Private vs. public schools in London?

Hi all,

  So it's looking likely that I will be moving to London early next year (for a duration of 2-3 years at minimum), with my wife and 2 children (ages 9 and 6) to follow when the school year is done next spring. I do not anticipate my expat package will include tuition for the kids' schooling and the tuition seems steep from what I can gather. My question is are the "public" schools in London OK for a couple years, or should I do what I can to get them into International schools there? I have heard that it can be difficult upon returning to the States if they go to public schools in London. True? Any help on this matter would be appreciated.

Just to give you a heads up. In England, what the US consider private schools are often called public schools, and public schools are know as state schools.

I think it will all depend on what catchment area you find yourself in, there are some excellent state schools in the UK and some crap ones as well - just like the US. It will probably be worth it to check out the Ofsted reports for the schools your children may be going to and check out mumsnet for reviews.

Thanks, Cali Girl. And as far as transferring back to the US, is it all the difficult a matter going from a state school in the UK back to a US school?

I don't have the answer to your question but wondered if you could speak to a member of staff at your kids school to see what they think? They might know what would happen to get the kids back into US school after a few years abroad.

i think younger kids will do fine.  my children left the UK at ages 4 and 6, spent 1 year in the US school system, then moved to France for 1 1/2 yrs in that system (on same schedule as US system), and then returned to the UK at ages 6 and 8. they have thrived and excelled in all three countries.  the UK system has children starting a year earlier, so they will have  a bit of 'cushion' when you move back to the US where they will return to their peer group. 
 
we have had our children in an excellent state school in London, but getting into a good state school is much more difficult these days give the economic climate. it's not as simple as chosing a home in a good catchment area as you still have to apply to schools and be accepted.

we have always supplemented the UK schooling with a fair amount of "American" information so they won't be lost when we move back to the US system.  you can find excellent help in the brain quest series in the US,

Can you try to get tuition included in your expat package?  The problem, as I see it, with the state schools is that you are not guaranteed to get into any particular one.  Simply living in the catchment will not necessarily get you a spot at your neighborhood school.  Instead, your child might be assigned to another school, some distance away, of poorer quality, etc.  Most of the excellent schools are oversubscribed so finding a spot can be difficult. 
My kids are both at American schools and I am really happy with what I've seen so far.  One benefit of being at an American school is the instant community.  I can't believe how many people have reached out to help us adjust to our new life here.  It's a built in support system for the kids and parents. 
These schools are expensive though- we wouldn't be there if it wasn't part of our package.  Are you still in the negotiation stage?  It might be worthwhile to try to have the tuition included so you would have a back up plan if you can't find a suitable state school.
Good luck!  I know how stressful it is trying to decide what will be best for our kids.
Jenny