In September, I was lucky to be able to visit Thomas’s Battersea Senior School as it opened its doors to Y9s for the first time.
Now that peak entry exam season is over, I am taking the opportunity to catch up on other school visits which could not take place over Covid.
In London, I have visited both Queens College School and Queens Gate School - both all girls London day schools from 11-18 with linked prep / junior schools. If you are moving back at the end of primary, it always makes the transition easier not to have to move schools twice. These schools make an interesting comparison with other London girls day schools I have previously visited including Francis Holland (Sloane Square and Francis Holland), Channing, Godolphin & Latymer, Putney High and Surbiton.
Around the M25 - which has been a popular area for families returning to the UK of late - I have recently visited Epsom College, City of London Freemans and Cranleigh. All co-ed schools which incorporate both boarding and day options. Epsom, with entry points at both 11+ and 13+ and with a day and flexible boarding options, is now a sought after option. Freemans (linked to the City of London schools in central London) is more of a day school but with a small boarding section and a new Sixth form conversion. Cranleigh, which starts at 13+, is more of a traditional boarding school, though generally children who live within an hour of the school so who go home most w/es. As nearby Charterhouse goes fully co-ed, it will be interesting how these schools fair against each other.
Each and every school I visit has something different to offer which is why I enjoy talking to families so much about what they are after and what suits their children’s needs best. I am also always grateful to schools for taking the time to show me around and answer questions which address the needs the mainly British expat community overseas I serve.
Upcoming visits are planned to Bethany School (Goudhurst) and St Johns (Leatherhead) with more to be scheduled into the Spring. I am also regularly at both Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, have strong student links with Eton, Benenden and Cheltenhams Ladies College, and I have colleagues closely involved with Ibstock Place School, Dulwich College (London), Lancing, Uppingham, Mayfield and Kent College (Tunbridge Wells). So, apart from specific school visits, we keep up with what is going on with a number of schools on a regular basis. However, rest assured we take no placement fees from any school so our advice is always impartial and focused totally on clients’ needs.
Fiona Hodgkins
February 2022