Schooling Choices in London
 London School Areas
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Changing schools is a difficult time for parents as well as children, and concern about disruption to children’s education is a source of stress for relocating families. However, being aware of the options and procedures in your new area will help you to make informed choices about your child’s education.
Performance tables for UK schools can be accessed via the Local Authority or the DfES website for national statistics. Ofsted reports for the schools you wish to consider can be obtained from the Ofsted website.
Visit two or three local schools you like the sound of from their prospectus and Ofsted reports: there really is no substitute!
It is also worth getting two or three opinions on schools from neighbours or local friends with school-aged children. However, only use these opinions as a general guide, as the school which suits and is right for a friend’s child may not necessarily be suitable for your child.
State Education
Local Authority Schools
There are four types of school, Community, Voluntary Controlled, Voluntary Aided and Foundation schools. These schools are all self managed and funded by the Local Authority, but Voluntary Aided and Foundation schools tend to have admissions criteria that differ from those used by the Local Authority.
Primary and secondary schools in London are the responsibility of the various London Boroughs. See the list of London Boroughs and their constituent areas. Listings of all schools can be obtained from the Local Authority, and the schools will provide their own prospectuses.
Nursery Education – All four-year-olds should be eligible for five free sessions of nursery education per week in term time. Places are currently being extended to three-year-olds. Places may be in Local Authority nurseries or units attached to schools, or in the private or voluntary sectors.
Primary Education – In most London boroughs, there is a system of ‘rising fives’, whereby children are allowed to attend school from the beginning of the term in which their fifth birthday will fall. Other boroughs have one admission date in September for all children who will attain the age of five by 31 August the following year.
Secondary Education – Secondary schools in London are predominantly comprehensive and co-educational, but some are single sex.
Independent Schools
In the private sector, there is a vast range of choice throughout London and the Home Counties, including the American School and several international schools, many of which offer the International Baccalaureate as an alternative to English public examinations. However, it must be borne in mind that successful schools with good results can have very lengthy waiting lists. Independent schools in the London area include Westminster School, Harrow School and St Paul's School. The Independent Schools Council information service (ISCis) can provide general information on independent education, and has a searchable list of schools on its website.
