Parents pay for advice on schools

DESPERATE London parents are paying a consultant to help them find a good school for their children.

Katie Krais, a teacher, governor and author, provides a "surviving school transfer" service for £175.

After a three-hour assessment of a child's educational needs she recommends schools in a detailed report. Mrs Krais, of Mill Hill, is believed to be one of the first such consultants in the capital, and is in growing demand.

The credit crunch has seen thousands of parents who would otherwise pay to go private turn to state schools. Parents have until 24 October to get secondary school applications in.

Mrs Krais, who has worked at a school in north-west London for 14 years, said parents were struggling with a "very difficult" system.

One mother trying to find a place for her son said: "I have found Katie very helpful."