 3 All Saints (CE) 4 Allfarthing 5 Beatrix Potter 6a Belleville (Webbs Road site) 6b Belleville (Meteor Street site) 7 Brandlehow 8 Broadwater 9 Chesterton 10 Christchurch (CE) 11 Eardley 12 Earlsfield 13 Falconbrook 14 Fircroft 15 Floreat Wandsworth 16 Franciscan 17 Furzedown 18 Gatton (Muslim) 19 Granard 20 Griffin 21 Heathmere 22 High View 23 Hillbrook 24 Holy Ghost (Catholic) 25 Honeywell Infant 26 Honeywell Junior 27 Hotham 28 John Burns 29 Mosaic (Jewish) 30 Oasis Putney Academy 31 Our Lady of Victories (Catholic) 32 Our Lady Queen of Heaven (Catholic) 33 Penwortham 34 Ravenstone 35 Riversdale 36 Roehampton Church (CE) 37 Ronald Ross 38 Rutherford House 39 Sacred Heart Battersea (Catholic) 40 Sacred Heart Roehampton (Catholic) 41 St Anne’s (CE) 42 St Anselm’s (Catholic) 43 St Boniface (Catholic) 44 St Faith’s (CE) 45 St George’s (CE) 46 St Joseph’s (Catholic) 47 St Mary’s Battersea (Catholic) 48 St Mary’s Putney (CE) 49 St Michael’s (CE) 50 Sellincourt 51 Shaftesbury Park 52 Sheringdale 53 Smallwood 54 Southmead 55 Swaffield 56 The Alton 57 Tooting Primary

58 Trinity St Mary’s (CE) 59 West Hill 60 Westbridge 61 Wix

WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89

Al-Risalah Nursery Bertrum House School Broomwood Hall School Dolphin School (incorporating Noahs Ark Nursery Schools) Ecole du Parc Eveline Day School Eveline Nurseries Finton House School Hall School Wimbledon Hornsby House School Hurlingham School Ibstock Place School L’Ecole de Battersea Lion House School Merlin School Newton Preparatory School Northcote Lodge School Oliver House Preparatory School Prospect House School Putney High School The Dominie The Falcon School for Girls The Roche School The St Michael Steiner School Thomas’s Battersea Thomas’s Clapham Wandsworth Preparatory School Wimbledon High School

106 Ibstock Place School 107 Putney High School 108 Thomas’s Clapham 109 Thames Christian College 110 Wimbledon High School

LAMBETH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 111 Bonneville Primary School 112 Clapham Manor Primary School and Children’s Centre 113 Corpus Christi Academy Catholic Primary School 114 Glenbrook Primary School 115 Granton Primary School 116 Heathbrook Primary School and Children’s Centre 117 Henry Cavendish Primary School Balham site 118 Henry Cavendish Primary School Streatham site 119 Iqra Primary School 120 Kings Avenue Primary School 121 Lark Hall Primary School and Children’s Centre 122 Macaulay CE Primary School 123 Richard Atkins Primary School 124 St Bede’s Catholic Infants School 125 St Bernadette’s Catholic Junior School 126 St Leonard’s CE Primary School 127 St Mary’s RC Primary School 128 Sudbourne Primary School 129 Telferscot Primary School

LAMBETH PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 130 Eaton House The Manor School 131 Parkgate House School 132 Rann Horizon School

WANDSWORTH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 90 Ark Putney Academy 91 Ashcroft Technology Academy 92 Bolingbroke Academy 93 Burntwood School 94 Chestnut Grove Academy 95 Ernest Bevin College 96 Graveney School 97 Harris Academy Battersea 98 Saint Cecilia’s C of E School 99 St John Bosco College 100 Southfields Academy 101 South Thames College 102 St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 103 Al-Risalah 104 Emanuel 105 Hall School Wimbledon

133 Streatham & Clapham Prep School 134 The Waldorf School of South West London/ London Steiner School 135 The White House

LAMBETH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 136 Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School 137 Dunraven 138 Lambeth Academy 139 La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School 140 Trinity Academy

LAMBETH PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 141 Streatham & Clapham High School 142 The Laurels 143 The Waldorf School of South West London/ London Steiner School

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CO-ED OR SINGLE-SEX SCHOOLS

Streatham & Clapham

THE GENDER GAP Do boys and girls do better academically when they are taught together or apart? Sian Griffiths, Education Editor of The Sunday Times, unpicks the pros and cons Single sex or co-ed? It’s one of the hottest debates in education. On one side of the debate are the head teachers of single-sex schools who assert that girls and boys get better exam results when they are educated away from the distractions of the opposite sex. On the other are heads of coeducational schools who say that girls and boys need to learn to work together since that is what they will have to do in universities, careers and life. Without this skill, they say, pupils can flounder after leaving their protected classrooms.

Suzie Longstaff, Headmistress at the feepaying Putney High School, is firmly in the first camp. Longstaff has taught in single-sex and coeducational schools. Her experience has convinced her that boys and girls do best when taught apart. “I didn’t think this before I taught in these different schools,” she says. “It’s based on what I have learned.” Her reasons for advocating single-sex education? Firstly, she says, the data shows that girls in single-sex schools are more likely to study science, traditionally regarded as a “boys’ subject”. A recent

survey by the Institute of Physics, for instance, suggests that girls in single-sex schools are more likely to study A level physics, one of the hardest sciences, than girls in mixed schools. Girls’ schools are constantly experimenting with new ways of teaching and giving their pupils skills to succeed in the workplace, says Longstaff, who argues that girls respond well to supportive, cooperative classes, while boys thrive on competition, banter and a direct teaching style. Girls’ schools are also good, she says,

THE TRUE MARK OF A SCHOOL IS WHAT LIES WITHIN. Cumnor House School is committed to offering the very best education to all students. Cumnor House School for Boys aged 4-13. Visit us at 168 Pampisford Road, South Croydon, CR2 6DA Cumnor House School for Girls aged 4-11. Visit us at 1 Woodcote Lane, Purley, CR8 3HB

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Hornsby House

at imparting confidence. While they are, on average, more successful academically than boys, girls are also thought to be less sure of themselves and less willing to take risks. At Putney High School, sixth formers have been offered lessons in stand-up comedy to improve their ability to think on their feet, especially in the run-up to university interviews. “The comedy lessons really built their confidence,” says Longstaff. “Girls here have a strong can-do attitude. They are imbued with a sense that there’s no glass ceiling they can’t break.” Other girls’ schools have taught girls to network and make after-dinner speeches and toasts and some have encouraged girls to set up Facebook groups to keep in touch at university and later, in their careers, to support each other at work as men have traditionally done when they gather in pubs and gyms.

According to Tony Little, the former Headmaster of Eton College, boys too do better when educated away from girls. Little says that boys in good single-sex schools are more likely to take English literature A level, play in the school orchestra and take part in drama – all activities more likely to be the domain of girls in coeducational schools. They also feel freer to express their emotions without fear of ridicule. Teachers in boys’ boarding schools like Eton are trained to recognise that when teenage boys get angry it is a sign of emotional release and stress rather than bad behaviour. Longstaff says that she believes singlesex schools work best for both boys and girls “because it frees them to be themselves.” But for Julian Timm, Director of Admissions at Trinity School – a boysonly school up to age 16 – such arguments do not outweigh the benefits of learning

DID YOU KNOW… …THAT HALF OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE UK ARE SINGLE SEX? alongside the opposite sex after the age of 16. “The emotional maturing of boys and girls happens at very different rates,” he says. “It’s difficult to have a mature 14-yearold girl in the same class as an immature 14-year-old boy.” He also believes that it takes social pressure out of the school environment. “But post-16 it’s a more difficult argument to make. Socially, it’s not the best preparation for children to be exposed to just one gender throughout their education.”

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Trinity changed to co-ed in the sixth form five years ago and while the school has never had a testosterone-fuelled atmosphere, Timm believes that the presence of girls gives a strong message to boys that they are their equal. “It makes boys up their game,” he says and also exposes boys to different ways of thinking. “Girls spend time exploring ideas and empathising whereas boys want to get to the right answer quickly.” When Clarissa Farr, High Mistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School, revealed that some of her alumni were struggling in maledominated environments such as the City, some saw it as proof that single-sex education is deeply unrealistic. Farr has called for a clampdown on the lad culture among City workers – which she described as sexist – and said that her high-flying pupils were leaving “some of the most sought-after companies in the country” early in their careers. “Sexism is driving girls out,” Farr says. “They do not want to stay. Several young women have spoken about being mocked

by their managers because they have drawn attention to a laddish culture – of which the central ingredients are sexist attitudes, drink and football – which prevails among young male employees and which excludes them.” Heads of coeducational schools say that had the girls been alongside boys throughout their school days they would be able to coexist in mixed workplace environments. Perhaps a good compromise in this heated debate is the so-called “diamond model”: boys and girls are at first educated together, diverging into separate classes in the teenage years and then coming back to be taught together in the sixth form. The key thing parents should try to do is to choose the right school for their child, says Trinity’s Timm. “You can’t shoehorn children in,” he says. If it turns out to be a single-sex school that’s a bonus. “We prepare children to be happy and emotionally balanced, then come the grades.” @siangriffiths6

Dulwich College

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SUPPLY AND DEMAND

THE WAITING GAME Getting your child into the school you want can be a challenge but there are ways of mitigating the stress around admissions, says Gillian Upton

Adam Wells’ job can best be described as a juggler. As Head of Pupil Services at Wandsworth council he has to strike the balance between demand for schools and the right number of places. “It’s a balancing act as some schools are more popular than others,” he says with understatement. Catchment areas and pupil numbers have had to become flexible as state schools such as Belleville and Honeywell try to keep everyone happy. Bulge classes have been added at Belleville and Alderbrook this term. At the root of the changes at these two popular schools is pressure on reception places, of which there are a record 3,233 this year, which represents a rise of 4.6%. The higher demand is due to people moving into the highly popular Northcote Road area, Wells believes, but elsewhere in the borough there is capacity and new provision soon at Nine Elms, where a school is mooted in the former Royal Mail building. “But projections are for a plateau in birth rates,” he says. Wells is proud of the fact that 77% of pupils were offered their first preference this year and nearly 90% one of their first three school preferences. The situation is arguably worse in the private sector. For instance, the fact that Emanuel School has already closed its doors for 2017 registration speaks volumes. There are unlikely to be places for 2017 in the upper school (years 12 and 13) at Dulwich College due to a large year 11 group moving through the school. What’s happening? The Independent Schools Show has one explanation: “There are currently 518,432 pupils enrolled at UK independent schools,” says Group Show Director Ben Hitchman, “the highest number since records began. Yet competition for places is fierce and that’s partly to do with the fact that schools are looking to attract increasing numbers of international students. The UK independent education sector is not just highly regarded but envied across the world and

Abacus Ark

schools are tapping into that interest.” It means that top independent schools such as Streatham & Clapham High School are always oversubscribed. “The demand for places in South London increases year after year,” says Headmaster Dr Millan Sachania. “Our job as school leaders is to manage the expectations of parents and, even more importantly, to manage the enormous amount of pressure that is placed on the children who take the 11+ examinations.” (See our feature on wellbeing on page 59.) The race for places starts at prep and the stories of parents placing their child’s name down soon after birth are not unrealistic. Check out our timelines chart opposite and our list of open days on page 40 so you can see the school working, quiz teachers, hear the head talk and see the sort of children the school is developing and decide whether that’s what you want for your offspring.

Nick Baker, Headmaster at Wetherby Prep School, also has this advice: “The key for parents is to be realistic about their children’s intellect and ability in exams if they are to apply to the most academic schools. For senior schools such as St Paul’s, Westminster or King’s,” he continues, “if your son’s CAT [Cognitive Abilities Test] score is not 125 or above there is little point in applying.” Scaremongering headlines – that one in five London secondary schools are full or oversubscribed so the chances of getting your first choice in the capital are the lowest in the country – inflame the situation. “We have the most competitive day-school market in the world, more than New York,” says Simon Beck, Registrar and Deputy Head of Lower School at Whitgift. Strategies for parents include limiting the number of schools applied for. “We work with prep and primary schools to help them

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control the number of schools to which their pupils apply,” says Dr Sachania. Streatham & Clapham also tries to make the experience of sitting the entrance examinations as stress free as possible. Simon Beck suggests that parents should talk to their heads for recommendations but adds, “Parents often don’t want to listen.” It’s a view echoed by Simon Severino,

boarding than top day schools. Remember that even though society is turning against boarding as a concept, boarding beats day for all-round academic and pastoral support, sport and extracurricular provision.” In a nutshell, choose a target school that fits your child - plus no more than two others as back-up - spread the net wide and start research early.

ESSENTIAL TIME LINES 0-1 YEARS Some pre-prep and prep schools require registration the day your child is born, or shortly after. 1 - 2 1/2 Start to consider catchment areas for state schools. Almost all pre-prep and prep school applications will need to be submitted within this period. 2 1/2 Preschool or kindergarten starts. 3 State primary school application deadline. For children who have their 4th birthday in the coming academic year (September 1st-August 31st), the primary school application deadline is the January before the child is due to start. 4 1/2 - 7/8 Pre-prep school. 4-11 State primary school; your child will start in the academic year he/she is 4 years old. 4 - 7/8, 11 or 13 Independent prep school; your child will go for an assessment for selective schools aged 4.

Ardingly College

Headmaster at Alleyn’s Junior School, which is also oversubscribed. “It’s critical for parents to listen to feedback from the current school as they will give a realistic assessment. Do not be influenced by the dinner-party circuit.” Beck recommends visiting prospective schools at least twice, then narrowing the list down to three, “Two you really want and a backup”. He is horrified by the story of one 11-year-old sitting 14 exams. Other strategies include spreading the net to schools outside your borough and considering boarding, particularly now that flexi boarding is an option. Wetherby’s Nick Baker has this advice: “The top boarding schools will take a broader view of admissions and consider the child’s character as much as their academic performance. Therefore a boy who is top half academically (as opposed to top quartile) but has a sparky character would stand more chance at top

BIGGER AND BETTER Over the last decade, the number of pupils at Emanuel School has risen from 700 to 900, with applicant numbers soaring from 250 to 600 for 85 places in year 7. Registrations have closed earlier each year, as so many parents apply more than two years in advance. As demand grows, the challenge for the school is to maintain its friendly, family feel and stay true to the broad coeducational aims and values of Lady Dacre, which she first set out in 1594. The good news for parents is that the school has increased funding for bursaries and scholarships, including 15 fully-funded places from September. It is undoubtedly harder to get in nowadays, but more affordable for some. Source: Emanuel School

7/8 or 13 Independent day schools or boarding schools. The 11+ exam will be taken in January of year 6. The 13+ Common Entrance exam is taken in year 8. There is a year 6 entry at some independent secondary schools, with exams taken in year 5. Children may have to sit pretests for boarding schools in year 7. 11 - 18 State secondary school. Apply by October 31st of year 6. Grammar schools set their own exams, taken in year 6. 13 - 18 Independent boarding or day schools. The 13 + Common Entrance exam is taken in year 8. 16 - 18 The results of GCSE exams taken in year 11 dictate entry into sixth form or a sixth form college. Check admission dates at individual colleges as some request earlier applications.

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SCHOOL PROFILE

SPREADING THEIR WINGS The Falcons School for Girls’ motto, “London’s most creative preparatory school”, is more than just a headline; it is integral to the ethos of the school and its goal of achieving academic excellence Creativity at Falcons Girls takes many forms. It isn’t simply about the arts, it is about a creative life-long journey to achieve academic success and follows the definition by Sir Ken Robinson of creativity as “the process of having original ideas that have value”. The performing arts are strongly represented at the school: 95% of the girls play an instrument; the whole-school production – which takes place every summer – is staged in a professional theatre; and there is ballet for all the girls in pre-prep. Alongside this, the school’s creative arts curriculum includes design and technology days when the girls can create and construct. The focus on creativity is academic, economic and personal. The school believes that whatever their pupils’ passions, faith in their ability to be creative – to write a song, paint a picture or code a game – is key to a happy and satisfying life. As a result of this focus, girls are able to approach school projects with confidence that whatever medium they love to work in, the school will embrace their ideas. Examples have included the use of video, animation, cooking, sculpture and dance to approach and address projects ranging from volcanoes to World War II. Another of the school’s missions is to develop leaders who can identify the problem that everyone else around the boardroom table is missing (or is too afraid to point out) and entrepreneurs who can seize new opportunities. Many girls have embraced this philosophy and taken on mini-enterprise initiatives this year: the head girl set up a milkshake business; two girls in year 4 sold keyrings at the recent summer fair to raise funds for a wildlife charity; and another girl in year 4 recently made and sold friendship bracelets for a rhino reserve she had visited during the Easter

holidays. The pupils have learned valuable lessons regarding marketing, budgeting and consumer relations, but have also embraced the wider community, understanding the importance of social responsibility. Competition for places at senior schools is fierce but at 11+ Falcons girls shine in entrance examinations and interviews and move on to some of London’s top day and boarding schools, thanks to the school’s focus on creativity and lessons in philosophy, which enhance pupils’ critical thinking and reasoning expertise. With specialist teachers in all subjects, girls benefit from the range of expertise on offer, from maths and science through to geography and history. With a stateof-the-art laboratory, the school places great importance on exposing the girls to the important STEM subjects (science,

“THE SCHOOL’S FOCUS ON CREATIVITY IS ACADEMIC, ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL” technology, engineering and maths). During a recent, extremely successful “women in STEM” day, mums, family friends and external speakers visited the school to talk to the girls about their roles in these crucial areas and this has ignited passion and enthusiasm for these subjects in the pupils. The Falcons School for Girls adopts a meaningful approach to homework, which enhances learning from the day’s lessons and encourages the girls to seek out further information themselves. This requires a very dedicated and personalised approach to each girl’s development and is something upon which the school really prides itself.

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EDUCATION SYSTEM

ALL CHANGE Nicola Woolcock, Education Correspondent for The Times, charts the seismic shifts in the country’s education system When the Tories won power last year, a key pre-election pledge was that no major changes to the school curriculum or exams would be introduced midway through a school year. A year later, it gives scant comfort to teachers and parents struggling to keep up with various unexpected announcements, U-turns and the watering down or tweaking of other plans. The result is confusion. New, tougher GCSEs started to be taught last September, with the A-G scoring system torn up and replaced with 9-1. But these numbers are not the exact equivalent of the predecessor grades and the reformed GCSEs will be taught only in English and maths for the first year.

“SOME FAMILIES ARE BEWILDERED AND ANGRY THAT THEIR CHILDREN APPEAR TO BE GUINEA PIGS IN A VERY SIGNIFICANT EXPERIMENT” This has left some families bewildered and angry that their children appear to be guinea pigs in a very significant experiment. Teenagers taking their exams in summer 2017 will be left with some GCSEs graded with letters and others with numbers. While universities will hopefully have a grasp of the system there are fears that some employers will not. A 9 will be higher than the old A* and a 5 will be considered a good pass, set at the borderline of the current B/C grade. This is supposed to provide greater differentiation between the brightest pupils – an 8 will be a low A* and a 7 equivalent to an A grade. A levels being taken in summer 2017 have also become more rigorous, with assessment

Thames Christian College

almost universally by exam, and the “decoupling” of AS and A levels. This means AS levels become a stand-alone qualification, rather than teenagers being able to convert them into A levels. However, as with GCSEs, the harder A levels, with updated content, will be introduced in batches over a threeyear period, starting from last autumn. New courses were introduced last September in biology, chemistry, economics, English, history and physics, among others. Geography, modern foreign languages, ancient languages, music, PE and drama will be replaced this autumn, and other subjects including maths will be relaunched in September 2017. Primary schools have not been immune from turmoil: more difficult SATs tests have been introduced for six- and 11-year-olds which means that children in their first years of school have to learn arcane terminology

and syntax such as the meaning of digraphs, trigraphs, and grapheme-phoneme correspondences, and how to apply these in a sentence. By 11 they can expect to be tested on ambiguity, ellipses, modal verbs, relative clauses and expanded noun phrases within their writing. The maths curriculum has also become more rigorous. This has had a domino effect on the whole primary curriculum, with children from reception upwards having to master more at an earlier age, so they are primed for the next academic year. Some parents were so enraged by the changes they pulled their children out of school for a strike in May, in protest at the impact of tests on their children’s education and mental health. This coincided with another source of confusion – the rights of parents to take

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their children on term-time holidays. Three years ago Michael Gove, then Education Secretary, took a hard-line approach to children missing school and said head teachers would no longer have discretion to grant up to ten days of leave a year. Fines of £120 per couple were introduced, with the risk of prosecution for those who did not pay. But the High Court recently ruled in favour of a parent who challenged the legislation, leaving education ministers furious and head teachers unsure of their powers. The government insists that heads should still penalise parents of children who miss school, unless there are exceptional circumstances, but until there is legal clarification it provides another source of frustration and uncertainty for schools and families. But by far the most unpopular schools

“CHILDREN IN THEIR FIRST YEARS OF SCHOOL HAVE TO LEARN ARCANE TERMINOLOGY AND SYNTAX”

Finton House

announcement this year came from George Osborne, proclaiming that all schools would be forced to become academies within six years. Although two thirds of secondary schools are already academies, thousands of primaries and other secondaries are still under local authority control and many are perfectly happy with the arrangement. There were particular fears that small or rural village schools would have to close or merge, or be swallowed up by large,

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unaccountable academy chains. Eventually the government capitulated but although blanket conversion was dropped, the government retained powers to force schools to convert to academy status in “underperforming” local authorities (even schools doing well) or those in areas where councils were deemed unable to provide the necessary support. Teaching unions, parent groups and head teachers had decried the changes.

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Malcolm Trobe, interim General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said last month about academies: “We note that full academisation remains the government’s aspiration. There is no need to force all schools to become academies and partnerships must be entered into on a voluntary basis. The most pressing issues facing schools are the ongoing crises in funding and teacher recruitment.” These latter issues grab fewer of the headlines but are likely to have the biggest impact on children. Changes to the national funding formula may sound dull but will have a potentially catastrophic impact on the budgets of some schools, which are already operating on a shoestring, while others will be better off. Despite attempting to lure top graduates into teaching with lucrative bursaries, the government has missed its teaching recruitment targets for the fourth year in a row. While the number of qualified teachers keeps rising, so do the numbers needed as new schools open and teachers retire or resign from the profession, some because they have had enough of the turbulence in the school system. https://twitter.com/nicolawoolcock

Confusion for parents is amplified by the different qualifications offered at schools. Some schools teach International GCSEs, known as IGCSEs, rather than GCSEs. Others teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the Pre-U instead of A levels. The IGCSE initially appealed to independent schools because it was more akin to the old O level. Proponents said it was more rigorous and had less coursework than GCSEs, with a linear two-year course ending in examination. However, the difference between GCSEs and IGCSEs has become negligible. The new reformed GCSEs have also shed coursework and focused on examinations, and schools are discouraged from resits. IGCSEs are being redeveloped to offer “the same breadth and depth as the reformed GCSEs”, according to the Cambridge board, and will also be marked from 9-1. The Cambridge board also offers the

pre-U in 25 subjects as an alternative to A levels, but this is not as popular as the IB. There is also the Cambridge Primary programme for ages five to 11, which is not as widely taught in the UK. Teenagers taking the IB diploma for 16- to 19-year-olds select six subjects, and also study theory of knowledge, undertake a community-service project and write an extended essay. The subjects they study must straddle a range of groups including literature, language, society (humanities), science, maths and the arts. Those behind the qualification claim it encourages pupils to think independently, become more culturally aware and perform more strongly than A level candidates. Others argue that A levels offer a greater depth of intensive learning about chosen subjects and are well respected by universities and employers, who are familiar with the qualification and understand its grades better than the IB.

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HOMEWORK AND REVISION

EYES ON THE PRIZE The pressure on children to achieve top grades and get into the right senior school and university is immense. It often translates into long hours of homework, says Gillian Upton Stanford University psychologist Carol S Dweck is a big noise in educational psychology; she coined the phrases “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset” in her book,

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Her theory is that those who believe that their success is based on innate ability have a fixed mindset and those who believe that their success is based on hard work have a growth mindset. The latter has greater capacity for improvement and, ultimately, success. Take this into the school environment and Dweck’s theories are powerful. Alleyn’s School has done just that and when marking homework does not use the word “no” but “not yet” coupled with comments on how students can get further down the road with a subject. Alleyn’s Headmaster Dr Gary Savage explains: “The struggle is how you learn and the message is never to give up on a subject.” Sydenham High School takes a similar approach. “We mark work proactively,” explains Head Teacher Kathryn Pullen, “using ‘WWW’ (what went well) and ‘EBI’ (even better if) with suggestions. Then the student has to respond to the teacher before they get a mark. We teach students that it’s OK to make a mistake – it’s part of learning.”

“THE STRUGGLE IS HOW YOU LEARN AND THE MESSAGE IS NEVER TO GIVE UP ON A SUBJECT” Parents are an integral part of the homework process and Sydenham uses what’s called the “flipped classroom” approach via its virtual classrooms to help this partnership. “For example, students can watch a video at home, with their parents if they want, then the teacher’s time can be spent on exploration as well as explanation,” says Pullen. Hornsby House Headmaster Ed Rees

adds, “For many parents homework is an opportunity for them to stay connected with their child’s learning, the curriculum and their child’s strengths and weaknesses. The more fervent advocates of homework also argue that it supports, and possibly increases, a child’s chances of gaining a place at their senior school of choice.” What can’t be avoided is homework itself. That there is a need for it is not disputed as learning at school is never enough and children have to consolidate learning at home. Ofsted recognises homework as an opportunity for independent learning. Gone are the days when homework was just a few words or times tables to learn. Today it’s written work, even at primary level. State primary schools in particular increase homework levels at Key Stage 2 (ages seven to 11). Hornsby House takes a gentle approach, with progressively more homework as pupils move up the school but none at weekends. “A gentler homework is built into

LEARNING HOW TO LEARN Sydenham High School teaches independent learning and study skills – metacognition or, more simply, learning how to learn. Children need to feel comfortable taking calculated learning risks and exploring different avenues to getting it right. Get them away from thinking that their exercise book has to be perfect. Pick up on their strengths and provide signposts for where to go next. Public exams are now linear, so no more modules or coursework but end-of-course exams. It’s important to teach students that exam success is a skill which can be learnt. Armed with the sense of being in control of their learning, pupils find that exams become a more proactive, less frightening prospect. Source: Sydenham High School

Thames Christian College

the middle of the week to give the children and their families some time out from what is for many a very busy life,” says Rees. The government scrapped homework guidelines under Michael Gove so schools set an age-appropriate amount plus an adjustment for the individual child. The old government guidelines are still loosely followed: for years 1 and 2 (five to seven years), ten minutes of homework a night; years 5 and 6 (nine to 11 years), 30 minutes; year 7 to 9 (12 and 13 years), up to 90 minutes; years 10 and 11 (15 and 16 years), up to two-and-a-half hours. “A good teacher knows when the levels need to be adjusted,” says Dr Savage. Exam pressure ratchets up the need for revision and schools’ pastoral staff need to support students at this stressful time. From this September, Alleyn’s teachers will be trained in “mental first aid” to help equip pupils to deal with exam pressure. “GCSEs are only part of education,” says Dr Savage. “It’s important that we don’t lose sight of holistic education. If we do, the kids certainly will. If an exam doesn’t go well, they can bounce back. It’s about all they do, not what they do in tests.”

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HAVE YOU DONE YOUR HOMEWORK? You can learn a lot about a school’s approach to homework by investigating a few important principles: 1. Tasks: it’s better to ask pupils to do fewer tasks thoroughly than many only moderately well. 2. Time: younger children should not spend too much time completing prep, but older kids can do more. 3. Feedback: how quickly is homework marked and returned? The longer your child has to wait for feedback, the less impact it will have. Don’t be tempted to help your child too much – the best learning often takes place in the (supported) struggle with the material. Younger children benefit from having a set time for homework and working in a communal space, such as the kitchen. Source: Trinity School King’s College School

PARENTS: ESSENTIAL HOME EDUCATORS There is no greater investment than education. Having witnessed first hand the enormous difference parental support can make in ensuring a child reaches their potential, Exceptional Academics offers its top five tips to parents. 1. Read together and discuss texts: by reading fiction and nonfiction, children are exposed to different genres and techniques, improving their vocabulary and writing style. Oral questioning aids comprehension. 2. Test their mental arithmetic: assessing the four operations and a range of multi-step problems is vital. 3. Play numeracy and word games: making a subject fun fuels your child’s desire to learn. 4. Practise exam papers: familiarity with paper layout, question types and timings strengthens children’s confidence, giving them a competitive edge. 5. Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Children need time to play and rest. A happy child works happily! Newton Preparatory School

Source: Exceptional Academics

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EARLY YEARS

HIGH FIVE What’s the difference between day nursery and preschool, pre-prep and reception? What am I entitled to? And how will my child react? Georgina Blaskey investigates the choices for under-fives Sending your child to nursery is the first milestone in their education. For some children it can be an exciting journey, the prospect of which leaves them totally unfazed. For others, it can be a daunting, nerve-racking first rung on the learning ladder. It’s essential to investigate the options fully and choose the right path for your child. Blocking out the gossip from well-meaning friends and neighbours is a good first step – and nothing can replace a personal visit to work out what the right fit is.

What are my options? Your early-years options may be determined by your needs: are you going back to work after a year’s maternity leave, requiring dawn-till-dusk daycare? Do you want a few after-noons off while your child plays and learns to socialise? Do you want your child to begin learning the curriculum? Here are the options: • Nursery schools – provide education for children aged from two-and-a-half to five. They are registered with Ofsted to provide childcare and are usually open part time. Private nurseries are also able to provide free nursery places if they are registered with both the local council and Ofsted. In these cases, your child’s first 15 hours a week are free – any charges for extras or additional time must be invoiced separately. • Preschool playgroups – provide places for small groups of children aged from two-and-a-half to five to learn and play. Playgroups are usually open part time and often parents need to stay for the session. • Day nurseries – provide childcare for those under one year up to the age of five and are registered with Ofsted. They are usually open from 8am-6pm, all year round. For three- and four-year-olds, they follow the same Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum as nursery schools.

Parkgate House School

“SENDING YOUR CHILD TO NURSERY IS THE FIRST MILESTONE IN THEIR EDUCATION”

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• Independent schools – some provide education for children aged from three to 11. They have to be registered with the Department for Education (DfE) and are usually only open part time. • Childminders – provide paid-for childcare for more than two hours per day, usually in their own home. Their duties include providing a safe, loving environment and helping with children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. All childminders are registered with Ofsted.

What should I look for when choosing a nursery or preschool?

What should I expect when it’s time to start?

Visit armed with questions and queries about how each nursery, playgroup or preschool operates and how children learn. The impartial education website gettherightschool.co.uk has compiled these questions to help guide parents and aid decision making:

Practicalities Getting up and being there on time after a couple of years of loose timetabling can feel like an immense challenge in itself – to you both. Selecting their clothes together the night before can help avoid confrontations in the morning. Equally, keeping breakfast options limited, brushing teeth downstairs and encouraging scooting to nursery aids a quick turnaround. Many nurseries don’t require your child to be toilet trained on starting (it’s worth checking), and you may even notice them beginning to think about going to the loo once they’ve witnessed older children taking themselves. If your child is staying all day, they’ll need a nutritious packed lunch. If you can involve them in the making of it, they’ll be more likely to eat it. Usually, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are provided. Finally, always pack a spare change of clothes, including pants, as accidents can happen.

• What resources and equipment do you have to support children’s learning? • How are activities planned and organised to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage? • Do you provide any additional help and support to under-fives with special educational needs? • How many children do you have attending? • What sort of activities do the children do? • How is the average day/session organised? • How do staff manage bad behaviour? • What qualifications and experience do the staff have?

Emotional aspects Being “on show” all day is exhausting – the new surroundings, routine, friends and expectations are the perfect ingredients for an almighty meltdown when they see you, often before they even get home. You may need to greet them with a snack in your hand to steady rapidly declining blood sugar and their lunchtime nap could even be reintroduced if necessary. The London Preschool

Eveline Day Nursery

• How long have you been operating? • Do you have outdoor and indoor areas for children to play and learn? • Do children have a rest during the day? • What time do sessions start and finish? • Is there a sibling policy?

Separation anxiety This is a normal part of development, according to clinical psychologist Dr Sharon Lewis, who specialises in working with parents of under-fives. “Crying is to be expected when a baby is separated from their primary care giver,” explains Dr Lewis. “At a later stage, such as starting nursery, a child will often cry at drop-off for a few minutes but then move on and engage with what’s happening around them.” After a while, a bond builds with the teacher and the child feels secure. “Warning signs that separation anxiety has increased include bed wetting, stomach aches, nightmares, refusing to go to school and a fear that something may happen to the parent while they are out of sight,” says Dr Lewis. Elaine Halligan, from The Parent Practice, offers this sage advice: “Be your child’s emotional coach – allow your child to be upset. Don’t deny or ignore their feelings by telling them to be a big boy and not to cry.

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Instead, acknowledge that it can be hard to say goodbye and accept they may feel sad when you leave them. Allowing these emotions to be expressed alleviates the stress these feelings are causing. Encourage your child to talk about how they feel, if they can.” (For more parenting advice, their new book written by Melissa Hood, Real Parenting for Real Kids, £16.99 from Practical Inspiration Publishing, is out now. See page 65) There are easy steps to take to help reduce separation anxiety: • Be consistent at drop-off and pick-up • Have a goodbye ritual and stick to it • Reflect on your feelings about separation – could your emotions be influencing theirs? • Play out the goodbye scenario together at home first • Take a favourite toy in to comfort them • Visit the nursery beforehand so it’s familiar Like any new phase, starting nursery can trigger a flurry of mixed emotions, but being prepared, staying calm and taking time to evaluate what lies ahead will make the change easier.

WHAT AM I ENTITLED TO?

Many provide before-school and afterschool childcare. They generally do not provide nursery places for two-year-olds. When should I apply?

Free nursery education

• Children can receive a free parttime nursery education place from September 1st, January 1st, or April 1st following their third birthday consisting of up to 15 hours per week, 38 weeks of the year, or a minimum of 33 weeks.

• Children moving to England from another country are also entitled to free nursery education.

The closing date for applications for nursery places within a maintained primary school for entrance from September 2016 was Friday February 12th 2016. Each year follows a similar time frame. Planning ahead is essential.

WHAT IS THE EARLY YEARS STAGE? FOUNDATION STAGE?

Free nursery education providers Types of providers offering free nursery education for three- and four-year-olds include maintained nursery schools or primary school nursery classes. Maintained nurseries:

• Are council-run nurseries • Usually open 9am-3.15pm • Are free to all parents/carers and offer up to 15 hours a week

• The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the time in your child’s life between birth and five. Their early-years experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure, but it must also support their development, care and learning needs.

• Nurseries, preschools, reception classes and childminders registered to deliver the EYFS must follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

Our locations

Choosing the right nursery for your family We welcome children all year round, from 6 months to 5 years. Our highly-qualified practitioners deliver our holistic development programme that enriches children academically and socially to ensure they are fully prepared for school. Plus, a dedicated Parent Experience team to support you through nursery life. For further details, contact Jo, our Parent Experience Manager on 020 7624 5718 or email jo@abacusark.com

Wandsworth Town 17 Enterprise Way London SW18 1F

* A short 7min stroll from Wandsworth Town train station * Clapham Junction St Paul’s Church St John’s Hill, London SW11 1SH

* A 4 minute hop from Clapham Junction * Maida Vale 1 - 4 The Parade Kilburn High Road London NW6 5TR

* A mear 6 minutes from the tube station *

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NURSERY SCHOOLS If dates of Open Days are known they are shown in individual entries; the majority of nurseries will organise individual showrounds on request and any days/times known at time of going to press are shown in individual entries below. Bertrum House Nursery 90 Balham High Road, SW17 7AP T: 020 8767 4051 W: bertrumhousenursery.co.uk 2½-5 years Mouse House 27 Mallinson Road, SW11 1BW T: 01622 833331 W: thekindergartens.com 2½- 5 years The White House

• The EYFS Framework exists to support all professionals working in the EYFS and was developed with a number of early years experts and parents. It sets out:

• The legal welfare requirements that everyone registered to look after children must follow to keep them safe and promote their welfare.

HOW TO CHOOSE A NURSERY Start by getting recommendations from friends, then read the Ofsted inspection reports. Register with all the nurseries on your shortlist. You may need to pay a fee but it is a worthwhile investment. Visit the nurseries and keep in mind the following:

• How do the children look? A child • The seven areas of learning and development which guide professionals’ engagement with children’s play and activities as they learn new skills and knowledge.

• Assessments that will tell you about your child’s progress through the EYFS.

• Expected levels that children should reach aged five, usually the end of the reception year; these expectations are called the Early Learning Goals (ELGs).

• You should be able to get information about your child’s development at any time and there are two stages (at the age of two, and again at five) when the professionals caring for your child must give you written information about how he or she is doing.

You can find the Early Years Foundation Stage, which includes the Early Learning Goals, at www.foundationyears.org.uk

whose needs are being met should be happy and engaged.

• Is the nursery clean and does it smell clean? Does it have a range of stimulating equipment and books?

• Are the staff engaged, happy and interacting with the children?

• Does the nursery have its own qualified teachers or is it running activities with peripatetic amateurs?

• Is the person in charge of that nursery showing you round? Ask about the ethos of the nursery.

• Safety and security – check the doors, gates and access, the vetting process for staff, whether there are webcams and if parents can access them via a secure platform.

• Ask what percentage of children get into the primary school of their choice. If the nursery of your choice is oversubscribed, stay in monthly contact as places do become available. Be flexible – taking a less desirable time slot will get you in the door. Source: The London Preschool

Marmalade Cat St Andrews United Reform Church 1 Altenburg Gardens, SW11 1JH T: 020 8265 5224 2½-5 years Parkgate House School Nursery 80 Clapham Common Northside, SW4 9SD T: 020 7350 2452 W: parkgate-school.co.uk 2-4 years Open day October 8th, 10am. Book with registrar Little Red Hen Christchurch Hall Cabul Road, SW11 2NP T: 020 7738 0321 W: thelittleredhennursery.co.uk 2½-5 years Call Kitty on 07891 138175 to book individual showround Nightingale 1 Montessori St Luke’s Community Hall 194 Ramsden Road, SW12 8RQ T: 07958 567210 W: nightingalemontessori.co.uk 2½-5 years Noah’s Ark Endlesham Church Hall 48 Endlesham Road SW12 8JL T: 020 7924 3472 W: noahsarknurseryschools.org.uk 2½-5 years Gateway House St Jude‘s Church Hall Heslop Road, SW12 8EG T: 020 8675 8258 W: gatewayhousenursery.co.uk 2½-5 years

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Streatham & Clapham Prep School Nursery Wavertree Road, SW2 3SR T: 020 8674 6912 W: schs.gdst.net/2293/prep-nursery 3-5 years

DAY NURSERIES AND PRESCHOOLS Abacus Ark Ground Floor, St Paul’s Church St John’s Hill, SW11 1SH T: 020 7624 5718 W: abacusark.com 3 months-5 years Active Learning Fulham Grove House Bagleys Lane, SW6 2QB T: 020 3824 7089 W: activelearningchildcare.co.uk 3 months-5 years Abacus 135 Laitwood Road, SW12 9QH T: 020 8675 8093 W: myabacusnursery.co.uk 9 months-5 years Showrounds on Fridays at 10am

Abacus Ark

THE BENEFITS OF NURSERY SCHOOLS Nursery schools are safe havens for children to discover new knowledge, learn about the world around them and explore their own identity whilst having fun. Early years education has a profound impact upon children’s development and later life, paving the way for a successful and prosperous future. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides guidance for learning, development and the care for children under the age of five years. Placing your child in a nursery environment at whatever age you choose will significantly benefit their learning, helping how they process information, interact with others and discover who they are as individuals. Your child will leave nursery school academically and socially prepared for the transition to school. Children are born learners and thrive in surroundings that offer them continuous stimulation and endless opportunities. Abacus Ark nurseries consciously use “scaffolding” in all aspects of children’s play: the children learn one skill and then build on it to learn a second. Source: Abacus Ark

Balham Day Nursery & Pre-School 36 Radbourne Road, SW12 0EF T: 01753 201122 W: asquithnurseries.co.uk 3 months-5 years Open day September 10th Balham Rainbow Nursery 3A Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX T: 020 8355 0892 W: balhamrainbow.evolution-childcare.co.uk 4 months-5 years Showround on Monday & Wednesday at 9.30, 10.30, 2.45 & 3.45pm. Bright Horizons Wandsworth Common Day Nursery and Preschool 4 Northside, SW18 2SS T: 020 3780 3019

W: brighthorizons.co.uk 3 months-5 years Bright Horizons Clapham Village 4-14 Brommels Road, SW4 0BG T: 020 3780 7915 W: brighthorizons.co.uk 3 months-5 years Bright Horizons West Hill Day Nursery and Preschool 38 West Hill, SW18 1RX T: 0800 085 4074 W: brighthorizons.co.uk 3 months-5 years Bright Horizons Northcote Road Day Nursery and Preschool 119A Chatham Road, SW11 6HJ T: 020 3780 3030 W: brighthorizons.co.uk 3 months-5 years Elm Park Nursery 90 Clarence Avenue, SW4 8JR T: 020 8678 1990 W: elmparknursery.co.uk 3 months-5 years Showrounds on Monday, Wednesday & Friday in the morning Eveline Day Nursery East Hill United Reformed Church Hall Geraldine Road, SW18 2NR T: 020 8870 0966 W: evelinedaynursery.com 3 months-5 years Eveline Day Nursery Chillerton Road, SW17 9BE T: 020 8672 0501 W: evelinedaynursery.com 3 months-5 years

Sydenham High School

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Eveline Day Nursery 14 Trinity Crescent, SW17 7AE T: 020 8672 4673 W: evelinedaynursery.com 3 months-5 years Eveline Day Nursery 30 Ritherdon Road, SW17 8QD T: 020 8672 7549 W: evelinedaynursery.com 3 months-5 years Grove Hall 59 Balham Grove, SW12 8BD T: 020 8673 1943 W: grovehallnursery.com 5 months-4 years Little Wombles 17 Broomhill Road, SW18 4JG T: 07884 253398 W: littlewombles.co.uk 6 months-5 years Magdalen Nursery The Lodge Magdalen Road, SW18 3NP T: 020 8870 4022 W: magdalennursery.com 3 months-5 years Showrounds on Monday & Friday at 10.30am

Playtime Wandsworth Spectrum Way off Broomhill Road, SW18 4GQ T: 020 3735 9410 W: playtimenurseries.com 3 months-5 years The Baby Room 195 Lavender Hill, SW11 5TB T: 020 7228 8277 W: babyroom.co.uk Birth-5 years The Baby Room 22-23 The Boulevard 205 Balham High Road, SW17 7BW T: 020 8675 7276 W: babyroom.co.uk Birth-5 years The Baby Room 18 Old Town, SW4 0LB T: 020 7498 9450 W: babyroom.co.uk Birth-5 years The Baby Room 52-54 Webbs Road, SW11 6SF T: 020 7924 2722 W: babyroom.co.uk Birth-5 years

The London Preschool 2 Knightley Walk, SW18 1GZ T: 020 3538 7602 W: londonpreschool.co.uk 6 months-5 years The Northcote Gardens 69 Salcott Road, SW11 5TG T: 020 7924 3696 W: gardenschildcare.co.uk 1-5 years Showrounds any day between 9-4pm Woodentops SW12 24 Thornton Road, SW12 0LF T: 020 8674 9514 W: woodentopsnurseries.com 6 months-5 years Open day in November Woodentops SW4 1 Poynders Road, SW4 8NX T: 020 8675 5033 W: woodentopsnurseries.com 6 months-5 years Open day in November

A Different Kind of Nursery OPEN 7AM TO 7PM 51 WEEKS A YEAR We have a passion for excellence and innovation in preschool education and: • over 60 years collective experience running nurseries tailored to the individual needs, talents, abilities and interests of your child • have had the majority of our nurseries graded ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Outstanding in Learning and Development’ by Ofsted

TLPNappy Valley Schools Ad.indd 1

• help your child develop at their own pace through a unique, holistic curriculum covering music, the arts, science and sport • work with leading educational and developmental psychologists

THE LONDON PRESCHOOL WANDSWORTH 2 Knightley Walk London | SW18 1GZ 0203 538 7602 londonpreschool.co.uk

11/08/2016 16:26

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SCHOOL FEES

BANKING ON TALENT Affording school fees is becoming increasingly difficult as they rise more rapidly than wages and scholarships shrink. Gillian Upton advises on the options open to ease the financial pain It is some consolation to parents across the UK that this year saw the lowest increase in school fees since 1994. However, the average hike of 3.5% (in line with last year) masks the fact that rises in school fees are dramatically outstripping those in parents’ earnings. This is the scenario despite an increasing amount of fee assistance to help reduce the pain. It doesn’t help either that the middle

classes are being priced out of the top private schools by international students, whose parents pay huge fees. Drill down into the statistics region by region and the picture for parents in Greater London is even more challenging as they have been hit hardest, with a 4.2% hike in fees, the highest in the country. Fees in the north of England are the lowest in the country. “For many families, a private education is

now only affordable where both parents are working,” concludes investment house Killik & Co from their 2015 Private Education Index. The company goes further and questions whether the amounts that parents are spending on their children’s education – more than £286,000 over 14 years – would not be better being invested to set them up financially for life, while sending their child to a good state school.

Independent thinkers and learners Prep School Open Day Saturday

1 October 2016

10.00 am - 12 noon

Senior School Open Day Saturday

24 September 2016

10.00 am - 1.00 pm

Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 5 October 2016

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Register for Open Days at www.schs.gdst.net Prep School (Girls 3-11) Wavertree Road, SW2 3SR 020 8674 6912 prep@schs.gdst.net

Senior School (Girls 11-18) 42 Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AW 020 8677 8400 senior@schs.gdst.net

Open Morning for entry into Year 7 Saturday 8 October 9.30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 noon Tour the College with boys, meet staff and hear the Master, Dr Joe Spence, talk about Dulwich College. No appointment is necessary. Other opportunities are available to visit the College during the school day. Dates can be found on the Admissions section of our website, www.dulwich.org.uk, or please telephone the Registrarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office on 020 8299 9263.

Enriching young minds for a successful future Open Days for 2017 entry Senior & Sixth Form Reception & Junior

Saturday 17 September Saturday 24 September

www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

10am 10am

020 8557 7004

School bus services from Clapham, Balham & Streatham

up to 100% Bursaries for Year 3 upwards If you have a child who would benefit from an excellent, engaging education, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re concerned about finances, please do get in contact. Full and top-up bursaries are available for entry in September 2017 Newton Prep offers a challenging education for bright, inquisitive boys and girls aged 3-13 in South West London. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100% are available for entry in September 2017 for pupils coming into Years 3â&#x20AC;&#x201D;7. For more information please contact the Registrar: Susan Symes 020 7720 4091 ext. 207 registrar@newtonprep.co.uk www.newtonprepschool.co.uk

Bright children, exceptional opportunities

Celebrating 25 years

throughout 2016-2017

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Emanuel School

Killik also says that private schools will have to think about rebalancing student bodies not rooted in their own area which are outweighed by pupils from the international community. More than £850 million was provided in fee assistance for pupils at member schools of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which collates annual statistics. That represents an increase of 2.6% compared to 2015. Almost half of the fee assistance came from means-tested bursaries. Bursaries are one of the favoured routes for parents to try when paying for school fees. It does mean submitting company accounts, pay slips, home valuations and the like to prove income, assets and net disposable income. But laying yourself bare may be the price to be paid for a reduction in school fees of anywhere between 10 and 75%. Ardingly College’s Head Ben Figgis says that his West Sussex school is particularly generous with bursaries at 16+ entry, often offering 100%. A fifth of all Ardingly’s students are on either scholarships or bursaries.

DID YOU KNOW… …THAT THE AVERAGE DAY SCHOOL IN LONDON COSTS £5,500 PER TERM, COMPARED TO £3,500 PER TERM IN WALES? SOURCE: 2016 CENSUS FROM THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS COUNCIL (ISC) Closer to home, Emanuel uses its bursary fund to top up scholarships to 100%. Meanwhile, Dulwich College offers a wide range of schemes to ease the pain of school fees. Aside from scholarships and bursaries, it offers a discount in return for paying fees annually in advance. Some 30% of students receive financial assistance, including 30

Ardingly College

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boys on full-fee relief. The goal is to reach 50%. Of the new boys joining the College this month, 25% are in receipt of bursaries ranging from 75% to 100%.

DID YOU KNOW… …THAT FEES AT INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOLS HAVE MORE THAN QUADRUPLED SINCE 1990? FEES HAVE INCREASED AHEAD OF EARNINGS EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN

Whitgift School

Alleyn’s

Dr Cameron Pyke, Deputy Master External at Dulwich College, explains that the school takes the issue of affordability seriously: “The Master and governors of Dulwich College have made it clear that it is not in the College’s ethos to be a school for just the rich and poor. Our strength is in our diversity and it is our ambition to ensure

that parents of all means – including the ‘squeezed middle’ – feel able to send their academically bright and curious sons to Dulwich College.” The second route for parents is to apply for a scholarship, a competitive award for ability in academic subjects, music, drama, sport or art. Scholarships used to offer discounts of up to 75% on school fees but today, it’s more likely to be no more than 15%. According to the Independent Schools’ Bursars’ Association (ISBA), some schools’ scholarship funds have been reduced; and parents may have to be content with the kudos of getting into the school. The scholarship fund has shrunk at Dulwich over the years “to ensure that more funds could go towards means-tested bursaries,” says Dr Pyke. The College’s Bursary Appeal Fund, established in 1990, currently stands at £9.2 million. Those who can’t stretch to the £18,915 annual fees for Dulwich might find that their musical, sporty or academically gifted sons could shave £5,500 off the annual fee with a scholarship. Arty students fare less well, with scholarships only worth up to 10%. Having exhausted the school’s help, the only other options are to ask family –

Alleyn’s Junior School: Co-educational excellence in a caring community for children aged 4+. Open events in September, October and November. Check the website for details. All welcome.

www.alleyns.org.uk / @Alleyns_School / 020 8557 1519 / Townley Road, Dulwich SE22 8SU

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increasingly, grandparents are digging deep and can reduce their inheritance-tax liability at the same time – or to spread fees over 12 monthly payments through a school-fee finance company. In a worst-case scenario – redundancy – bursaries can be sought part way through school and there are school-fees insurance plans which are designed for these circumstances. The plans insure a

percentage of the cost of school fees but be aware that there are caveats so read the small print carefully. Going private is a big decision – the total cost of a child’s educational journey from the age of five to 18 can be around £280,000 for a day school or nearer to £435,000 for boarding. There are ways to lessen the financial pain but many families will think long and hard before taking the plunge.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND BOARDING AT WHITGIFT Boys can receive fee remission through scholarships or bursaries. Scholarships range between 5% remission of fees up to 50% remission of fees, although 50% is rare. Bursary funds are limited, and are offered to a selected number of pupils following the entrance examination and retained throughout their time in the school subject to annual reassessment. Boys in school years 9-13, aged 13-18, are eligible to board at Whitgift. Boarding equips the young men with all the skills they need for life, not just academically. It enhances mutual respect, self reliance, community spirit, co-operation, independence. There is a coherent timetable of events every weekend for boarders. These will include such things as sporting events, musical occasions, Lord Mayor’s Show, museum and gallery visits, historical site excursions and national landmark visits. Day pupils are also able to participate in these events if there are spaces available. There are also a huge variety of activities arranged in the evenings.

Alleyn’s

Source: Whitgift School

Co-educational excellence in a caring community for boys and girls aged 11+. Open events in September, October and November. Check our website for details. All welcome.

www.alleyns.org.uk / @Alleyns_School / 020 8557 1500 / Townley Road, Dulwich SE22 8SU

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SCHOOL PROFILE

WEST SUSSEX IDYLL One cannot help but be impressed by Ardingly College – the Victorian red-brick building is breathtaking. It stands in 420 acres that span the A road which carves up the tiny West Sussex village of the same name For weekly or full-time boarders, the train station minutes away at Haywards Heath is a familiar place; for South-West Londoners, the Balham Bullet is more familiar. The school picks up at Clapham Common at 6.40am each Monday and deposits pupils back there at 6pm each Friday. Economics, physics and engineering are popular subjects, as are art, design and politics. The bulk of students – around two thirds – will go to Russell Group universities; the rest to the US or Canada to make their way in the world. Alumni include politicians, diplomats and those in the media, sports and arts. “I judge our success by how many leavers get into their first or second choice of university,” says Head Ben Figgis. In 2015 that figure was 94%. “That’s a measure of success and better than the A star count,” he says. A rather more accurate benchmark, he adds, would be to survey alumni aged 30 to see where they are in their careers. “I would argue strongly for that. Then they can really say that Ardingly College prepared them for what they went on to do in life. Essentially, success is unmeasurable otherwise.” Figgis is proud that the teaching at Ardingly provides the spark that lights up children’s lives. “It can come from anywhere and at any time so what’s important is breadth of education, which you find more outside London than in London schools, which have a more narrow academic curriculum,” he says. He cites the amazing feat of the solar car built by 150 students as an activity outside the classroom. Students designed it, built it and raced it over 3,000 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide in the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, finishing sixth out of 13 Cruiser Class entrants. “That was a spark,” says Figgis. “Part of school has to

Ardingly College is spread over 420 acres of West Sussex

“THE TEACHING AT ARDINGLY PROVIDES THE SPARK THAT LIGHTS UP CHILDREN’S LIVES” be getting your head down and studying for exams but these children need to know where to go in life. The idea is to make sure they are fully rounded and giving back.” Figgis believes his young band of teachers, who are allowed to take risks, and understanding the predominant aptitudes of the child, regardless of gender, are key ingredients of Ardingly’s success. Eight colourful prints light up what would otherwise be a rather plain headmaster’s study and these flag up the Ardingly Learner Profile. They are a set of characteristics which the College develops and nurtures in students and teachers so that they become habits and values: risk taking, thinking, inquiring, caring, reflectiveness, balance, stimulation and communication. This character profiling style of pastoral care informs the College’s dialogue with

students. “Our intention is for every child to understand themselves better,” says Figgis, which in turn helps overcome girls’ fear of failure and the underachievement of boys at GCSE. Boarders stay in modern accommodation blocks, all clustered around or near the original H-shaped building that opened in 1870, its vaulted chapel still beautifully intact. The student cohort is chiefly English; 25% emanate from western Europe (creating a 560-strong student body of 28 nationalities) and a third of students opt for the broader curriculum found in the International Baccalaureate (IB). The College received a Best Schools Award as one of the top ten IB schools in the UK. Ardingly is a strong football school – its First X1 won the ISFA National Boodles Cup this year (a historic two years in succession) and students regularly graduate to US football colleges on sports scholarships. Students joining from Newton Prep, Thomas’s, Broomwood Hall and Fulham Prep this year will be able to loosen the pressure valve on arriving at this West Sussex idyll, while still achieving high results.

PA R K G AT E H O U S E S C H O O L An independent co-educational preparatory school and nursery for children aged 2.5-11

Open Day Saturday 8th October, 9.30am-12pm 80 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 9SD office@parkgate-school.co.uk Tel 020 7350 2452 www.parkgate-school.co.uk

“

Difficulties with Maths? Our son’s tutor, Morgan, has the intellectual rigour one would expect of a graduate with his credentials. However, it was his ability to communicate his subject simply which most impressed me. Discreet, likeable and above all flexible, Morgan was able to adapt to the specific requirements of the job. I would not hesitate to recommend him.

”

T U TO R I N G Helping students fulfil their potential across all subjects

M E N TO R I N G Ensuring students make the most of their opportunities

C O N S U LTA N C Y Leading advice on all aspects of education

www.bonasmacfarlane.co.uk half page ads v2.indd 1

13/07/2016 14:55

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Alleyn’s Junior School

OPEN DAY GUIDE

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS A school open day is a vital part of the process of choosing a school. Who gives the tour, what you’re shown and how questions are answered will tell you a lot. Read on for the most important dates for your diary this autumn

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OPEN DAYS

WANDSWORTH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS Below are state primary schools which have set dates for their autumn term open days. The bulk have yet to decide so check websites in September as dates will be set during that month.

1 Albemarle September 28th 9.30-11am

16 Franciscan Primary School

65 Dolphin School

For nursery and reception, October 13th 9.15am, October 18th 10.45am, November 8th & 17th 9.15am

By appointment; call Mrs Benson, tel 020 7924 3472

25 Honeywell Infant and Junior Schools Tours take place on Thursday mornings

34 Ravenstone Primary Visits by appointment, tel 020 8673 0594

66 Ecole Du Parc September 26th, October 14th & November 21st 3.15pm

67 Eveline Day School October 1st 9am-12pm

39 Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Battersea October 5th & 12th 9.30am

4 Allfarthing Primary School

40 Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School,

October 11th, 19th & 21st, November 4th & 18th, December 7th & January 13th 2017. All at 9.15-10.15am

Roehampton October 5th & 12th 9.30am

68 Eveline Nurseries By appointment, tel 020 8673 3188

69 Finton House School By invitation only to parents already registered

42 St Anselm’s Catholic Primary School November 8th 7pm

70 Hall School Wimbledon Check website in September for dates

44 St Faith’s C of E Primary School October 9th 9am, November 8th 9.30am, November 23rd 9am, December 6th 9.30am. By appointment, tel 020 8874 2653

WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 64 Broomwood Hall School October 13th 9-10.30am (lower school 192 Ramsden Rd & lower school 3 Garrad’s Rd) & October 12th 9-11am (upper school 68-74 Nightingale Lane)

71 Hornsby House School October 13th 9am. Booking advisable

73 Ibstock Place School June 15th, September 28th, November 16th, February 1st 2017, May 3rd & June 21st 9:30am. Registration on website

75 Lion House School September 21st 5pm & September 24th 9am-12pm. Registration via website

EASING THE TRANSITION Ravenstone School

5 Beatrix Potter Primary School Every Tuesday from 2pm

6 Belleville Primary School School is collecting names of interested parties; email with “open morning” as the subject matter to enquiries@ bellevilleschool.org

Transferring from junior to senior school can be an exciting and anxious time for children and parents, as year 7 brings big changes – more pupils, teachers, buildings, challenges and fun. The quickest to adapt are usually those who ask questions and cope well with the odd mistake. Junior schools prepare children by gradually giving them more independence and responsibility. Parents should consider letting children travel unaccompanied, giving them responsibility for a simple mobile phone, practising the school runs and making introductions to others already at the senior school. Attending parental transition meetings and taking children to induction days are critical.

October 4th 9.45-10.15am, November 9th 1.30pm, January 9th 2017 10.30am

Once at the new school, the most important thing parents can do is listen, be supportive and encourage children to find their own solutions. Establish consistent work and organisational habits at home, as positive habits will support achievement throughout secondary school. Don’t worry if your child is not top of the class, captain of the team or leader in the orchestra as they are now a bigger fish in an even bigger pond.

14 Fircroft Primary School

Transition can be harder for parents than children, so parents need to let go, stand back and allow their offspring to fly.

10 Christchurch C of E Primary School

Every Wednesday at 9.30am. Book in advance

Source: Alleyn’s School

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BRACE YOURSELVES… ...THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING Half term is in sight and beyond that Christmas, and the faces of parents on the school gate are already wearing a haunted look. How will you cope? Panic not. When my kids were little, half term and the end of term featured an exhausted teacher who felt she was entitled to her own break. No circus camp for them. I was of the mind that as long as I made their friends welcome and fed them, my part in the deal was at an end. In those days only one child could sit at the computer at a time so they built dens in the garden, spent happy hours making perfume from flowers, served up weird “cocktails” made of mud, set up aerial runways for an army of doomed toys, created tsunamis of warm icing that trickled across every kitchen surface and made mysterious maps. Neither one got to grade 8 on the Japanese nose flute or played for the England cricket team, yet somehow they’ve turned out to be lovely, happy people with good jobs. I love school holidays! Source: Lucy Wheeler, Registrar & Marketing Manager, Finton House

Belleville Primary School

92 Bolingbroke Academy October 6th 5.15-7.15pm & October 8th 9.30-11.30am

93 Burntwood School 76 Merlin School September 30th 1.30pm Booking necessary

77 Newton Prep

OTHER PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN NAPPY VALLEY

October 8th 9.30am-12.30pm

Dulwich College October 12th 9-11am

Junior school October 1st 9.30-12pm, November 10th 1.30-3.15pm

79 Oliver House Preparatory School

Parsons Green Prep School

Individual visits bookable, tel 020 8772 1911

October 8th 10am. Booking necessary

78 Northcote Lodge School

81 Putney High School Open week October 8th-14th. Booking necessary

83 The Falcons School for Girls September 17th & November 12th 10.30-12.30pm

84 The Roche School

WANDSWORTH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 91 Ashcroft Technology Academy September 13th 6-8pm, September 15th & 16th 10-11am. Appointment necessary

September 17th 10.30am-12.30am

Check website for dates in October

95 Ernest Bevin College and Sixth Form Centre September 30th, October 3rd 9-11am, October 4th 5.30-8pm

96 Graveney School Check website for dates in October

99 St John Bosco Catholic School and College September 21st 9am-12pm & 4.45-7.45pm, September 24th 9am-12pm

100 Southfields Academy September 21st, 23rd & 30th 8.4510.45am, October 4th 8.45-10.45am & October 5th 5.30-7.30pm

November 12th 10am-2.30pm

October 5th 10am, 12pm & 2pm. Booking advisable

WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS

87 Thomas’s Clapham Showrounds most Wednesdays & Thursdays, tel 020 7326 9300

88 Wandsworth Preparatory School

104 Emanuel School

September 21st & November 16th 9-11am

October 6th 8.50am. Booking necessary

94 Chestnut Grove

102 St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

85 The St Michael Steiner Waldorf School/London Steiner School

89 Wimbledon High School

September 28th 6-8pm & October 11th 8.45-11am

JK Educate

September 17th 9.30am-12.30pm, September 21st 5.30-7.30pm (sixth form) & May 2nd 2017 2.30-4.30pm. Regular Wednesday open mornings during term time bookable on 020 8870 4171

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105 Hall School Wimbledon November 8th & 22nd open mornings, tel 020 8879 9200

106 Ibstock Place School September 21st 5pm & September 24th 9am- 12pm Registration on website

107 Putney High School Open week October 8th-14th; select times and book online

108 Thomas’s Clapham Showrounds most Wednesdays & Thursdays, tel 020 7326 9300

109 Thames Christian College September 22nd, October 1st & 4th, November 3rd, March 7th, April 25th 11am-1pm

110 Wimbledon High School October 8th 9.30am. Booking necessary

OTHER PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN NAPPY VALLEY Alleyn’s School 11+ and 13+ September 14th 2pm, October 1st 9.30am-12pm, November 2nd 2pm. 16+ October 1st 9.30am-12pm, November 1st 2.30-4.30pm

Ardingly College September 24th (sixth form) & October 8th (senior school & sixth form). Registration required via website or by calling 01444 893320

Cumnor House School October 1st, November 11th 9.30-11.30am

Dulwich College Upper school (years 12 & 13): unlikely to be places as a large year 11 group is moving through the school

JAGS October 8th 10-12pm

King’s College School Wimbledon Whole school open morning September 10th 9am-12.30pm. Sixth form open evening September 14th & 29th 6-8.15pm. Year 7 open evening October 6th 6-7.45pm

Cumnor House School

MAKING THE MOVE In January 2015, King’s College School announced that it was opening its senior school to 11+ entry. This has allowed increased accessibility to the school for all 11-year-olds, regardless of whether they previously attended independent or state junior schools. In the first year of applications, high-quality candidates came from both sectors, and exam results were virtually indistinguishable between the two cohorts.

Sydenham September 13th & 21st 9.15-10.45am, September 24th 9.30-11.30am & October 6th 9.15-10.45am

Trinity School of John Whitgift 10+, 11+, 13+ October 1st. Sixth form October 10th. By appointment, tel 020 8656 9541

Whitgift School September 24th 9am-1pm, October 11th 4-8pm. Informal open days by appointment, tel 020 8633 9935

The 11+ entrance point is incredibly competitive, so parents should select schools carefully to suit the needs of their own child. Entering a child for eight, nine or even ten different schools leads to a very demanding autumn and spring for a ten-year-old, and doesn’t increase the chance of getting an offer. Choosing a suitable school is difficult, so visits are a must. The feel of a school can only be assessed by seeing it in action.

Woldingham

Source: King’s College School

Individual tours bookable on 020 8674 5601

October 1st, May 6th 2017 & June 10th

LAMBETH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 120 Kings Avenue Primary School Individual tours bookable on 020 7622 1208

123 Richard Atkins Primary School

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127 St Mary’s RC Primary School Individual tours bookable tel 020 7622 5479

129 Telferscot Primary School October 7th, 14th & 21st 9.30am, November 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th 9.30am & December 2nd 9.30am. By appointment, tel 020 8673 7362

LAMBETH PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF SCHOOL VISITS When choosing a school, visiting in person can be a powerful tool and can often alter opinions formed from other sources such as league tables or school websites. You might be impressed by grounds and facilities, but try to stay focused on what is important for the development of your child’s needs. Don’t discount first impressions or the “feel” you get for a school. Visit on a normal school day rather than an open day to gain a truer view of school life and observe how staff and children interact. Speak to teachers, pupils and the head teacher. Ideally, visit and compare several schools, then carefully consider all the different aspects that matter to you – academic, social, sporting, ethical, location – before making up your mind. Remember: the “best school” is always the school that best suits your child, where they will feel comfortable and motivated. Source: J K Educate

130 Eaton House The Manor School Tours only for children with a place. Register on the school website for a prospectus with an application form

131 Parkgate House School October 8th, February 25th 2017 & June 10th

133 Streatham & Clapham Prep School October 1st 10-12pm, November 1 & November 29th 9-10.45am. Booking necessary

135 The White House November 26th 9.30-11.30am. No booking necessary

LAMBETH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 136 Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School September 19th & 27th, October 5th 9.30am-12pm; September 20th & October 6th 6.30-9pm. Sixth form October 17th 6.30-9pm

137 Dunraven September 20th 6.30-9pm, September 22nd, 24th & 27th 9.15-10.30am

Teatime Tutors

LAMBETH PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 141 Streatham & Clapham High School

138 Lambeth Academy

September 24th 10am-1pm, October 12th & November 9th 9.15-11.30am; book online

September 27th, October 5th & 7th 9.1510.30am, September 27th 5-8pm

142 The Laurels September 15th 10am-12pm

139 La Retraite RC Girls’ School September 21st 4-7.30pm, September 26th & 28th, October 6th & 7th 9.30am-12pm

NB. For full details of schools, including phone numbers and website addresses, see the school listings starting on page 66.

Alleyn’s Junior School

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CHOOSING A TUTOR Tutoring is a controversial topic. The truth is that some children need to build their confidence and tutoring can help with this. Seeing old exam papers and being given the tools needed to answer questions, whether in maths, English or reasoning, is always a positive move when it comes to exam season. Your child has to like their tutor and form a bond with them. The tutor/ child relationship must be built on trust; a child is never going to admit they are baffled by something if they fear being told off. In addition, parents must be able to approach a tutor with questions and concerns, and the tutor should take the time to put parents and children at ease. Finton House School

Source: Teatime Tutors

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HEAD TEACHER PROFILES

HEADS START A new intake of head teachers is set to make its mark in NappyValleyNet’s schools, says Georgina Blaskey

What changes are you hoping to make?

What do you love about your school?

I want to develop IT, for example using iPads to assess children’s progress in order to build up a profile of every pupil. We’re moving towards portable devices for children in the classroom and there’s a bespoke virtual learning environment in development.

We have 700 acres but we’re only 20 minutes from Clapham Junction. Our sense of community is strong and the environment is nurturing. Our ethos is unashamedly academic but broad – academic endeavour is important but what goes alongside it is equally so. What is your vision for the school?

What challenges do you face? Primary education has an issue to face with assessments and how they are damaging education. It’s about striking a balance between knowing the progress children are making and leaving enough space to have a broad education and grow up at their own speed.

“WE HAVE A PROGRAMME CALLED ‘THRIVE’ TO HELP OUR PUPILS BE RESILIENT AND ROBUST”

Ben Freeman Headmaster of Finton House School since April 2016 What do you love about your new school? I was attracted to it because it is nonselective and inclusive – we have the full range of pupils, including those with special needs. I also love the broad curriculum. It’s not just about jumping through academic hoops – this is a happy school where children love learning and are highly motivated.

What changes are you hoping to make? We are reforming the curriculum alongside A levels to see what academic extras we can add. Mook is an online course set up by universities so pupils can use distance learning. We are planning a multidimensional learning-resource centre. Finally, we are introducing flexi boarding, so girls can stay one or two nights a week.

What is your vision for the school? My task is moving the school from being excellent to exceptional, through a steady development of what we already have. I want to get the children out even more, through camping and walking weekends in the countryside, creating life experiences along the way.

“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT JUMPING THROUGH ACADEMIC HOOPS”

To build academic momentum. I am asking whether we are contemporary in what we offer. We have a programme called “thrive” to help our pupils be resilient and robust. We look at such things as mindfulness, growth mindset and useful mistakes to make in maths! I want the girls to understand that there is a broad definition of success. It’s not just about narrow academic criteria.

What challenges do you face?

Alexandra Hutchinson Headmistress of Woldingham School from September 2016 (previously Deputy Head)

There is endless scaremongering about girls’ schools in the press, but it’s a natural and special environment that encourages courage and confidence. Pupils develop academic standing and quiet confidence. We take a healthy mind, health body approach, telling girls that being themselves is the best thing they can be.

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Project3_Layout 1 08/02/2016 18:08 Page 1

we’re not just preparing children for the next step, but for life. They need a global perspective and the skills to seek out opportunities – change can be embraced as positive.

Rampton Baseley All about the common

Nicola Baldwin Principal of Dolphin School from September 2016 (previously Head at St Peter’s Westminster) What do you love about your new school? Its ethos shines through in the children. I was impressed with the governing body and realised that this was a place where children can thrive. It’s an exciting and fantastic school and the pupils are charged with excitement to be the best they can. They care for and support each other. The school’s Christian ethos also fits well with my background. What changes are you hoping to make? I am going to build on existing successes and review everything that’s happening and working. Then I will look at ways the school can grow. It’s about taking something that’s working well and enhancing it.

“IT’S AN EXCITING AND FANTASTIC SCHOOL AND THE PUPILS ARE CHARGED WITH EXCITEMENT” What challenges do you face? Education is always changing but we’re taking a clear, holistic view of how our children will be equipped for the future. We want them to contribute to society and to be true to themselves. We’re very aware that

Joe Croft Head Teacher at Ravenstone Primary School from September 2016 (previously Deputy Head at The Smallberry Green Primary School, Hounslow) What do you love about your new school? My first impressions were the beaming smiles from the enthusiastic and polite children who welcomed me. Every member of staff I met and every child I spoke to impressed me with their drive and passion to improve. What is your vision for the school? The continuous improvement of every aspect of school life. We seek to deliver an outstanding educational experience for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Enthusiasm, enjoyment, creativity, imagination and high expectations of both pupils and staff are at the centre of a wide variety of learning activities. I hope to see staff develop into successful leaders who continue to improve. This will ensure that every child will be treated as an individual and provided with every opportunity to flourish and become a successful young adult.

30 Bellevue Road London SW17 7EF 020 3846 0999

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“I WANT PARENTS TO COME AND VIEW THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT IS GOING ON, HOW HAPPY THE CHILDREN ARE, THE CONSTANTLY IMPROVING RESULTS” What changes are you hoping to make?

A brand new property, nestled in a quiet location, with a 24-hour caretaker

The school has worked tirelessly to introduce changes needed to ensure the quality of education is “good”. This was achieved when Ofsted visited this year. I will build on this and introduce key changes to improve outcomes for pupils and the confidence of staff to deliver outstanding lessons. I want children to come into school with a smile on their face knowing that they will be challenged, respected and expected to work hard on a broad curriculum that develops them academically, personally and socially. What challenges do you face? The school is full of passionate, hardworking teachers who want the best for the children and by fostering and encouraging this ethos, challenges will be overcome. I want parents to come and view the wonderful work that is going on, how happy the children are, the constantly improving results, the focus on the whole child and the quality of learning.

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Mark Smith Headmaster of Northcote Lodge since September 2015 What do you love about your school? It is the only prep school in London which offers the same holistic education as the top country prep schools. We have a long school day with boys staying for prep, tea and after-school activities, allowing us a real insight into each boy, getting to know them really well.

“I WANT THE SCHOOL TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATION” What is your vision for the school? I’ve spent my first year auditing everything we do. The Independent Schools Inspectorate recently judged us to be an excellent school. I want the school to continue to provide an outstanding education, providing academic and pastoral support for every boy. What changes are you hoping to make?

Ravenstone Primary School

While I don’t have any plans for major changes there are minor adjustments. We are welcoming some excellent new staff and are looking forward to improving the range of specialist sports coaches.

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What challenges do you face? The school is very over subscribed. The biggest challenge we face is that we can’t accommodate many of the boys who apply. Space in London is always an issue and we have to think creatively to provide the best facilities we can.

“THE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES IS EXTRAORDINARY, AND PUPILS THRIVE BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND IN THEIR CO-CURRICULAR INTERESTS”

What do you love about your new school?

What changes are you hoping to make?

What is your vision for the school?

I am very ambitious for Trinity. We are confident that our education prepares pupils well for university or work, but responding to changes in the demands of these environments will continue to shape our provision. In terms of success in life in its broadest sense the research has never been clearer. Qualities such as zest, grit, curiosity, gratitude, social intelligence and self-control matter most, so our task is to nurture these even more effectively in our pupils.

For Cumnor House Boys to remain the leading 13+ prep school in the area; for teachers to be passionate about their subjects and inspire the boys; for pupils to achieve more than they thought possible and to be involved in the many different areas of school life.

What challenges do you face?

Alasdair Kennedy Headmaster at Trinity School from September 2016 (previously Deputy Master Academic at Dulwich College)

The biggest factor behind pupil success and enjoyment is quality of teaching. The challenge for Trinity is to continue as a market leader in teaching and learning, and in the way that we develop each individual.

“MANY REACH VERY HIGH STANDARDS ACADEMICALLY, IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND ON THE SPORTS FIELD” What changes do you intend to make? In a successful school like Cumnor House, one does not need to make wholesale changes. There will certainly be some fine tuning. I want to enhance certain facilities within the school. I also see opportunities to work more closely with the equally successful Cumnor House Girls’ School.

What do you love about your new school? You get a strong sense of a very supportive but ambitious and purposeful community. The range of opportunities is extraordinary, and pupils thrive both academically and in their co-curricular interests. There is a culture of excellence without the elitism or sense of entitlement among our pupils that sometimes come with it. We have a very strong commitment to access, with 50% of pupils receiving fee support. Lastly, the site is a great asset – bright, modern and functional buildings with acres of green space, yet so close to London.

What challenges do you face? Competition for places at the best senior schools in the area remains high. We must make sure Cumnor House pupils are best placed to be successful in the assessment process. I believe it is also important to maintain high academic standards in Sat Key Stage 3. This will ensure that our boys transition smoothly to their senior schools, where we know they become excellent role models for other students.

What is your vision for the school? To ensure that pupils leave us as confident, teachable, highly qualified and employable young people, with the character to be influencers for good. We are committed to developing the broader skills and interests of each pupil, while acknowledging that a foundation of excellent academic credentials will open up the best opportunities for them.

The atmosphere when you walk in. The boys are very polite, respectful and hard working. All have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events and activities, both in and outside the classroom. Many reach very high standards academically, in the performing arts and on the sports field. They clearly really enjoy their school experiences.

Floyd Steadman Headmaster at Cumnor House Boys’ School from September 2016 (previously Headmaster at Clifton Lodge)

“THE BOYS ARE VERY POLITE, RESPECTFUL AND HARD WORKING”

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SCHOOL PROFILE

BLUE IS THE COLOUR Driving around South-West London one cannot help but catch sight of multiple blue signs for Eveline Day and Nursery Schools (EDNS). At the last count there were six nurseries, spanning Wimbledon, Rayne’s Park, Tooting and Wandsworth, plus a prep school in Balham High Road. Working parents know that it’s hard to beat the company’s wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.30pm and “outstanding” service 51 weeks of the year for children from three months to 11 years

It’s all thanks to Maria Keaveney-Jessiman who, as a working mother in the Sixties, had the kernel of the idea for Eveline Day and Nursery Schools. 54 years later she is still an integral part of the management team. Saying that EDNS is a family affair is an understatement. Maria’s sisters, son, daughter and grandchildren all have a part to play, which translates into a safe, secure, warm, caring environment for children. The fact that many staff are long serving – over 20 years in some cases –speaks volumes.

“OUR VISION IS TO DEVELOP A LOVE OF LEARNING AND AN ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE AND TO NURTURE ENQUIRING MINDS” Of course, EDNS isn’t just about the hours of wraparound care. Ofsted has variously rated the nurseries “good” and “outstanding” and the company’s aim is to provide the best care and education by creating a stimulating environment and a close relationship between parents and staff. “Our vision is to develop a love of learning and an enthusiasm for life and to nurture enquiring minds,” explains Day School Educational Director Eveline Drut, daughter of the founder. “We believe that each child will grow and develop at their own rate. The better the environment, the more the child’s brain is stimulated and the nearer each child

will be to attaining their own potential.” Children here – many of whom are international – feel part of a family and can stay in that family environment until the age of 11 at the Eveline Day School, located at Swan House, an impressive white building on Balham High Road which offers places for 120 students. Some 50% of nursery children transfer to the prep school. With small class sizes and high academic achievement, and a passion for sport, the performing arts and languages, Eveline Day School develops confident children who go on to gain scholarships and entrance to all the top schools, among them Alleyn’s, JAGS, Wimbledon High, Whitgift, Streatham & Clapham, Emanuel and Wilson’s. There’s a lot on offer at Eveline Day School – recent activities include residential trips, winning the Wandsworth Spelling Bee,

year 6 competing in the borough’s debating scheme, interschool matches and musical performances at venues such as The Royal Festival Hall. The latest project for the under-fives is “forest school”. Children don waterproof all-in-ones, are free to explore outdoors and are encouraged to get dirty. “We focus on children’s strengths and this adds to their confidence and instils independence,” says Eveline Drut. She is a strong believer that music helps develop the mind and all students from the age of seven play an instrument. During their time at Eveline Day School, children develop a strong sense of awareness and they have noticeably high levels of self-esteem. Each child has their own talents; as the school says, “Our aim as educators is to prepare them for their next developmental stage.”

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SCHOOL PROFILE

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD Two independent, single-sex day schools in Surrey - Cumnor House School - are proving to be a big magnet for parents in South-West London

Roedean and the grammar schools of Wallington and Nonsuch. Davies believes that the combination of a broad and balanced curriculum, mixing academic subjects with music, arts and sports, and quality teaching is key. “We have two focuses,” he says: “Getting the child into the right school and preparing them for life.” Cumnor House School for Boys’ sporting heritage is a particular lure for some. The under 11s are currently ranked number one in the country for cricket, and the school’s swimming team had got through to the national finals at the time of writing. There was a cricket tour to South Africa in the offing and palpable excitement at the prospect of former Saracens player Floyd Steadman joining as the new Head of the boys’ school this September.

“THE COMBINATION OF A BROAD AND BALANCED CURRICULUM IS KEY”

Drive along an unpretentious urban road in South Croydon and you could almost miss the large cream building, unremarkable save for the red sign declaring that it’s Cumnor House School for Boys. The school’s large sports fields are practically opposite. Cumnor House School for Girls is located in a beautifully tranquil setting, behind automatic gates on a private road off another surburban street, this time in Purley. The boys’ school dates back to the Thirties, and is three-form entry. The girls’ school is a more recent addition to the fold, having opened in 2010. While it began life as a one-form entry school, by 2018 it will be two form throughout.

School buses find their way to both locations every day – from Streatham, Balham and Clapham – unloading children in their smart red blazers, caps and boaters. Both schools, and two outstanding nurseries, are part of the 65-strong Cognita Group of schools worldwide and Robin Davies, the company’s Assistant Director of Education and a governor, explains their appeal for local children. “These are highly effective schools. Boys go on to a range of top schools including Westminster, Dulwich, Charterhouse, Whitgift and Trinity when they leave, yet we are a mixed-ability school.” Girls leave for Woldingham, Caterham, Royal Russell,

Cumnor House School for Girls’ new Head Dina Mallett is very excited about the rapid expansion of the girls’ school. “What we do is something quite special,” she says. With a waiting list for year 4 places, that seems to be the case. Cumnor Girls develops super-confident girls: year 3 girls gave a (harmonious) music concert only three months after choosing one of five instruments to learn; year 5 independently staged a Brexit debate for assembly, while the same year group chose the theme of successful women to rename the four houses in the school. ”These are the women of the future,” says Mallett proudly. Cumnor’s ethos is “work hard, play hard”, and each new four-year-old who walks through the doors is inculcated in the Cumnor Way, eight values that underpin their teaching. They include listening, sharing, kindness and to do your best to be yourself. Cumnor also prides itself on its match-making skills in suggesting the right senior school, even if it doesn’t meet parental expectations. “We look at the DNA of the child, we write truthful reports and we target the school which is right for them,” explains Davies. “Some won’t be right for Westminster, for example, but we prepare them for their next journey.”

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SPECIAL NEEDS

THE RIGHT FIT Marrying your child to the right school is challenging enough, but if they have special educational needs, the task becomes even more complex, explains Gillian Upton Fairley House School

Fairley House School

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“OUR LITERACY AND NUMERACY LESSONS ARE TARGETED AT WHAT THE CHILD NEEDS IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE REGULAR CURRICULUM” McLeod Centre for Learning

With the child population growing, the demand for provision of support for children and young people with special needs is growing too. The aim of local authorities is to enable as many children as possible to access a mainstream education, even though the trend for schools to go down an ever more academic route means increasingly frequent tests, which may be far beyond some children. There are also practical challenges, such as when a physically disabled child can only access classrooms on the ground floor and there is no lift; or when a child has no peer group with whom to undertake a particular activity. When it comes to some types of specialist provision, a Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit or school may be more appropriate. “Inclusion has to be meaningful; it’s not just about being there,” says Carol Payne, Head of Special Needs, Disability and Psychology at Wandsworth Council. “We don’t want children to feel isolated.” A small proportion of children (just over 2% of the child population) may have significant needs which require a statutory Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment. The outcome of the assessment may lead to the child

DID YOU KNOW… … THAT EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE A RARE BREED, WITH ONLY 2,000 OF THEM FOR THE WHOLE OF THE UK? having an Education, Health and Care Plan and consideration being given to whether the child’s needs would be better met in a mainstream or special school. In the Borough of Wandsworth, for example, there are 12 specialist resource bases which are part of mainstream schools, and seven special schools (see page 81). “For the majority of children it’s a comprehensive provision,” says Payne. The challenge, however, lies in anticipating demand. “That’s a vexed question for all authorities,” she says. Autism is one of the most prevalent conditions catered for in specialist resource bases and special schools. The spectrum of needs and the views of parents and carers dictates the best placement. There

are resource bases for children with autistic spectrum disorder in a number of mainstream schools in Wandsworth, namely Ashcroft Technology Academy, Sacred Heart Primary School, Southmead Primary School, Tooting Primary School and St John Bosco College. Southfields Academy has a resource base for children with speech, language and communication needs and Smallwood Primary School has a language unit. There are also resource bases for nursery-aged children at Hillbrook Primary School and Eastwood Nursery. In addition, three special schools cater for children with autistic spectrum disorder and different levels of learning difficulty: Bradstow School in Kent, Garratt Park School and Paddock School. SEN covers a broad range of learning difficulties, ranging from dyslexia, multiple learning difficulties and physical disabilities to breathing difficulties, feeding difficulties and sensory difficulties such as visual and hearing impairment. Greenmead Primary School, for example, is a mixed day school for children with physical disabilities and/or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Linden Lodge School caters for children with severe visual impairment and other complex needs, Oak Lodge Primary School

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for deaf and language-impaired students. In the maintained sector in Wandsworth, Sellincourt Primary School and Southfields Academy have units for pupils with hearing impairment, and The Alton Primary School has a resource base provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. Paddock School, which has sites in Putney and Roehampton, caters for pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorders. It will be able to offer 60 more places when it moves to a larger site vacated by Greenmead School in Putney. Greenmead, for children with physical and/or severe and profound learning disabilities, is being co-located with Ronald Ross Primary School in West Hill. SEN provision in Wandsworth’s special schools extends to the age of 19. Some young people continue to access support in colleges of further education (FE) and South Thames College has a specialist resource for young people between 19 and 22 years old. “The big focus is to support those young people who are able to move on to employment,” says Payne. If it is not possible to find an appropriate placement for a child with SEN in their local borough, the local authority will look to

another borough or the independent sector. occupational therapies. The school is also a Ultimately, it’s a collaborative process, training centre for teachers who want skills particularly since parents can express a in teaching and assessing dyslexic students. preference under the new SEN code. “If It offers the nationally recognised OCR it’s a reasonable choice we will consider courses at level 5 and 7. it and try to meet the need,” says Payne. The school’s success rate is impressive, If parents are unhappy with the decision, with one former pupil achieving a doctorate disagreement-resolution teams work with at Cambridge and the majority going on to families to avoid an appeal to the SEN and achieve good degrees. “You can’t get rid of Disability Tribunal. Parents are also able to dyslexia but if strategies are incorporated access mediation provided by independent and the school embraces the support, organisations. Less than 5% go through children can learn to manage it and this process. blossom,” says Tham. “When they come to Timing may push parents into the private us their self-esteem may be low, they may sector as waiting lists for assessments by be being bullied and they’re struggling at educational psychologists can run into school. Some parents are really well versed many months. If you are prepared to pay, in the condition while others are devastated. your child will be assessed within weeks. Our job is to make it less of a minefield. If “Our lead time is two weeks,” says Melanie the child skips out of here accompanied by Tham, the Administrator for Fairley House relieved parents, we have done our job.” Assessment Clinic. Opened in 2015 to meet The journey begins with the assessment, increasing demand from the private and which takes just over two hours for a series state sector, it is part of the Fairley House of IQ tests made up of verbal, non-verbal full-time school which offers intensive memory and processing tests to check support to children with dyslexia and cognitive ability, followed by academic dyspraxia over two to three years, after tests in literacy and numeracy to check which they return to mainstream schooling. attainment levels. This is followed by The school’s USP is the integration of parental feedback the same day. “We don’t education with speech and language and sit on 14/07/2016 the fence,” says Tham. MLC-97x124_MLC97x124.5 16:48 Page“If 1 there is a

Fairley House Assessment Clinic Fairley House has an international reputation in the identification and treatment of Specific Learning Difficulties. We use our expertise to pinpoint the factors holding your child back and what you can do to help them move forward. We offer a range of diagnostic assessments for SpLD: • • • • • •

Educational Psychology Assessment Specialist Teacher Assessment Speech and Language Assessment Occupational Therapy Assessment Access Arrangement Assessment Multi-Disciplinary Assessment

At The McLeod Centre for Learning, which has CReSTeD accreditation, children work with Specialist Teachers to address their learning needs within a nurturing environment. • Morning School (4-11 years) for English (dyslexia), maths, (dyscalculia) and touch-typing/handwriting (dyspraxia). Group lessons no larger than three and often individual. • After-school (4-18 years) for general tutoring (all subjects), exam tutoring and interview practice as well as remedial handwriting, touch-typing and SEND support.

Our assessment process is holistic. Our diagnostic reports are rich and comprehensive. Together, we can help your child.

• Holiday courses (4-18 years) for intensive remedial handwriting, touch-typing, study skills and exam tutoring.

For an initial, in confidence conversation please contact: Melanie Tham Telephone: 0207 976 5456 Email: mtham@fairleyhouse.org.uk Fairley House, 30 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU

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McLeod Centre for Learning

diagnosis of dyslexia we will tell you. There’s a benefit to having a label as then you can get the right help.” The basic premise of Fairley House school is that it’s short term, a maximum of two to three years of daily, specialised learning, sitting in small classes to focus on reading, writing, spelling, maths, working memory, handwriting and concentration levels. It also offers a full curriculum and all the normal school events such as plays and sporting fixtures. The school spans two sites, the junior school for years 1 to 5 and senior for years 6 to 11. “The earlier the problem is identified the better,” says Fairley House Registrar Patricia Snowdon. “In nearly all cases we can help them enormously. We can diagnose from year 1 but children may come at any age. When they leave us we have a thorough discussion with the head to decide if they need continued support.” Another choice is The McLeod Centre for Learning in Pimlico. This independent morning school sourced SEN teachers for Thomas’s schools, for example, and other private schools such as Parkgate House, and Sussex House use the centre as their SEN provision. “It’s for children who have had learning support at school but who are not moving forwards,” explains Head Amanda McLeod. “Instead of going to a full-time specialist school, they come to us one to five mornings each week for three hours of individual support. They will have an individual programme written for them and be taught here in groups of up to three, for two or three terms, allowing them to catch up.” The school has four strands to its

business. Aside from the school, it specialises in handwriting, runs a general tutorial centre, which can help with anything from study skills for A levels to phonics, and it also runs touch-typing courses. The centre has eight highly qualified dyslexia teachers and its aim is to get children back into mainstream education. “Our literacy and numeracy lessons are targeted at what the child needs in order to access the regular curriculum,” says McLeod. “This avoids an hour’s lesson after school, missing lessons within school and breaking up their friendship groups. It means that they can really enjoy childhood.” It’s reassuring to know that help is at hand to ensure that children receive the right support and can thrive during their educational journey.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Details of services for children with special needs and disabilities can be found in the Wandsworth Local Offer through the following web link: http://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/ wandsworth/fsd/localoffer.page Wandsworth Council publishes booklets each year to help parents who are looking for a school place in the borough. The booklets include information about support in schools for pupils with special educational needs: http://www.wandsworth.gov. uk/downloads/100005/schools_and_ admissions

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SCHOOL PROFILE

POWER HOUSE PREP “I started the school for my children because I wanted the best for them; now my grandchildren come here and I want the best for them too,” explains Mary McCahery, Principal and founder of The White House

Mary’s vision permeates every aspect of this small, independent prep school and nursery, but don’t be under the illusion it’s remained where it was when she opened the doors 30 years ago – with recent investment in ICT, including a new suite, and a cuttingedge science curriculum (years 5 and 6 recently made their DNA into necklaces), The White House is a power house on the local private education scene. “We see our size as a positive attribute,” says Headmaster Dan Cummings. “Standards are high and our children benefit from the individual attention they receive due to our adult to pupil ratio.” Dan’s son in year 6 knows all the children well, even those in the day nursery. “While big schools can be intimidating, ours has a supportive, enjoyable and fun atmosphere which leads to an exciting, dynamic environment enriched with outdoor learning.”

“STANDARDS ARE HIGH BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION THEY RECEIVE” Whether they’re from the affiliated Woodentops day nursery, the kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, or fresh in aged five for reception, every child learns The White House work ethic and ethos from day one. There is a gradual process of having high expectations and keeping that trajectory of progress on track throughout

their education. “We focus on continued curriculum development to remain at the forefront of teaching and academic excellence,” Dan continues. “There is no glass ceiling – we give every child the opportunity to keep growing and excelling. Their development is not capped – we help them discover the things that interest them and ignite their passion for learning. This helps develop their inner confidence in preparation for ‘big school’.” All this takes place in an exceptionally nurturing environment. “This is a living, breathing family school,” says Mary’s daughter Sarah, who is Principal of the Woodentops Abbeville day nursery (her daughter Cora also attends The White House). “We have excellent relationships with our families and help them to settle in quickly.” Parents and children alike are encouraged to get to know their peers and to meet the parent association reps, who help organise play dates and social engagements with other parents. Every element of the school is celebrated equally – music, drama, sport and more – so all pupils can shine, and the rites of passage along the way help young minds to become confident and honest, retaining innocence and avoiding arrogance. “From the day they wear the uniform to becoming part of a house, graduating to real desks and pens, becoming prefects, having bigger roles in plays and finishing with a trip abroad, every child completes a journey here,” reflects Mary. “Our job is to draw them in with everything that inspires them about school life and then deliver the results.” With leavers going on to the top London day schools, such as JAGS, Dulwich Collge, Alleyn’s, Graveney, Whitgift and Putney High – many on scholarships – Mary and her team have created a unique school whose size is its secret weapon. “A small school doesn’t have to have fewer opportunities,” she smiles. “Here, children get to be children.”

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WELLBEING

SAFE AND SOUND We want our children to thrive at school but also to be happy. Parents and teachers are challenged by a variety of outside influences but help is at hand, says Gillian Upton

King’s College School

6-PAGE SPECIAL REPORT

Building resilience at school and at home • How to cope with bullying behaviour • Dealing with friendship groups at school • How to have a failure-friendly home • Handling social pressures

www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Smaller school Bigger opportunities

Open morning Saturday 1st October 10.00-13.00

Exceptional independent school near Clapham Junction For full list of open mornings, enrolment and fee details contact 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, London SW11 2HB

Scholarships available

CONFIDENCE

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SUCCESS

ENTHUSIASM

Choosing a Primary and Secondary school in Wandsworth

Choose a Primary School

Choose a Secondary School

Closing date for applications for September 2017: 15 January 2017.

Closing date for applications for September 2017: 31 October 2016.

For a copy of the admissions brochure email admissions@wandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8871 7316.

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For further information and to apply online visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions

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When Prince William waded into the cyber bullying debate in June with the launch of a task force to make online safer for our children, it placed this issue and the broader subject of wellbeing firmly on the table. Girls developing eating disorders, boys taking their own lives, the torment of the classroom – cyber bullying is the dark side of the web and presents massive danger for our children. All schools take children’s wellbeing very seriously indeed. A school structure that has various safety nets, such as a house system, housemasters, tutors, good pastoral care and a strong co-curriculum where teachers meet pupils in different guises should catch vulnerable students, whatever their issues. “As staff practitioners we’re horrified,” says Andy Skinnard, Senior Deputy Head at co-ed school Alleyn’s. The school has appointed “digital mentors” this year, all older pupils, to flag up the dangers of the internet to younger pupils during dedicated periods of the school week.

“ALL SCHOOLS TAKE CHILDREN’S WELLBEING VERY SERIOUSLY INDEED” DEALING WITH FRIENDSHIP GROUPS AT SCHOOL For most parents, the biggest fear for our children’s school years is not disappointing exam results but a child who is unhappy or finding it difficult to fit into a peer group. First, establish the facts. For example, is there one individual or a group making life difficult? If so, why? Are they being provoked by your child? Is what your child describes at home being seen by staff? An initial dialogue with the class teacher is essential. Good pastoral care will see an investigation conducted within 24 hours, and an agreed time frame. If required, arrange a follow-up meeting to agree on a course of action and give it time to work. If you are not happy with the outcomes, speak to a member of the senior management team. As a last resort, arrange a meeting with the head. A word of caution: It is normal for primary-school children to be fickle and we need to allow them to choose and discover friends for themselves. Source: Hornsby House

The White House

Most schools have an e-safety policy (formerly an ICT policy) to cover social media that children, parents and staff must sign and adhere to. The heart of the problem, however, lies with the digital communications and images they receive from outside school, the sexting of messages, pictures and videos. Cyber bullying is exacerbated by the fact that children tend not to say anything – terrified that they’ll be worse off if they report the problem – so it’s up to teachers and parents to notice new patterns of behaviour. At another co-ed school, Emanuel, teachers urge children never to suffer in silence if they are feeling bullied or have friendship issues or other anxieties. “There

“A SCHOOL MUST ENABLE KIDS TO FEEL INDIVIDUALLY VALUED AND THAT THEY CAN ASK ANY QUESTION AND NOT BE RIDICULED” are plenty of people here to help them,” explains Registrar Paul McMahon, “such as tutors, heads of section, two chaplains who are also trained counsellors, and a part-time nurse who specialises in counselling. “In addition, all pupils have weekly ‘life

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skills’ lessons with their form tutors where these sorts of issues can be discussed and where important skills such as resilience can be learnt.” What’s key is to build a child’s self worth. Schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and school clubs can help enormously in this. “At the root of it all is not believing in themselves,” says Elaine Halligan, London Director of The Parent Practice, an organisation which helps parents to bring out the best in their children.

“GIRLS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE AS THEY FORM CLIQUES AND TRAVEL UP AND DOWN A SOCIAL LADDER” Girls are particularly vulnerable, says Halligan, as they form cliques and travel up and down a social ladder. She cites a typical scenario: “The queen bee girl personifies perfectionism and is the centre of attention; the others are wannabees who will do anything

Newton Preparatory School

HOW TO COPE WITH BULLYING BEHAVIOUR Ignoring bullying behaviour is sometimes a good strategy because the bully is trying to provoke the other person, but if parents are advising to ignore they first need to: • Acknowledge how upsetting it is for the person being bullied and do some emotion coaching: “I‘m guessing that when you were not invited to Harry’s birthday party that really upset you and may have left you feeling a bit lonely.” • Descriptively praise your child for telling someone about it: “It’s mature and brave to talk to me about this.” • Practise with your child what to do in response to the behaviour, for example what they can say, how they should look (bored, not upset), how they can use body language effectively. Teach your child to stand straight and make eye contact and role play some useful comebacks that won’t exacerbate the problem, such as:

“Whatever” “Uh-huh, ok, yeah right,” roll eyes and walk away. “Really? I didn’t know that” “Oh you think so?” “That’s your opinion but not mine” “Am I supposed to care?” “I guess you think that’s funny?” Source: The Parent Practice

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BUILDING RESILIENCE AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME We all know the importance of resilience and being able to “bounce back” but how do we help children achieve this? Firstly it’s very important that adults are role models, being able to take life’s ups and downs in their stride, then children will want to show this too. Show them that any mistake isn’t a disaster but can actually build a “bridge to success” next time. Celebrating success is important; children gain confidence from having achieved but it’s important we don’t go overboard. Humour is also very important. Can children laugh at themselves and not take themselves too seriously? Can we as adults? If the answer is yes then our children are a step closer to becoming more resilient. Source: Parkgate School

to be part of the group, they are people pleasers looking for external recognition.” Halligan also highlights a new cyber-bullying phenomenon – bullies ignore a victim’s post so they receive no likes and feel isolated. Parents need to watch the vocabulary they use with their children, eschewing words such as “victim” and “bullying”. “Children can problem solve,” says Halligan, while parents need coaching to help change their child’s view of themselves. Advising your child to ignore the bullies or to find another sport if they’re no good at one is not helpful. “It’s disempowering,” she says. “Don’t be too quick with advice as it suggests that children don’t know what to do. They learn

helplessness and become risk averse.” See the panel (page 62) for Halligan’s top tips on how best to tackle this issue. Alleyn’s reckons it does have the right structure in place to recognise behavioural change, and takes a holistic view of student wellbeing. For example, years 7 to 11 are formally taught “learning about learning”, which includes resilience, how to cope

with failure and that it’s OK if they don’t understand things right away. “In year 9, we give comments rather than scores so students don’t obsess about the result. They can learn the score later,” explains Skinnard. “A school must enable kids to feel individually valued and that they can ask any question and not be ridiculed.” Why have our children become so

HOW TO HAVE A FAILURE-FRIENDLY HOME 1. Model resilient behaviour Let children see from you the kind of behaviour you want from them. So take risks in your own life, let them know you are doing it, be open with them about the challenges you are facing and the fears you have about trying something new. If you fail at something, tell them – let them see you can deal with failure and move forwards. 2. Give them problems to solve Girls especially need to be encouraged in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), and you can help to do this by involving them in mathematical discussions in the supermarket or about pocket money spending and budgeting; or asking them to work out how to use the latest household gadget you have acquired. 3. Don’t put ideas into their heads The most frustrating phrases for teachers to hear at parents’ evenings are: “Oh she takes after me – I’m rubbish at languages”; “We’re just not a maths-y family’”; “I always hated science”. These comments will make your child think that their intelligence has already been decided. It gives them an excuse to “opt out”. It isn’t about you. What your child needs to hear is that, whatever their level

of achievement in maths, they can improve, their intelligence is flexible and they can forge their own path. Praise them for showing more aptitude for a particular subject than their father, aunt, uncle etc. Giving them confidence and watching them allow themselves to be good at a subject will be a great reward. 4. Asking the right questions If your child can ask the right kinds of questions in an effective way they will gain a great deal. Teachers have been known to limit students to two questions each per lesson. It forces them to construct their question in the most effective way they can. You can do this at home with “three-question Thursdays” for example. 5. Encourage independent thought Alongside questioning skills come “thinking skills”, ie the ability to think around new problems and come up with ideas and potential solutions. These are often the skills lacking in bright, academic students. Developing this means developing skills that will allow them to converse with anyone about anything; to be delightful dinner guests and eloquent, thoughtful, sparky young adults. Nothing will faze them and their self-esteem and resilience will improve. Source: Sydenham High School

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anxious? Is social media at the root of all the wellbeing issues? Skinnard thinks that the recession made some parents panic and become anxious about outcomes, whether it be which university their child gets into or whether it’s the right school earlier in their educational journey. “It’s societal pressure,” he says. Wimbledon High, an all-girls school, has championed wellbeing and brought over American research psychologist Angela Duckworth from Harvard to teach the girls how to develop “grit”. Grit helps them overcome periods of stress and negative life events when they are prone to lose selfdiscipline. Sydenham High, another all-girls school, has also been proactive in this area, particularly in advising parents and students how to reduce exam stress. “We all have a duty to break the cycle of anxiety that is

HANDLING SOCIAL PRESSURES AND BULLYING If your child is having difficulties in their friendship groups or being bullied, as a parent it can be difficult not to get too involved, especially if you are feeling angry and upset. Whilst listening without offering advice can be incredibly challenging, keeping an open mind and trying to get information from your child’s perspective is more important than trying to solve the problem for them. Communicating clearly and quickly with the school is crucial. As a school with pupils from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, Thames Christian College recognises that every child is unique and benefits from being understood, valued and listened to. Forums such as the school’s “thinking breakfast” are used to emphasise the importance of encouraging each other and engaging in discussion. This process builds confidence and enables pupils to acquire the tools to negotiate difficult situations and circumstances successfully, ultimately learning to make the right choices for themselves. The goal is to provide pupils with the resilience and life skills to thrive on their own in the real world. Source: Thames Christian College

plaguing too many teenage lives,” says the school. Sydenham’s strategy is to develop emotional and psychological resilience and wellbeing in the very earliest years of child development. Open and strong parent dialogue and partnership between parents and practitioners to nurture and develop young learners are the absolute minimum requirement.

“CHILDREN CAN ONLY DEAL WITH FAILURE IF THEY’VE DEVELOPED RESILIENCE” Sydenham launched a “flourish and fly” programme in its junior school last year. Complementing the school’s Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE) curriculum, it aims to stretch ability, build confidence and develop collaborative working through

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Putney High School

themed weeks each half term, culminating in a week of special activities and challenges. The school’s Dr Elyse Waites, Head of Biology and Professional Skills Programme Coordinator, is a proponent of building resilience in children, advising parents on how to have a “failure-friendly” home. See panel on page 63. Parent Practice’s Elaine Halligan concurs. “Children can only deal with failure if they’ve developed resilience,” she says. “You must praise your children, specifically validate them.” Dr Waites adds, “Never allowing your children to get something wrong, to fail and to pick themselves back up is doing them a disservice. They must be challenged and encouraged to question the world around them from an early age. They must try new things and be allowed to explore their potential so they can find their passions and make informed choices about their future, be that academic qualifications, further education options or job interviews. Helping to build resilience in a child is the greatest gift you can give.”

REAL PARENTING FOR REAL KIDS Elaine Halligan, London Director of Parent Practice, says we’re parenting in a generation that has never been so complicated. Her colleague Melissa Hood has written Real Parenting for Real Kids, published by Practical Inspiration Publishing, £16.99.

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Nappy Valley Schools Directory KEY FOR STATE SCHOOLS A Academy school F Foundation school V Voluntary aided school (C of E, Catholic, Muslim)

WANDSWORTH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS F

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Princes Way, SW19 6JP T: 020 8788 3170 E: info@albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs T Moses Pupils: 209 Ages: Nursery to year 6 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus holiday clubs

2 Alderbrook Primary School

Rated good by Ofsted Oldridge Road, Balham SW12 8PP T: 020 8673 4913 E: info@alderbrook.wandsworth.sch.uk alderbrookprimaryschool.co.uk Head: Ms S Henry Pupils: 233 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care and a range of school clubs

3 All Saints’ C of E Primary School, Putney V Nurtures individuality, provides challenge, develops self-esteem and promotes respect and care for each other T: 020 8788 5196 E: admin@allsaints.wandsworth allsaints.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Ms C Wood

T: 020 8874 5429 E: info@brandlehow.wandsworth.sch.uk brandlehow.ik.org

St Ann’s Crescent, SW18 2LR T: 020 8874 1301 E: info@allfarthing.wandsworth.sch.uk allfarthing.wandsworth.sch.uk

8 Broadwater Primary School

Pupil care, guidance and support praised by Ofsted in its last report

Head: Ms A Silke Pupils: 377 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

Broadwater Road, Tooting SW17 0DZ

Leavers’ destinations: Ashcroft Technology College, Wallington Grammar, Burntwood, London Oratory, Ernest Bevin, Graveney, Lady Margaret’s, Ricards Lodge, Fulham Boys, St Cecilia’s, Southfields Academy plus a range of private schools

5 Beatrix Potter Primary School

Leavers’ destinations: St Cecilia’s, Ashcroft Technology College, Southfields Academy

Brandlehow Road, Putney SW15 2ED

Head: Ms E Loughnan MA Pupils: 330 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Rated good by Ofsted

Gender: mixed

Rated outstanding by Ofsted

4 Allfarthing Primary School

Class size: maximum 30

Putney Common, SW15 1HL

7 Brandlehow Primary School

Leavers’ destinations: Christ’s School, St James School for boys, Emanuel, Ibstock Place, St Cecilia’s

C Community school

1 Albemarle Primary School

Pupils: 260 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

T: 020 8672 3062 E: admin@broadwater.wandsworth.sch.uk broadwaterschool.org.uk Head: Mrs S Adams Pupils: 378 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

9 Chesterton Primary School

Rated good by Ofsted

Shares a vision of individuals who exceed expectations and enjoy education

Magdalen Road, Earlsfield SW18 3ER

Dagnall Street, SW11 5DT

T: 020 8874 1482 E: info@beatrixpotter.wandsworth.sch.uk beatrixpotterschool.com

T: 020 7622 1619 E: office@chesterton.wandsworth.sch.uk chesterton.wandsworth.sch.uk

Head: Mr Steph Neale Pupils: 339 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Head: Mr M Siswick Pupils: 394 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Leavers’ destinations: Burntwood, Ernest Bevin, St Cecilia’s and Emanuel

Leavers’ destinations: Harris Academy, Wallington Grammar

6 Belleville Primary School Rated outstanding by Ofsted

10 Christchurch C of E Primary School V

Belleville Road, SW11 6PR

Rated good by Ofsted

T: 020 7228 6727 E: enquiries@bellevilleschool.org belleville-school.org.uk

Batten Street, SW11 2TH

Head: Mr J Grove Pupils: 766 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Bolingbroke Academy, Graveney, Burntwood, Ashcroft Technology College

T: 020 7228 2812 E: info@christchurch.wandsworth.sch.uk christchurchbattersea.co.uk Head: Mrs C Morris Pupils: 179 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: St Cecilia’s, St John Bosco, Harris Academy Battersea, Ashcroft Technology College, Burntwood

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13 Falconbrook Primary School

17 Furzedown Primary School

Mission is to make every child feel valued and to experience the thrill of learning

Rated good by Ofsted Wye Street, Battersea SW11 2LX T: 020 7228 7706 E: admin@falconbrook.wandsworth.sch.uk falconbrook.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs S Smith Pupils: 269 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

14 Fircroft Primary School

Beclands Road, Tooting SW17 9TJ T: 020 8672 3480 E: admin@furzedown.wandsworth.sch.uk webfronter.com/wandsworth/ Furzedownprimary Head: Mrs M Kitchlew-Wilson Pupils: 410 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Rated good by Ofsted Fircroft Road, Tooting SW17 7PP

18 Gatton Primary School

T: 020 8672 6258 E: sbm@fircroft.wandsworth.sch.uk fircroftprimaryschool.sch.uk

First Muslim voluntary-aided primary school in UK to be rated outstanding by Ofsted 10 Gatton Road, Wandsworth SW17 0EU

Cunliffe Street, Streatham SW16 6DS

Head: Mrs A Wilson Pupils: 415 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

T: 020 8769 6486 E: info@eardley.wandsworth.sch.uk eardley.wandsworth.sch.uk

Leavers’ destinations: Burntwood, Graveney, Chestnut Grove, Dunraven, Ernest Bevin and various Harris Academies

King’s College

11 Eardley School

Rated good by Ofsted

Head: Mr A Marks Pupils: 450 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

15 Floreat Wandsworth

V F

T: 020 8682 5570 E: info@gatton.wandsworth.sch.uk gatton.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs Rifat Batool Pupils: 420 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care, plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Al-Risalah secondary school, Burntwood, Ernest Bevin

Opened September 2015 305 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield SW18 4EQ

19 Granard Primary School

Leavers’ destinations: Chestnut Grove, Southfields Academy, Graveney, Dunraven, Ernest Bevin

T: 020 8353 4195 E: info@floreat.org.uk floreat.org.uk/wandsworth

Rated good by Ofsted

12 Earlsfield Primary School

Head: Mr M Custance Pupils: 420 ultimately Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Rated good by Ofsted Tranmere Road, Earlsfield SW18 3QQ T: 020 8946 5452 E: admin@earlsfield.wandsworth.sch.uk earlsfield.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mr S Trow Pupils: 440 Ages: Nursery to 11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Burntwood, Ashcroft Technology Academy,Southfields Academy, Ark Putney Academy, Graveney and also various independent schools

16 Franciscan Primary School

Cortis Road, Putney SW15 6XA T: 020 8788 3606 E: info@granard.wandsworth.sch.uk granardprimary.co.uk

Rated good by Ofsted 221 Franciscan Road, Tooting SW17 8HQ T: 020 8672 3048 E: admin@franciscan.wandsworth.sch.uk franciscan.ismyschool.net Head: Mrs P Andre-Watson Pupils: 412 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Head: Ms C Grigg Pupils: 351 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Ashcroft Academy, Ark Putney Academy, Richmond Park Academy, Ricards Lodge

20 Griffin Primary

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Condell Road, SW8 4JB T: 020 7622 5087 E: info@griffinprimary.org.uk griffinprimary.org.uk

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25 Honeywell Infant School

Head: Ms G Peyton Pupils: 314 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care plus a range of school clubs

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Honeywell Road, Wandsworth SW11 6EF

Leavers’ destinations: Harris Academy Battersea, Burntwood, Southfields Academy, Platanos College, Ashcroft Academy, Graveney, Chestnut Grove

21 Heathmere Primary School

29 Mosaic Jewish Primary School

Rated good by Ofsted

T: 020 7228 6811 E: office@honeywell.wandsworth.sch.uk honeywellschools.org Head: Mrs J Neal Pupils: 270 Ages: 3-7 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care, plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destination: Honeywell Junior School

Alton Road, Roehampton SW15 4LJ T: 020 8788 9057 E: sbm@heathmere.wandsworth.sch.uk heathmereprimary.org Head: Mrs E Lewis Pupils: 285 Ages: 3-11

26 Honeywell Junior School

Honeywell Road, Wandsworth SW11 6EF T: 020 7223 5185 E: office@honeywell.wandsworth.sch.uk honeywellschools.org

Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

22 High View Primary School

Motto: “Together as one”, providing the best all-round education Plough Terrace, Battersea SW11 2AA T: 020 7228 1710 E: admin@highview.wandsworth.sch.uk highview.wandsworth.sch.uk

Head: Mr D Roberts Pupils: 360 Ages: 7-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care, plus a range of school clubs

27 Hotham Primary School

Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Charlwood Road, Putney SW15 1PN

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Hillbrook Road, Tooting SW17 8SG T: 020 8672 3957 E: admin@hillbrook.wandsworth.sch.uk hillbrookschool.org.uk Head: Mrs L Lamb Pupils: 414 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care at nearby venue, plus a range of school clubs

24 Holy Ghost Catholic Primary School V

Judged as outstanding by Ofsted. Moving to new premises, as below 170 Roehampton Lane, Roehampton SW15 4EU T: 020 8944 8731 E: info@mjps.org.uk or admin@mjps.org.uk mjps.org.uk Head: Mrs K Baum Pupils: 22 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: The first batch of year 6 children leave in 2020

30 Oasis Academy Putney Opening September 2016 with 60 reception pupils Putney Common, Lower Richmond Road, SW15

Leavers’ destinations: Dulwich College, Alleyn’s, JAGS, Emanuel and Whitgift

Head: Mr M Roughley (interim) Pupils: 290 Ages: 3-11

23 Hillbrook School

Rated outstanding by Ofsted. Throughschool that encourages children to enjoy learning and to be successful

Develops independence, confidence and celebrates achievements and diversity T: 020 8788 6468 E: info@hotham.wandsworth.sch.uk hothamprimaryschool.org.uk Head: Miss P Young Pupils: 377 * Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Parkgate House School

Leavers’ destinations: Ashcroft Techology Academy, Richmond Park Academy, Ark Putney Academy, St Cecilia’s and Whitgift

31 Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School V

* 30 bi-lingual French/English places and 30 English-only places offered

28 John Burns Primary School

Developing full academic, personal and social potential C

Rated outstanding by Ofsted

Rated “good with outstanding features” by Ofsted

Nightingale Square, Balham SW12 8QJ

Wycliffe Road, Wandsworth SW11 5QR

T: 020 8673 3080 E: olivia@holyghost.wandsworth.sch.uk holyghost.wandsworth.sch.uk

T: 020 7228 3857 E: office@johnburns.wandsworth.sch.uk johnburns.wandsworth.sch.uk

Head: Miss S Lawless Pupils: 206 Ages: 5-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Head: Ms J Davies Pupils: 180 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of a school clubs

1 Clarendon Drive, Putney SW15 1AW T: 020 8788 7957 E: info@ourladyofvictories.wandsworth.sch.uk ourladyofvictories.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Ms D McDonald Pupils: 195 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: London Oratory, Sacred Heart, Cardinal Vaughan, Ursuline High School, Lady Margaret’s, Tiffin

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32 Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC SchooL V

36 Roehampton C of E Primary School V

40 Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Roehampton

Rated outstanding by Ofsted

Rated good by Ofsted

Victoria Drive, Wimbledon SW19 6AD

245 Roehampton Lane, SW15 4AA

Recently commended by Ofsted for “exceptional progress across Key Stage 2”

T: 020 8788 7420 E: info@ourladyqueenofheaven. wandsworth.sch.uk ourladyqueenofheaven.wandsworth.sch.uk

T: 020 8788 8650 E: info@roehampton.wandsworth.sch.uk roehamptonchurchschool.com

Head: Ms A Pitcher Pupils: 212 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care, plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Ursuline High School, Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost, Wimbledon College

33 Penwortham Primary School

Head: Mr R Woodfin Pupils: 200 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Penwortham Road, SW16 6RJ T: 020 8769 3949 E: admin@penwortham.wandsworth.sch.uk penwortham.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mr K Hogston (executive) Pupils: 491 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs C

T: 020 8788 5233 E: info@ronaldross.wandsworth.sch.uk ronaldross.org.uk Head: Mrs D Hart Pupils: 204 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: No pre- & post-school care, but a range of school clubs

Focus on literacy and numeracy Balham High Street, Balham SW17 7BS

Ravenstone Street, Balham SW12 9SS

T: 020 8672 5901 E: info@rutherfordhouseschool.co.uk rutherfordhouseschool.co.uk

Head: Joe Croft Pupils: 394 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Chestnut Grove, Graveney, Burntwood, Ricards Lodge plus private schools such as Streatham & Clapham High, Whitgift

35 Riversdale Primary School

Rated good with outstanding behaviour by Ofsted 302a Merton Road, Southfields SW18 5JP

T: 020 8876 7074 E: info@sacredheart-roe.wandsworth.sch.uk sacredheart-roe.wandsworth.sch.uk

Leavers’ destinations: St John Bosco College, Richmond Park Academy, Wimbledon College, Ashcroft Technology Academy, St Cecilia’s, Ursuline High School, Holy Cross School, Gumley House RC Convent School, Christ’s C of E School Richmond

Castlecombe Drive, SW19 6RW

Rated good by Ofsted T: 020 8673 0594 E: info@ravenstone.wandsworth.sch.uk ravenstoneschool.co.uk

Commended by Ofsted for “very effective help with learning in Early Years Foundation Stage”

38 Rutherford House School 34 Ravenstone Primary School

Roehampton Lane, Roehampton SW15 5NX

Head: Mr A Gibbons Pupils: 429 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

37 Ronald Ross Primary School

Rated good by Ofsted

Head: Ms G Thomson Pupils: 180 at present, with full capacity by 2020 Ages: 4-7 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: The first batch of year 6 children will leave in 2019

39 Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Battersea

Giving firmest-possible grounding in the core academic subjects

41 St Anne’s C of E Primary School

Main focus on excellent academic progress and achievement 208 St Ann’s Hill, SW18 2RU T: 020 8874 1863 E: admin@st-annes.wandsworth.sch.uk st-annes-wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs L Steward Pupils: 148 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

42 St Anselm’s Catholic Primary School V Teaching and learning firmly centred on Christian values within a culture of love and respect for others 19 Tooting Bec Road, Tooting SW17 8BS T: 020 8672 9227 E: admin@stanselms.wandsworth.sch.uk stanselms.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs C Macauley Pupils: 201 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre-school care only, plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Ursuline High School, Coloma Convent Girls School, London Oratory, Wimbledon College

Este Road, SW11 2TD

T: 020 8874 6904 E: info@riversdale.wandsworth.sch.uk riversdaleprimaryschool.co.uk

T: 020 7223 5611 E: admin@sacredheart-battersea. wandsworth.sch.uk sacredheartschoolbattersea.co.uk

43 St Boniface RC Primary School

Head: Amy Roberts Pupils: 257 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Head: Mr J Brading Pupils: 409 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Undine Street, Tooting SW17 8PP

Strong Catholic ethos that values good manners, respect for others and hard work T: 020 8672 5874 E: admin@stboniface.wandsworth.sch.uk stboniface.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs S Kerins

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Pupils: 314 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Post school care plus a range of school clubs

46 St Joseph’s RC Primary School

Leavers’ destinations: Ursuline High School, St Philomena’s High School for Girls, Wimbledon College, Graveney plus a selection of the Sutton grammar schools

T: 020 8874 1888 E: info@stjosephsrc.wandsworth.sch.uk webfronter.com/wandsworth/stjoseph

44 St Faith’s C of E Primary School V Belief in success coming from a safe, nurturing and purposeful learning environment Alma Road, SW18 1AE T: 020 8874 2653 E: admin@stfaiths.wandsworth.sch.uk stfaiths.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mr S Cook Pupils: 205 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

45 St George’s C of E Primary School V Attainments well above national expectations in a calm, learning-focused environment Corunna Road, Battersea SW8 4JS T: 020 7622 1870 E: admin@st-georges.wandsworth.sch.uk www.st-georges.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs J Hilary Pupils: 195 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care, plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: St Cecilia’s, St John Bosco College, Lady Margaret’s C of E Academy

Rated good by Ofsted 90 Oakhill Road, Putney SW15 2QD

Head: Mrs Y Wozniak Pupils: 228 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care only plus a range of school clubs

47 St Mary’s RC Primary School (Battersea) V Rated good by Ofsted Lockington Road, SW8 4BE T: 020 7622 5460 E: admin@st-marys-pri.wandsworth.sch.uk stmarysschoolbattersea.co.uk Head: Mr J Brading (executive) Pupils: 217 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

48 St Mary’s C of E Primary School (Putney) V Belief that all children are capable of achievement within inclusive and nurturing Christian environment Felsham Road, Putney SW15 1BA T: 020 8788 9591 E: admin@st-marys-putney.wandsworth.sch.uk stmarysschoolputney.co.uk Head: Ms C Payne Pupils: 208 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

49 St Michael’s C of E Primary School V Christian values that include humility, endurance, thankfulness, reverence and wisdom Granville Road, Southfields SW18 5SQ T: 020 8874 7786 E: info@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs A M Grant Pupils: 410 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Whitgift School

Leavers’ destinations: Ashcroft Technology College, St Cecilia’s, Lady Margaret’s plus private schools such as Wimbledon High, Whitgift

50 Sellincourt Primary School

Vision is to “Aim high and achieve your full potential” Sellincourt Road, Wandsworth, SW17 9SA T: 020 8672 6796 E: info@sellincourt.wandsworth.sch.uk webfronter.com/wandsworth/sellincourt Head: Miss R Marlin Pupils: 406 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Burntwood, Graveney, Chestnut Grove

51 Shaftesbury Park Primary School C “Local school with global perspective” Ashbury Road, Battersea SW11 5UW T: 020 7228 3652 E: info@shaftesburypark.wandsworth.sch.uk shaftesburypark.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs O Richards Pupils: 225 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: (for English-only stream) Lambeth Academy, Graveney, Southfields Academy, Burntwood, Harris Academy, Chestnut Grove. First batch of year 6 bi-lingual children will leave in 2019 * Number of places split into 30 bi-lingual French/English and 30 English only

52 Sheringdale Primary School

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Standen Road, Southfields SW18 5TR T: 020 8874 7340 E: info@sheringdale.wandsworth.sch.uk sheringdale.org Head: Ms S Jones Pupils: 346 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Ashcroft Technology Academy, St Cecilia’s, Burntwood, Ricards Lodge, Graveney plus a few private schools such as Emanuel and Putney High

53 Smallwood Primary School

Celebrating all achievement, developing confidence, self-belief and sense of worth Smallwood Road, SW17 OTW

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T: 020 8672 6024 E: admin@smallwood.wandsworth.sch.uk smallwood.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mr M Roughley Pupils: 302 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care plus a range of school clubs

54 Southmead Primary School

Rated “making good progress, with children growing in confidence and happiness” by Ofsted

57 Tooting Primary

class via Wandsworth and 14 available via the Lycée

Provides a first-class education for all Franciscan Road, Tooting SW17 8HE

Wix’s Lane, Clapham Common Northside, SW4 0AJ

T: 020 3700 0790 E: admin@tootingprimary.org tootingprimary.org.uk

T: 020 7228 3055 E: admin@wix.wandsworth.sch.uk wix.wandsworth.sch.uk

Head: Mr D Milligan Pupils: 63 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Head: Ms T Kodjovi-Stapp Pupils: 283 * Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

Leavers’ destinations: First batch of year 6 children leave in 2019

Princes Way, Wimbledon SW19 6QT T: 020 8788 8901 E: office@southmead.wandsworth.sch.uk southmeadschool.co.uk Head: Miss A Watts Pupils: 372 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care plus a range of school clubs

55 Swaffield Primary School

Creative and inclusive environment for children to develop both academically and socially St Ann’s Hill, SW18 2SA T: 020 8874 2825 E: swaffield@swaffield.wandsworth.sch.uk swaffield.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mrs C Lilley Pupils: 450 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Ark Putney Academy, Ashcroft Technology Academy, Blenheim High School, Bolingbroke Academy, Burntwood, Chestnut Grove, Ernest Bevin, Fulham Cross Girls School, Harris Academy Battersea, Ricards Lodge, Southfields Academy, St Cecilia’s, Wimbledon College

58 Trinity St Mary’s C of E Primary School V

Works hard to develop children’s self-esteem Danebury Avenue, Roehampton SW15 4PD T: 020 8876 8482 E: admin@thealton.wandsworth.sch.uk thealtonprimaryschool.co.uk Head: Ms R Hudson Pupils: 208 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care and a range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Ark Putney Academy, Ashcroft Academy, Richmond Park Academy

*14 bi-lingual French/English and 30 English-only places

WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Rated good by Ofsted 6 Balham Park Road, Balham SW12 8DR T: 020 8673 4166 E: sao@tsm.wandsworth.sch.uk tsm.wandsworth.sch.uk

62 Al-Risalah Nursery

Head: Ms J Davey Pupils: 198 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care (long waiting list) and a range of school clubs

59 West Hill Primary School

Opened 1993. Part of Al-Risalah Nursery Trust, which includes Gatton Primary, but no automatic admission to this primary school 10a Gatton Road, Tooting SW17 0EE T: 020 8767 0716 E: nursery@alrisalahschool.co.uk alrisalahnursery.co.uk Head: Shazra Abbasi Pupils: 90 Ages: 3-5

Rated good by Ofsted 5 Merton Road, SW18 5ST T: 020 8874 5900 E: info@westhill.wandsworth.sch.uk westhillprimaryschool.org

63 Bertrum House School

Head: Ms J Dobson Pupils: 266 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre-school care plus a range of school clubs

290 Balham High Road, Balham SW17 7AL

60 Westbridge Primary School

Allows children to develop and achieve while feeling cherished and important members of small school community T: 020 8767 4051 E: office@bertrumhouseschool.org.uk bertrumhouseschool.co.uk A

Part of the Chapel St family of schools; encourages children to aim high Bolingbroke Walk, Battersea SW11 3NE

56 The Alton School

T: 020 7228 1293 E: info@westbridgeprimaryschool.com westbridgeprimaryschool.com Head: Mrs D Thompson Pupils: 189 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care plus a range of school clubs

61 Wix Primary School

English and bilingual school which shares its site with Ecole de Wix French primary, an annexe of the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington. 14 places per year group available in each bilingual

Head: Principal: Ms K Pirrie, Head of Early Years: Ms V Mould Pupils: 100+ Ages: 2-7 Clubs: No pre-or post-school care but a range of school clubs Term Fees: Nursery from £1,710 to £1,990; pre-reception from £1,990 to £3,190, reception & pre-prep £4,295 Leavers’ destinations: Local day schools, Dulwich College, Dulwich Prep, Alleyn’s, JAGS, Wimbledon, Streatham & Clapham High School, Hornsby

64 Broomwood Hall School A preparatory and pre-preparatory school. The senior school will take 15 girls from September 2015 with a view to growing to 120 girls, to GCSE level only. Family-centred, strong Christian pastoral

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community with a holistic, nurturing approach to education

Clubs: A range of school clubs

68-74 Nightingale Lane, Balham SW12 8NR

Term fees: Pre-Maternelle, min 3 mornings: £1,975 to full-time at £3,775

T: 020 8682 8810 E: broomwood@northwoodschools.com broomwood.co.uk

Leavers’ destinations: English state and independent schools, Lycée Français, private French school

Head: Principal: Lady K Colquihoun, Headmistress: Ms C Jenkinson Pupils: 680 Ages: Lower 4-8 co-ed, upper 8-13 girls Clubs: Prep every day except Friday until 5/5.15pm. A range of school clubs from year 1 for upper school girls Term fees: Lower £4,730, upper £5,810 Leavers’ destinations: Broomwood Hall boys have priority entry to Northcote Lodge School

65 Dolphin School (Incorporating Noah’s Ark Nursery Schools) Dolphin aims to nurture children’s potential in academic and creative work and sport and develop character according to a Christian understanding 106 Northcote Road, Battersea SW11 6QW T: 020 7924 3472 E: pa@dolphinschool.org.uk dolphinschool.org.uk Head: Mr J Savile, Deputy Heads: Mr J Schmidt and Mrs L Keenan Pupils: 200+ Ages: 3-11 Clubs: No pre- and post-school care but a range of school clubs Term fees: Reception, years 1 and 2 £3,595, years 3, 4, 5 and 6 £3,995 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyns, Emanuel, Fulham Boys, The Hall School, Ibstock Place, JAGS, Putney High, Royal Russell, Dulwich, Lady Margaret’s, Thames Christian College and Streatham & Clapham High Girls School

66 L’Ecole Du Parc A warm and nurturing nursery school with two sections, French and bilingual (English/French), taught by qualified native speakers French: 64 Garfield Road, Battersea SW11 5PN

67 Eveline Day School Swan House 207 Balham High Road, Balham SW17 7BQ T: 020 8673 3188 E: eveline@evelinedayschool.com evelinedayschools.com Head: Ms E Drut Pupils: 120 Ages: 3-11 Term fees: £4,489.68

Head: Co-Heads Ms E Sickling-Bressler and Ms E Toth & Madame Toth Pupils: 100 Ages: 18 months to 5: Pre-maternelle 18 months-3, La Maternelle 3-5 (Petite 3-4, Moyenne 4-5)

Head: Mr T Hobbs Pupils: 250 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: Reception to year 2: £3,744, years 3 to 6: £4,321 Leavers’ destinations: Junior school feeds into the senior school plus Emanuel, Epsom College, Harrow, Hurstpierpoint, King’s College Wimbledon, Sevenoaks and Tiffin

71 Hornsby House School A warm, nurturing and inclusive school but with academic vigour Hearnville Road, Balham SW12 8RS

68 Eveline Nurseries Family-run business open 51 weeks a year from 7.30am to 6.30pm, only closed Christmas week 30 Ritherdon Road, SW17 8QD T: 020 8672 7549 E: info@evelinedaynurseryschools.com evelinedayschools.com Ages: 3 months to 5 years Term fees: Day £71, month £1,386.67

69 Finton House School Aims to maintain an excellent academic standard through well-resourced small classes and a broad, balanced curriculum

T: 020 8673 7573 E: school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk hornsbyhouse.org.uk Head: Mr E Rees Pupils: 400+ Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care, prep club and a range of school clubs until 5.15pm Term fees: Lower school £4,415, upper school £4,745 plus lunch cost of £235 per term Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Dulwich, JAGS, Whitgift, Emanuel, Ewell Castle, Royal Russell, Woldingham, Feltonfleet, Francis Holland, Graveney, Trinity and Wimbledon High

171 Trinity Road, Balham SW17 7HL T: 020 8682 0921 E: info@fintonhouse.org.uk fintonhouse.org.uk Head: Ben Freeman Pupils: 321 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: Lower, reception to year 2: £4,630, year 3-6: £4,850 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Emanuel, Francis Holland, Hall School Wimbledon, JAGS, King’s Wimbledon, More House, Royal Russell, Streatham & Clapham High School, Trinity, Whitgift and Wimbledon High School

Bilingual: 23 Stormont Road, SW11 5EN T: 020 7326 9642 E: admissions@ecoleduparc.co.uk ecoleduparc.co.uk

or enquiries@hsw.co.uk hsw.co.uk

70 Hall School Wimbledon Early Years education emphasises multi-sensory learning and first-hand experience, nurturing individual strengths and encouragement to reach full potential Beavers Holt, Putney Vale, SW15 3EQ T: 020 8788 2370 E: admissions@hsw.co.uk

72 Hurlingham School Experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic staff provide opportunities which strongly promote creativity and independence of thought, essential attributes for the 21st century 122 Putney Bridge Road, Putney SW15 2NQ T: 020 8874 7186 E: office@hurlinghamschool.co.uk hurlinghamschool.co.uk Head: Mr J Brough Pupils: 326 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Post-school care and a range of schoool clubs Term fees: Reception, years 1 and 2: £4,985, years 3 to 6: £5,195 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Epsom College, Godolphin and Latymer, Ibstock Place, Kingston Grammar, King’s Wimbledon, Lady Eleanor Holles, Latymer Upper, Putney High, Queen’s Gate, St Paul’s Girls’, Surbiton High, Whitgift and Wimbledon High

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73 Ibstock Place School Lots of extracurricular activities aim to produce happy, well-rounded, socially responsible, honest, resilient young people with determination, ambition and self-confidence Clarence Lane, Roehampton SW15 5PY T: 020 8876 9991 E: registrar@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Head: Ms A Sylvester-Johnson Pupils: 960 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: Prep till 5pm plus a range of school clubs Term fees: pre-prep £4,995, prep (years 2-6) £5,180 Leavers’ destinations: Ibstock Place secondary school. A few leave at 11+ and 13+ but the vast majority stay; however, no automatic entry

74 L’Ecole de Battersea English-French preparatory school, opened in 2005. A strong emphasis on its French/ English bilingual context, aiming for all pupils to be immersed in both cultures and becoming fluent in both tongues Trott Street, Battersea SW11 3DS T: 020 7924 3186 E: battersea@lecoledespetits.co.uk lecoledespetits.co.uk/lecol--battersea/ Head: Mme Frederique Brisset Pupils: 255 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: Pre- & post-school care Term fees: £3,665 Leavers’ destinations: Automatic right of entry to the AEFE French schools network. Some pupils go onto English schools and are tutored in CM2 to achieve the required standard

75 Lion House School Encourages individuality and creativity and fosters self-esteem in a harmonious and happy learning environment Old Methodist Hall, Putney SW15 6EH T: 020 8780 9446 E: office@lionhouseschool.co.uk lionhouseschool.co.uk Head: Ms J Luard

Pupils: 100+ Ages: 2-8 Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: £1,035-£4,525 Leavers’ destinations: KCS, Latymer Junior, Putney High, Wimbledon High, Fulham Prep, Tower House School, Shrewsbury House School, Ibstock Place, The Hall School and Prospect House

76 Merlin School Aims to encourage a sense of excitement about learning that nurtures children and ensures individual attention in order to reach full potential 4 Carlton Drive, Putney SW15 2BZ T: 020 8788 2769 E: secretary@merlinschool.net merlinschool.net Head: Ms K Prest Pupils: 200+ Ages: 5-8 Clubs: A variety on a Monday only.

Finton House School

78 Northcote Lodge School First-class education within a disciplined, controlled and happy environment that stretches rather than pushes

Term fees: £3,988

26 Bolingbroke Grove, Battersea SW11 6EL

77 Newton Preparatory School

T: 020 8682 8888 E: admissions@northwoodschools.com northcotelodge.co.uk

Offers a vibrant, challenging education for inquisitive children. Aims to inspire adventurousness and commitment to learning, providing balance and breadth in intellectual, aesthetic, physical, moral and spiritual education 149 Battersea Park Road, Battersea SW8 4BX T: 020 7720 4091 E: hmpa@newtonprep.co.uk or registrar@newtonprep.co.uk newtonprepschool.co.uk Head: Ms A Fleming; Dep Head Lower School: Victoria Goodson Pupils: 600+ Ages: 3-13 Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: Nursery, mornings only: £2,690, lower School reception to year 2: £4,975, upper school year 3-8: £5,700 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Emanuel, JAGs, King’s College Wimbledon, St Pauls, Westminster, Eton, Harrow, Tonbridge, Winchester, Benenden, Wycombe Abbey, Wellington, Rugby, Kings College Canterbury & Marlborough

Head: Mark Smith Pupils: 240 Ages: 8-13 Gender: Boys Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: £5,810 (increase not known at time of going to press) Leavers’ destinations: Wellington, St Edwards Oxford, Sherborne, Tonbridge, Bradfield, Charterhouse, Bryanston, Marlborough, Radley, Harrow, King’s Canterbury and Eton; also Dulwich schools

79 Oliver House Preparatory School A character-based approach aims to foster respect, sound judgment, resilience and making wise choices based on personal values 7 Nightingale Lane, SW4 9AH T: 020 8772 1911 E: enquiries@oliverhouse.ore.uk oliverhouse.org.uk Head: Mr C Candia Pupils: 170 Ages: 3-11

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Clubs: Pre- & post school care plus a range of school clubs

E: info@the dominie.co.uk thedominie.co.uk

Term fees: Nursery full time: £3,995, 5 mornings: £2,340, pre-prep reception to year 1: £4,385, year 2: £4,445, years 3-6: £4,600

Head: Ms A O’Doherty Pupils: 31 registered Ages: 6-12 Clubs: A range of school clubs

Leavers’ destinations: The Cedars, The Laurels, Emanuel, Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Francis Holland, JAGS, Streatham & Clapham Girls, The Hall, Trinity, Whitgift, Wimbledon High, Woldingham and Royal Russell

80 Prospect House School Aims to create an atmosphere where children feel valued and secure in an educational experience that is both challenging and fun 75 Putney Hill, Putney SW15 3NT T: 020 8780 0456 E: info@prospecths.org.uk or registrar@prospecths.org.uk prospecths.org.uk Head: Ms D Barratt Pupils: 295 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: Nursery: £2,685-£5,370, occasional afternoon cost £58 per session, reception year 1-2: £5,370, years 3-6: £5,595

Term fees: £8,550 Leavers’ destinations: mainstream schools

83 The Falcons School for Girls A non–selective school for girls with a reputation for academic excellence, creativity and lifelong learning 11 Woodborough Road, Putney SW15 6PY T: 020 8992 5189 E: admin@falconsgirls.co.uk falconsgirls.co.uk Head: Miss J. McGillewie Pupils: 105 at present, will rise to 350 in new premises Ages: 3-11 Gender: Girls Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: £4,725, pre-reception: £2,625 Leavers’ destinations: Notting Hill & Ealing, St James’, Latymer Upper, Godolphin & Latymer, St Paul’s, Lady Eleanor Holles, Kew House, Francis Holland

84 The Roche School

81 Putney High School

11 Frogmore, Wandsworth SW18 1HW

Academically selective with an ethos of excellence, outstanding opportunity and care. “Teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage is excellent. It is lively, imaginative and fun,” concluded ISI

T: 020 8877 0823 E: office@therocheschool.co.uk, admissions@therocheschool.co.uk therocheschool.co.uk

T: 020 8788 4886 E: putneyhigh@put.gdst.net putneyhigh.gdst.net Head: Mrs J Wallace Pupils: 320 for junior schools Ages: 4-11 Gender: Girls Clubs: A range of school clubs across art, design, drama, music and sport Term fees: Junior: £4,801

Opened in 1983, the school aims to give a sound and wide-ranging education in a pleasant, lively and homely atmosphere

Head: Ms V Adams, Nursery head: Ms G Emery Pupils: 300 Ages: 2.5-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

86 Thomas’s Battersea Opened in 1977, it aims to embed kindness and understanding in which pupils’ strengths are identified and supported 28-40 Battersea High Street, Battersea SW11 3JB T: 020 7978 0900 E: Battersea@thomas-s.co.uk thomas-s.co.uk Head: Mr B Thomas Pupils: 532 Ages: 4-13 Clubs: No pre/post school care but a range of after school clubs Term fees: Reception-year 2: £5,410, years 3-8: £6,110 Leavers’ destinations: Bradfield, Bryanston, Harrodian, Marlborough, Wellington, Downe House, Francis Holland, Dulwich College, Eton, Harrow, St Pauls, Radley, Alleyn’s, Latymer Upper, JAGS

87 Thomas’s Clapham Ethos of kindness and understanding in which pupils’ strengths are supported T: 020 7326 9300 E: clapham@thomas-s.co.uk thomas-s.co.uk Head: Mr P Ward Pupils: 600 Ages: 4-13 Clubs: No pre/post school care but a range of after school clubs Term fees: Reception – year 2: £5,055, years 3-8: £5,715 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Brighton College, Emanuel, Marlborough,

Term fees: Nursery £1,664 4 mornings£3,530 5 morning and 4 afternoons, 4-6 years £4,030, 7-11 years £4,350 Leavers’ destinations: Latymer Upper, KCS, Dulwich College, St Catherine’s Twickenham, Ibstock Place, Wimbledon High, Emanuel

Leavers’ destinations: Junior to senior school entry not automatic, but don’t have to compete with external candidates, just qualify

85 The St Michael Steiner School Parent & Child Group

82 The Dominie

Merton Road, Wandsworth SW18 5ST

Education for dyslexic and dyspraxic children. Recently rated ‘oustanding’ by Ofsted

Term fees: £4,375-£5,800 pa

Broomwood Road, SW11 6JZ

Leavers’ destinations: Benenden, Colet Court, Emanuel, Harrodian, King’s College Canterbury, Putney High, St Pauls Girls, Tiffin, Westminster Under, Wimbledon High

35 Putney Hill, Putney SW15 6BH

Ages: 3-14

Ofsted judged it as providing a good quality of education

55 Warriner Gardens, Battersea SW11 4DX

T: 020 8870 0500 E: info@stmichaelsteinerschool.co.uk stmichaelsteiner.wandsworth.sch.uk

T: 020 7720 8783

Pupils: 62 full-time, +11 part-time

Emanuel

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Wellington, Benenden, St Mary’s Ascot, Woldingham, Dulwich College, King’s College Wimbledon, Eton, Radley, St Pauls, Tonbridge, Whitgift, Westminster, JAGS, Wimbledon High

88 Wandsworth Preparatory School Believes that education should not simply be about exam results, reading, writing or arithmetic but also spark learning by developing the courage to take risks, the confidence to ask questions and the desire to know not just ‘what’ but ‘how’ and ‘why’ The Old Library, Allfarthing Lane, SW18 2PQ T: 020 8870 4133 E: office@wandsworthprep.com wandsworthprep.com Head: Miss B Saul Pupils: 70 Ages: 4-11 Term fees: £4,328 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, City of London Boys and Girls, St Pauls Boys and Girls, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Ibstock Place, JAGS

89 Wimbledon High School A beacon school of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Keen to provoke intellectual curiosity and help students equip themselves for the challenges of 21stcentury life

Ages: 4-13 Pupils: 1,000 Term fees: From £3,550 for Small School up to £4,850 for sixth form Leavers’ destinations: Girls to More House School, Putney High School, Queen’s Gate School, Latymer Upper School, JAGS, Francis Holland, Alleyn’s School and Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Boys to Dulwich College, Wetherby Senior School, Westminster School, St Paul’s, Emanuel, The London Oratory, Eton, Stowe, Harrow and Bradfield College

Harrodian School Harrodian is a friendly educational community which encourages pupils’ individuality and excellent academic results Lonsdale Road, Barnes SW13 9QN T: 020 8748 6117 E: admin@harrodian.com harrodian.com Head: James Hooke Ages: 4-18 Pupils: 282 Term fees: Pre-prep £4,431, prep £5,076, senior £5,867, sixth form £6,766 Leavers’ destinations: Bournemouth, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Kings College London, Loughborough, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, St Andrews, UCL

Mansel Road, SW19 4AB T: 020 8971 0902 E: info@wim.gdst.net Head: Mrs Jane Lunnon Pupils: 320 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: A range, plus Apple Pips afterschool care Mon-Thurs til 5.30pm Term Fees: £4,490 Leavers’ destinations: 90% to Wimbledon High Senior School; others to St Paul’s Girls, Tiffin, Lady Eleanor Holles

OTHER SCHOOLS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN NAPPY VALLEY Hill House International Junior School The guiding vision is that the modern child must be educated for a world community Hans Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X OEP T: 020 7584 1331 E: info@hillhouseschool.co.uk hillhouseschool.co.uk Head: Richard Townend

Parsons Green Prep School Opened 2001 with aim of developing a positive, meaningful school community that empowers children to reach their educational and personal potential 1 Fulham Park Road, Fulham SW6 4LJ T: 0207 371 9009 E: admissions@eridgehouse.co.uk parsonsgreenprep.co.uk Head: Ms P Hogg-Andrews Pupils: 174 Ages: 4-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: £4,850-£5,240 Leavers’ destinations: Brighton College, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Harrodian, JAGS, St Pauls, City of London Boys

Tower House School Founded in 1932, this is “A traditional boys’ prep school but with a modern twist,” says The Good Schools Guide 188 Sheen Lane, East Sheen, SW14 8LF T: 020 8876 3323 E: secretary@thsboys.org.uk thsboys.org.uk

Head: Gregory Evans Pupils: 180 Ages: 4-13 Gender: boys Term fees: Reception & year 1 £3,765, year 2 & 3 £4,158, senior school £4,270 Leavers’ destinations: St Paul’s, King’s College School, Hampton, Reed’s School, The Harrodian Senior School, Radnor House, Emanuel, Kingston Grammar, Dulwich College plus boarding schools

WANDSWORTH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 90 Ark Putney Academy

Ensures outstanding progress through a well-designed curriculum, a broad range of enrichment and extension programmes and excellent pastoral care Pullman Gardens, Putney SW15 3DG T: 020 8788 3421 E: receptionist@arkputneyacademy.org arkputney.org Head: Ms A Downey Pupils: 449 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs

91 Ashcroft Technology Academy

Offers excellent opportunities to achieve the highest possible standards of learning in a technology-rich environment, including the IB Diploma 100 West Hill, Putney SW15 2UT T: 020 8877 0357 E: info@ashcroftacademy.org.uk atacademy.org.uk Head: Mr M C J Barker Pupils: 1,000 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: Wide range of school clubs

92 Bolingbroke Academy

Prepares all pupils for university courses or a career of their choice. Specialisms are maths and music Wakehurst Road, SW11 6BF T: 020 7924 8200 E: info@arkbolingbrokeacademy.org arkbolingbrokeacademy.org Head: Ms C Edis Pupils: 243 currently, 600 by 2018 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: Wide range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: First batch of year 13 children leave in 2019

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93 Burntwood School

From autumn 2015/16:

Encourages students to be independent, articulate young women who take power and control over their lives in an informed and intelligent way

Parkham Street, Battersea SW11

Burntwood Lane, SW17 0AQ

Head: Mr S Uttley Pupils: 446 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs

T: 020 8246 6000 E: info@sjbc.wandsworth.sch.uk stjohnboscobattersea.org

T: 020 8946 6201 E: info@burntwood.wandsworth.sch.uk burntwoodschool.com Head: Mrs H Dorfman Pupils: 1,779 Ages: 11-18 Gender: Girls Clubs: A range of school clubs

100 Southfields Academy

Leavers’ destinations: 70% go on to university, of which 35% go to Oxbridge & Russell Group universities

94 Chestnut Grove Academy

A culture of high aspiration for all is central to the school’s vision and ethos

Rated good by Ofsted. Excellent A Level results. Achievement-focused in all areas of its broad curriculum, allowing students to achieve their potential in academic subjects and applied-learning disciplines

Streatham & Clapham Prep School

333 Merton Road, SW18 5JU Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: Oxford, Cambridge & Russell Group universities

Chestnut Grove, Balham SW12 8JZ T: 020 8673 8737 E: info@chestnutgrove.wandsworth.sch.uk chestnutgrove.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Mr C Kingsley Pupils: 958 Ages: 11-19 Clubs: A range of school clubs

95 Ernest Bevin College & Sixth Form Centre C Students are encouraged to fulfil their potential both academically and in sport, performing arts and vocational careers. Sciences and maths are a specialism Beechcroft Road, Tooting SW17 7DF T: 020 8672 8582 E: mail@ernestbevin.wandsworth.sch.uk ernestbevin.org.uk Head: Ms R Sheikh Pupils: 1,272 including 375 in Sixth Form Ages: 11-18 Gender: Boys Clubs: A range of school clubs Leavers’ destinations: 134 out of 148 pupils last year went on to university, mostly to Russell Group universities

96 Graveney School

97 Harris Academy Battersea

Part of the Harris Federation, the motto is “head, heart and heroism” in order to promote curiosity, endeavour, skills and knowledge ready for an ever-changing world 401 Battersea Park Road, SW11 5AP T: 020 7622 0026 E: info@harrisbattersea.org.uk harrisbattersea.org.uk Head: Dr D Moody Pupils: 1,150 including 250 in sixth form Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs

98 Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School V Embraces the highest possible academic aspirations and accepts individual differences in ability, aptitude and level of skills Sutherland Grove, SW18 5JR

T: 020 8875 2600 E: info@southfields.wandsworth.sch.uk southfields.wandsworth.sch.uk Head: Ms W Golinska Pupils: 1,741 including 391 in sixth form Ages: 1-19 Clubs: A range of clubs, societies and after-school booster sessions Leavers’ destinations: Oxbridge, top universities including many Russell Group, apprenticeships in banking, IT and telecommunications, workrelated training, further education and employment

101 South Thames College Offers a wide range of courses, including BTECS, HNDs, apprenticeships and leisure courses Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PP T: 020 8918 7777 E: info@south-thames.ac.uk south-thames.ac.uk Head: Ms S Rimmer Pupils: 20,000+ Ages: 16+

T: 020 8780 1244 E: info@saintcecilias.wandsworth.sch.uk saintcecilias.wandsworth.sch.uk

Leavers’ destinations: Russell Group universities & London-based universities

Head: Mr N Gallagher Pupils: 950 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs

102 St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College Offers 50 courses; one out of three students achieved grades A* – B in 2014

Ofsted remarked in March 2015 on the pupils’ “positive attitude to learning”, their outstanding results and how the school develops the whole person

Leavers’ destinations: Oxbridge, Durham, Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Royal Academy of Music, LSE and universities abroad

Welham Road, Tooting SW17 9BU T: 020 8682 7000 E: info@graveney.wandsworth.sch.uk graveney.org

99 St John Bosco Catholic School & College V

Head: Mrs S Flannery Pupils: 1,400 Ages: 16+

Head: Mr G Stapleton Pupils: 1,949

Rated good with outstanding leadership by Ofsted

Leavers’ destinations: Around 15% go to Russell Group universities

Malwood Road, Balham SW12 8EN T: 020 8772 6000 E: enquiries@sfx.ac.uk sfx.ac.uk

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WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 103 Al-Risalah A faith school that aims to equip students with life skills in order to be role-model citizens and ambassadors for Islam as well as good Muslims 145 Upper Tooting Road SW17 7TJ T: 020 8767 6057 E: admin@alrisalahschool.co.uk alrisalahschool.co.uk Head: Mr S Lee Pupils: 210 Ages: 11-16 Clubs: No pre- or post-school care but a range of school clubs Term fees: £3,300 per year Leavers’ destinations: Burntwood, Graveney, Virgo, Ashcroft

104 Emanuel School The school pursues academic excellence, respect and tolerance and caring for the environment. The Good Schools Guide says it is “happy, friendly and welcoming” Battersea Rise, Battersea SW11 1HS T: 020 8870 4171 E: enquiries@emanuel.org.uk emanuel.org.uk Head: Mr M Hanley-Browne Pupils: 895 Ages: 10-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs plus the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme Term fees: £5,858 Leavers’ destinations: Oxbridge and Russell Group universities

Term fees: £5,513

109 Thames Christian College

Leavers’ destinations: Graveney, Westminster, Kings College, St Cecilia’s, Esher College, Richmond College, Epsom College, Royal Russell, Whitgift

A mixed-ability school in a smaller environment with strong values in which each young person can flourish

106 Ibstock Place School

T: 020 7228 3933 E: info@thameschristiancollege.org.uk thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Aims to produce happy well-rounded children with lots of extracurricular activities to become socially responsible, honest and resilient with determination, ambition and self-confidence Clarence Lane, Roehampton SW15 5PY T: 020 8876 9991 E: registrar@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Head: Ms A Sylvester-Johnson Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs plus the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme

Aims to provide an all-round education through a balanced curriculum, in which art, music, sport and drama play a valuable role alongside core academic subjects. Believes that learning should be a pleasure. Pupils also benefit from highquality pastoral care 17 The Downs, Wimbledon SW20 8HF T: 020 8879 9200 E: admissions@hsw.co.uk or enquiries@hsw.co.uk hsw.co.uk Head: Mr T Hobbs Pupils: 270 Ages: 11-16 Clubs: A range of school clubs plus the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme

Wye Street, Clapham Junction SW11 2HB

Head: Mr S Holsgrove Pupils: 125 Ages: 11-16 (adding sixth form in 2019) Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: £4,520 Leavers’ destinations: Highgate School, Alleyn’s School, Dulwich College, St Paul’s Boys’ School, City of London School, Emanuel, Ibstock Place, Haberdasher’s Aske’s, Albemarle College, Trinity School, Chelsea Academy, St Cecilia’s, Ashcroft Technology Academy, Graveney School, Esher College, Richmond College

Term fees: £6,400 Leavers’ destinations: Oxbridge, Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Nottingham, Imperial College, KIng’s College, LSE, St Andrew’s

107 Putney High School Intellectual agility, pupil wellbeing and outstanding opportunity are at the heart of the school’s ethos. “A spirit of innovation, openness and creativity pervade the school,” said ISI report 35 Putney Hill, SW15 6BH T: 020 8788 4886 E: putneyhigh@put.gdst.net putneyhigh.gdst.net Head: Senior school: Mrs S Lonfgstaff, Director of sixth form: Mr P Dwyer Pupils: 976 (including junior school) Ages: 11-18 Gender: Girls Term fees: Senior £5,803, sixth form £5,803

105 Hall School Wimbledon

Leavers’ destinations: Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial, Stanford USA, Russell Group, music conservatoires, art colleges

110 Wimbledon High School A beacon school of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Keen to provoke intellectual curiosity and help students equip themselves for the challenges of 21st-century life Mansel Road, SW19 4AB T: 020 8971 0902 E: info@wim.gdst.net Head: Mrs Jane Lunnon Pupils: 600 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: Over 100 clubs a week Term Fees: £5,776 Leavers’ destinations: Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Imperial, KCL, Leeds, Manchester, Middlesex, Oxford, Warwick, York

LAMBETH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 111 Bonneville Primary School

Rated good by Ofsted

108 Thomas’s Clapham Broomwood Road, SW11 6JZ T: 020 7326 9300 E: clapham@thomas-s.co.uk thomas-s.co.uk Head: Mr P Ward Pupils: 600 Ages: 11-13 Term fees: £5,715 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Emanuel, King’s College School, Wellington College and Marlborough College

Bonneville Gardens, SW4 9LB T: 020 8673 1183 E: admin@bonneville-primary.lambeth.sch.uk bonneville-primary.lambeth.sch.uk Head: Andrea Parker Pupils 397 Ages: 3-11

112 Clapham Manor Primary School and Children’s Centre Outstanding by Ofsted Belmont Road, SW4 OBZ

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T: 020 7622 0043 E: admin@claphammanor.lambeth.sch.uk claphammanor.lambeth.sch.uk Head: Mr B Hazell Pupils: 453 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

T: 020 8675 7856 E: office@henrycavendish.co.uk henrycavendish.co.uk Head: Mrs Alexandra Hardy Pupils: 761 Ages: 3-11

New Park Road, SW2 4JP T: 020 8674 0156 E: admin@richardatkins.lambeth.sch.uk richardatkins.lambeth.sch.uk Head: Nadia Macintosh Pupils: 434 Ages: 3-11 Clubs: A range of clubs

Rated outstanding by Ofsted

Rated outstanding by Ofsted. Usually oversubscribed

Dingley Lane, SW16 IAU

Trent Road, SW2 5BL T: 020 7737 2796 E: office@corpuschristi.lambeth.sch.uk corpuschristischool.co.uk Head: Mr Robert Coyle Pupils: 413 Ages: 3-11

T: 020 8673 3376 E: office@henrycavendish.co.uk henrycavendish.co.uk

124 St Bede’s Catholic Infants School V A Rated good for overall effectiveness by Ofsted

Details as above

119 Iqra Primary School

Thornton Road, SW12 OLF

V A

T: 020 8674 7292 E: office@st-bedes.lambeth.sch.uk st-bedes.lambeth.sch.uk

Rated good for overall effectiveness by Ofsted

114 Glenbrook Primary School

127 Park Hill, SW4 9PA

Part of Gipsy Hill Federation. Ofsted rated it good in terms of overall effectiveness

T: 020 7622 3630 iqra.lambeth.sch.uk

Clarence Avenue, SW4 8LD

Head: Mrs H Saleem Pupils: 211 Ages: 4-11

T: 020 8674 2387 E: Glenbrook@ghf.london gipsyhillfederartion.org.uk Head: Ms Carmel Longley Pupils: 315 Ages: 3-11

120 Kings Avenue Primary School

Ofsted rated the school good Granton Road, SW16 5AN T: 020 8764 6414 E: admin@granton-primary.lambeth.sch.uk grantonprimary.org.uk Head: Mr Andrew Terrey Pupils: 492 Ages: 3-11

Heads: Ewa Ostrynska and Laura Lowney Pupils: 226 Ages: 3-7

125 St Bernadette’s Catholic Junior School V A C

116 Heathbrook Primary School and Children’s Centre C

Rated good by Ofsted

Requires improvement according to Ofsted

Atkins Road, SW12 OAB

Kings Avenue, SW4 8BQ

T: 020 8675 7146 E: office@st-bernadette-rc.lambeth.sch.uk stbernadette.co.uk

T: 020 7622 1208 E: office@kingsavenue.lambeth.sch.uk kingsavenueschool.co.uk

Head: Mrs Deborah Hogan Pupils: 241 Ages: 7-11

Head: Elizabeth Maxted Pupils: 452 Ages: 3-11

121 Lark Hall Primary School and Children’s Centre C Rated good by Ofsted

126 St Leonard’s CE Primary School V A Rated good at last Ofsted inspection 42 Mitcham Lane, SW16 6NP

Smedley Street, SW4 6PH T: 020 7622 3820 larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

T: 020 8664 6025 E: st-leonard@rmplc.co.uk st-leonards.lambeth.sch.uk

St Rule Street, SW8 3EH

Head: Mr Gary Nichol Pupils: 450 Ages: 3-11

T: 020 7622 4101 E: admin@heathbrook.lambeth.sch.uk heathbrook.org

Head: Mr Simon Jackson Pupils: 207 Ages: 4-11

122 Macaulay CE Primary School V

Rated good for overall effectiveness by Ofsted

Head: Mr Ben Roberts Pupils: 409 Ages: 3-11

117 Henry Cavendish Primary School Balham site C Rated outstanding by Ofsted Hydethorpe Road, SW121 OJA

Rated good by Ofsted

118 Henry Cavendish Primary School Streatham site C

113 Corpus Christi Academy Catholic Primary School A

115 Granton Primary School

123 Richard Atkins Primary School

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Victoria Rise, SW4 ONU T: 020 7720 9378 E: admin@macaulay.lambeth.sch.uk macaulaycofeschool.co.uk macaulay.lambeth.sch.uk Heads: Cewlyn Davies and Jo Samways Pupils: 222 Ages: 3-11

127 St Mary’s RC Primary School Rated outstanding by Ofsted Crescent Lane, SW4 9QJ T: 020 7622 5479 E: office@st-marys.lambeth.sch.uk st-marys.lambeth.sch.uk Head: Miss Karen Pluckrose Pupils: 348 Ages: 3-11

V A

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128 Sudbourne Primary School

Opened 1987 to provide a warm, welcoming and nurturing atmosphere with strong educational ethos

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Hayter Road, SW2 5AP T: 020 7274 7631 E: shardy@sudbourne.lambeth.sch.uk sudbourne.com

E: office@parkgate-school.co.uk parkgate-school.co.uk Head: Principal: Ms Catherine Shanley, Head: Mr Malcolm McKinley Pupils: 230 Ages: 2.5-11 Clubs: A range of school clubs

Leavers’ destinations: State and independent secondary schools, the Brit School, or Steiner education in St Michaels in Hounslow or Michael Hall in Forest Row Sussex and Kings Langley

T: 020 7350 2452

Rated outstanding by Ofsted Telferscot Road, SW12 OHW T: 020 8673 7362 E: admin@telferscot.lambeth.sch.uk telferscot.lambeth.sch.uk Head: Ms Jennifer Martin Pupils: 430 including nursery Ages: 3-11

LAMBETH PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS 130 Eaton House The Manor School Family-owned and run Christian nondenominational school whose aim is to provide a caring and secure environment that treats each child as an individual so they can blossom academically, socially and behaviourally The Manor, 58 Clapham Common, SW4 9RU T: 020 7924 6000 E: admin@eatonhouseschools.com eatonhouseschools.com Head: Pre-prep: Mr H May, prep: Mr J Edwards, girls: Ms S Segrave, nursery: Ms R Sue Pupils: Boys pre-prep 210, boys prep 190, girls 180, co-ed nursery 40. Ages: Boys pre-prep 4-8, boys prep 8-13, girls 4-11, nursery 3-4 Term fees: Co-ed nursery £2,135 up to £3,540, boys pre-prep £4,748, boys prep £5,808, girls £4,748 Leavers’ destinations: Boys go to top boarding schools, as well as day schools such as Dulwich, Alleyn’s, Emanuel, Kings College Wimbledon, St Pauls, Westminster and City of London Boys Girls go to top boarding schools as well as day schools such as Alleyn’s, Francis Holland, Godolphin & Latymer, Ibstock Place, JAGS, Putney High, Wimbledon High, Streatham & Clapham High Girls School, Emanuel, Queens College, More House and City of London Girls

T: 020 8772 3504 E: info@waldorflondon.co.uk waldorflondon.co.uk Head: College of teachers (no head) Pupils: 80 Ages: 3-14 Term fees: £3,897-£6,495 pa for kindergarten, £6,890-£8,263 pa for classes 1-8

80 Clapham Common, SW4 9SD

Head: Mr Milan Stevanovic Pupils: 350 Ages: 3-11

129 Telferscot Primary School

131 Parkgate House School

Term fees: Nursery: £1,785-£3,930, reception/pre-prep: £4,510, prep: £4,670 Leavers’ destinations: Alleyn’s, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Hall School, Ibstock Place, Putney High, Wimbledon High, Whitgift

135 The White House

132 Rann Horizon School

With a strong family ethos, the school allows children to fulfil their potential through a vibrant and broad curriculum that stimulates, challenges and excites. Excellent pastoral support

Rated good by Ofsted

24 Thornton Avenue, SW12 OLF

121 Nelsons Row, SW4 7JR

T: 020 8674 9514 E: office@whitehouseschool.com whitehouseschool.com

T: 020 7720 1591 E: rannhorizonschool@gmail.com rannhorizonschool.com Heads: Robert Timmerman and Lorraine Timmerman Ages: 5-11 Term Fees: 5-7 £1,596; 7-11 £2,196

Head: Mr D Cummings Pupils: 130 Ages: 2.5 - 11 Clubs: A range of after school clubs including swimming, ballet, computing, Spanish and cooking Term fees: £9,000- £12,500 pa

133 Streatham & Clapham High School The school aims to empower pupils and help them exceed expectations in a caring, nurturing environment. A rich, challenging curriculum is matched by opportunities outside the classroom 42 Abbotswood Road, Streatham SW16 1AW T: 020 8677 8400 E: enquiry@schs.gdst.net schs.gdst.net Head: Dr M Sachania, Head of junior school: Mr T Milne, Pupils: 694 including senior schools Ages: 3-11 Gender: Girls Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: Nursery £3,235; prep £4,244

134 The Waldorf School of South West London/ London Steiner School The curriculum focuses on the academic creative, physical and emotional development of the whole child with an emphasis not just on passing exams but on loving learning 9 Weir Road, Balham, SW12 0LT

Leavers’ destinations: Dulwich College, JAGS, Streatham & Clapham High School, Whitgift, Trinity, Alleyn’s, Emanuel, Sydenham High School

LAMBETH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 136 Bishop Thomas Grant Roman Catholic Secondary School V A Rated outstanding by Ofsted. A specialist maths and computing school. Belltrees Grove, SW16 2HY T: 020 8835 9262 E: headteacher@btg-secondary.lambeth. sch.uk btg.ac Head: Mr Louis Desa Pupils: 180 year 7 intake Ages: 11-18

137 Dunraven Secondary School An all-through school aiming to offer an exciting and enriching learning experience for all its students. Rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted 94/98 Leigham Court Road, SW16 2QB

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T: 020 8696 5600 E: info@dunraven.org.uk dunraven.org.uk

nationally, with a focus on achieving beyond expectation and with exceptional pastoral care in a “family” school

Head: Mr D Boyle Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs

42 Abbotswood Road, Streatham SW16 1AW

138 Lambeth Academy

Part of United Learning, it is committed to bringing out the best in everyone to achieve their potential as confident, wellrounded individuals Elms Road, Clapham SW4 9ET T: 020 7819 4700/ 7498 5004 E: admin@lambeth-academy.org lambeth-academy.org Head: Jan Shadick Pupils: 1,039 Ages: 11-18 Clubs: A range of school clubs

139 La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School Rated outstanding by Ofsted. Specialises in science. Achieves very high exam results Atkins Road SW12 OAB T: 020 8673 5644 E: schsec@laretraite.lambeth.sch.uk laretraite.lambeth.sch.uk Head: Dominic Malins (acting) Pupils: 150 Year 7 intake Ages: 11-18 Clubs: Special provision in music

T: 020 8677 8400 E: enquiry@schs.gdst.net schs.gdst.net

Alleyn’s

Head: Dr M Sachania Pupils: 694 including junior school Ages: 11-18 Gender: Girls

The ISI inspection report judged the school excellent and concluded that “pupils are well-rounded individuals who are self-assured, articulate and confident in social situations”

Clubs: A range of clubs plus the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme Term fees: Senior £5,463, sixth form £5,258 Leavers’ destinations: Bristol, Durham, East Anglia, Exeter, Goldsmiths, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Royal Holloway, Sheffield, Sussex and UCL universities

142 The Laurels A character-based approach strives to develop qualities of greatness to achieve academic potential and also help in every other aspect of life 126 Atkins Road, SW12 OAN T: 020 8674 7229 E: office@thelaurelsschool.org.uk thelaurelsschool.org.uk Head: Ms L Sanders Pupils: 48 Ages: 11-18 Gender: Girls Clubs: A range of school clubs Term fees: £4,210

140 Trinity Academy Opened 2014. Relentless focus on academic rigour and style of education associated with grammar schools and the independent sector. Brand new campus being built 56 Brixton Hill SW2 1QS T: 020 3126 4993 E: info@trinityacademylondon.org trinityacademylondon.org

143 The Waldorf School of South West London/London Steiner School The curriculum focuses on the academic creative, physical and emotional development of the whole child with an emphasis not just on passing exams but on loving learning 9 Weir Road, Balham, SW12 0LT

Head: Ben Thompson Pupils: 120 Year 7 intake Ages: 11-18

T: 020 8772 3504 E: info@waldorflondon.co.uk waldorflondon.co.uk

Clubs: A range including Capoeira, steel pans and fencing

Head: College of teachers (no head) Pupils: 80 Ages: 3-14 Term fees: £3,897-£6,495 pa for kindergarten, £6,890-£8,263 pa for classes 1-8

LAMBETH PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS 141 Streatham & Clapham High School In the top 20% of independent schools

OTHER SCHOOLS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN NAPPY VALLEY

Leavers’ destinations: State and independent secondary schools, the Brit School, or Steiner education in St Michaels in Hounslow or Michael Hall in Forest Row Sussex and Kings Langley

Townley Road, Dulwich SE22 8SU T: 020 8557 1500 E: reception@alleyns.org.uk alleyns.org.uk Head: Dr Gary Savage Ages: 11-18 Term fees: Years 7-13 £6,042 Leavers’ destinations: Bath, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Cambridge universities

Ardingly College In Tatler list of top public schools. Excellent results and Top 10 IB school in the UK College Road, Haywards Heath RH17 6SQ T: 01444 893000 ardingly.com Head: Ben Figgis Ages: 4-18 Gender: mixed Term fees: Nursery/pre-nursery (5 days), reception & years 1 & 2: £2,800; prep as day pupils from £4,020; senior as day pupils from £7,460, boarding from £10,160 Leavers’ destinations: Russell Group universities

Cumnor House School Separate boys and girls prep schools owned and operated by Cognita Boys: 168 Pampisford Road, South Croydon CR2 6DA Girls: 1 Woodcote Lane, Purley CR8 3HB T: boys: 020 8660 3445; girls: 020 8668 0050 E: boys: admin@cumnorhouse.com; girls: admin.purley@cumnorhouse.com cumnorhouse.com Head: boys: Floyd Steadman; girls: Dina Mallett Ages: 4-11 Gender: separate boys and girls schools Term fees: Pre-prep £3,350; prep £4,030 Leavers’ destinations: Boys to Westminster, Dulwich, Charterhouse, Whitgift and Trinity; girls to Woldingham, Caterham, Royal Russell and Rodean

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Dulwich College

Sydenham School for Girls

An academically-selective school, Dulwich was rated excellent in every category in ISIs report. The college produces some of the finest actors, musicians, sportsmen and writers in the country

A GDST school focussing on the three Rs: resourceful, realistic and resilient

Dulwich Common, SE21 7LD T: 020 8693 3601 E: enquiries@dulwich.org.uk dulwich.org.uk Head: Dr Spence (Master) Ages: 3-18 Gender: boys Term fees: £6,077; £11,893 weekly boarders, £12,684 full boarders Leavers’ destinations: Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Leeds, University College, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford and Warwick universities

James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) JAGs aims to help all pupils fulfill their potential by stimulating their intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and imagination 2 Dulwich Village, SE21 7AL T: 020 8693 3465 E: Henrietta.Kiezun@jags.org.uk jags.org.uk Head: Mrs Sally-Anne Huang Ages: 4-18 Gender: girls Term fees: £5,295 Leavers’ destinations: Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Imperial, Kent, Kingston, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, St Andrews, University College and Warwick universities

King’s College School (KCS) Junior and Senior School. The Good Schools Guide called it, “a top school offering an exceptional education” Southside, Wimbledon Common SW19 4TT T: 020 8255 5300 E: Junior: hmjssec@kcs.org.uk; senior: reception@kcs.org.uk kcs.org.uk Head: Mr A D Halls Pupils: 1,300 Ages: 7-18 Gender: boys 7-18; girls 16-18 Term fees: Junior: £5,530 - £6,125; years 7-8 £6,125; year 9 onwards: £6,800

Junior: 15 Westwood Hill SE26 6BL; Senior: 19 Westwood Hill T: Junior: 020 8557 7070; senior: 020 8557 7000 E: info@syd.gdst.net sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net Head: Mrs Kathryn Pullen Ages: 4-18 Gender: girls

STATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES WITH SEN UNITS Ashcroft Technology Academy Autistic Spectrum Disorder T: 020 8877 0357

Eastwood Nursery Autistic spectrum disorder and social communication disorders T: 020 8876 3976

Term fees: Junior £4,116; senior £5,234 Leavers’ destinations: Sheffield, UCL, Manchester, Exeter, Birmingham universities

Hillbrook Resource Base Autistic spectrum disorder and social communication disorders T: 020 8672 3857

Trinity School ISI judged Trinity as “highly successful in meetings its aims and fulfilling its central mission, the rigorous pursuit of excellence balanced by compassionate concern for individuals” Shirley Park, Croydon CR9 7AT T: 020 8656 9541 E: hmsec@trinity-croydon.sch.uk trinity-school.org Head: Alasdair Kennedy Ages: 10-18 Gender: boys with co-educational sixth form Term fees: £14,460pa Leavers’ destinations: Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Durham, Warwick, Leeds, Southampton, Manchester, Loughborough and Imperial College London universities

Sacred Heart Primary School Autistic Resource Base T: 020 7223 5611

Sellincourt School Hearing Impaired Unit T: 020 8672 5982

Smallwood School Language Unit T: 020 8672 6024

Southfields Community College Hearing Impaired Unit; Speech, Language and Communication Needs T: 020 8874 0585

Southmead School Autistic Resource Base Provision

Whitgift School

T: 020 8788 8901

Whitgift is ranked among Britain’s finest schools, with expansive facilities akin to a country estate. Offers day, full, weekly or flexi boarding and IB

St John Bosco College

Haling Park, South Croydon CR2 6YT

The Alton School

T: 020 8633 9935 E: admissions@whitgift.co.uk whitgift.co.uk

Resource Base Provision for moderate learners

Head: Dr Barnett Ages: 10-18 Gender: boys

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Term fees: £18,618 (day), £29,704 (weekly boarding) and £35,522 (full boarding)

The Livity Special School

Leavers’ destinations: Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Kent, LSE, Leeds, Oxford, Reading, Sheffield, UCL, Warwick

Autistic Spectrum Disorder Unit T: 020 8246 6000

Tooting Primary School T: 020 3700 0790

A special school for children with complex needs 35 Adare Walk, SW16 2PW T: 020 8769 1009

NappyValleyNet.com

SEN SCHOOLS Bradstow School, Kent Supports children with severe and complex learning difficulties or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder with Severe Learning Difficulties T: 01843 862123

Linden Lodge

dyslexia and dyspraxia

Day and weekly boarding school for children with severe sight impairment, multiple disability and profound needs

30 Causton Street, SWIP 4AU

T: 020 8780 2712

92 St John’s Hill, Battersea SW111SH Provides support fro all students with special needs and specific learning difficulties

Caters for boys with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties

Oak Lodge Residential and day school for deaf and language impaired pupils T: 020 8673 9397

T: 020 7738 2344

Paddock Secondary School Garratt Park School Caters for children with moderate learning difficulties with associated complex needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder T: 020 8946 5769

fairleyhouse.org.uk

Nightingale School

T: 020 8874 9096

Centre Academy

T: 020 7976 5456 E: ps@fairleyhouse.org.uk

Caters for pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder with severe Learning Difficulties

Rainbow School Wandsworth Provides a specialist education using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behaviour (VB) for children and young people with autism and related communication disorders aged 4-19 Primary site: The Tram House, 520 Garratt Lane, Tooting SW17 0NY T: 020 3031 9700 E: rainbowschool@beyondautism.org.uk rainbowschool.org.uk and beyondautism.org.uk

T: 020 8878 1521

The McLeod Centre for Learning

PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Greenmead School

A tutorial centre for touch-typing, handwriting, literacy, maths, study skills, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia

Mixed day school for physically disabled and profound and multiple learning difficulties

Fairley House School and Fairley House Assessment Clinic

74 Lupus Street, SWIV 3EL

T: 020 8789 1466

Specialist day school for children with

amandamcleod.org

T: 020 7630 6970

Where to find help and information Childcare & Business Consultancy Services (Formerly Wandsworth Primary Play Association) For a list of Wandsworth pre-school playgroups and holiday play schemes for three and four year-olds, www. cbcservices.org.uk, tel: 020 7738 1958 Department for Education and Skills Find a list of school and college performance tables and find and compare schools and colleges using a map, www.education.gov.uk Independent Schools Show The annual exhibition showcasing 200 of the UK’s independent schools, from nurseries to sixth form. Venue: Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ. Date: November 12th & 13th 2016. Tickets are free if you register in advance. www.schoolsshow.co.uk

Local Authority websites Wandsworth www.wandsworth.gov.uk/

schoolsandadmissions tel: 020 8871 6000 Lambeth www.lambeth.gov.uk/schools-andeducation, tel: 020 7926 9503 Merton www.merton.gov.uk/learning/schools tel: 020 8274 4906 Merton play areas (covering Mitcham, Morden and Wimbledon) For a list of Merton play areas, log on to www.merton.gov.uk/environment/ openspaces/play-areas.htm Ofsted The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Find an Ofsted inspection report at www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk The Good Schools Guide A guide to independent and state schools. www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk

The Independent Schools Council Includes a search facility for the 1,200 independent schools it represents, www.isc.co.uk, tel: 020 7766 7070 The Independent Schools Inspectorate Log on and browse school reports, www.isi.net The State Boarding Schools’ Association Rather than paying £25,000+ pa on a private boarding school, a state boarding school would cost nearer £10,000 pa, www.sbsa.org.uk UK Boarding Schools Impartial help and advice for parents on UK boarding schools, www.ukboardingschools.com Wandsworth Family Information Services (IFS) tel: 020 8871 7899, email: fis@wandsworth.gov.uk, or log on to www.fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/ wandsworth/fsd/home.page

That moment for your next holiday At Mark Warner we pride ourselves on delivering holidays that go the extra mile. Of the many families who travel to a mix of our exclusive ski chalets and stunning beach resorts, over 50% book again and again, delighted by the combination of great locations, relaxed surroundings, superb sports facilities and brilliant, endlessly helpful staff and good company.

Every moment matters

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