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Is my DS the only St Albans boy going to Habs in Sept?

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:21 am
by Pushy Dad
We went to the parents induction yesterday and we found that we are the only St Albans family in DS's form. Everyone else seem to be from North London/Harrow.
I thought that they group boys from the same geographical area? I mean, out of 150 Yr 7s, we can't be the only ones from St Albans. Or is it a case of local parents favouring St Albans Boys for their DS?

Re: Is my DS the only St Albans boy going to Habs in Sept?

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:58 pm
by vas
I don't think they group by geographical area, (more likely an even distribution of ability). Your DS will meet them in the coach?

Re: Is my DS the only St Albans boy going to Habs in Sept?

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 3:50 pm
by Novice
Hi PushyDad

We are in the same boat. We were at the new Parents evening at Habs Boys last night too, and our DS is the only St Albans boy in his form. I am sure however, that they will meet other children from St Albans when they get the coach to/from school.

We are based in St Albans Town Centre, or rather 2 minutes walk from it.

Hope you enjoyed the evening, we found it to be very reassuring.

Mx

Re: Is my DS the only St Albans boy going to Habs in Sept?

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:09 pm
by lotsakids
I am interested in why you have both chosen Habs over St Albans School?

We live in St Albans and have a DS in Y5, and I'm thinking our options are Parmiters or St Albans, but not sure why we would choose bussing to Habs instead? I'd be grateful for any incite you can offer. Thanks

Re: Is my DS the only St Albans boy going to Habs in Sept?

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:12 pm
by Novice
Hi Lotsakids :)

Can't speak for PushyDad, am sure he will post on this later, but have you looked at both schools i.e. Habs and St Albans Boys?

For us, we definitely found that spending time at the schools with our DS and also without him was the best way of deciding what school we felt was best for him. Of course, he made the final decision on which he went to as he got into both.

We felt strongly that if we were going to 'pay' for his education then regardless of location, we were going to try and get the best possible fit for him. I have a few friends in St Albans whose children also go to Habs, and they told me that the school bus service was second to none, and really 20-25 minutes on a coach to school is not a big deal. :)

I understand that travel may be an issue for some when they are 11, but they don't stay 11 of course, and in their teens the bus is actually good social fun and allows them to mix with both the Habs Girls, and also boys from other years. :)

In essence, I guess what I am saying is, we felt that St Albans boys wasn't right for our son, and although convenient travel wise (he can walk in 15-20 minutes) in the short term, we felt that the positives of Habs far outweighed that short term travel convenience.

As a friend once told me, there is a school for every child, you just need to find the best one for yours.

Good Luck with it all.

Mx :D

Re: Is my DS the only St Albans boy going to Habs in Sept?

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:43 pm
by Pushy Dad
We did a tour of St Albans Boys and the emphasis seemed to be on academics and sports whereas it was a case of 'look at the wide range of extra curricular activities we offer?' at Habs. That was enough to seal the deal with my son. :D

As for the adults, St Albans don't offer music scholarships at Year 7 entry. Also, Habs by virtue of being a greenfield school has all its sports facilities on site whereas St Albans's is a coach ride away.