Finding the right school

Marina Dawson-Damer’s knowledge of London nurseries, UK pre-prep and prep schools is unrivalled. Having spent 20 years teaching and mentoring young children both in London day schools and boarding prep schools, she has now turned that knowledge into a consultancy guiding parents through the minefield of school admissions departments and often terrifying registrars.

Marina and her three brothers were dispatched from Sydney to UK boarding schools in their teens, and she’s never quite managed to leave these less-than-sunny shores.  Following training as a Montessori teacher, Marina was snapped up by Eaton House School, where she taught for five years. She went on to work at Wetherby (House), the only pre-prep school that still requires names to be put down at birth for a hope at being on the registration list. For her next job at Sunningdale Prep School in Berkshire Marina put her teaching skills, form tutor and pastoral care roles all together.

Marina has visited so many of the London Independent Schools that she is broadening her net to include the surrounding counties. Her objective is to find the perfect match between the child and school, and schools really appreciate her specialist knowledge of their culture and ethos. For parents, it’s a relief to know that someone is on the case and can coordinate school visits, admissions tests and registration deadlines, while keeping everything in perspective.