Need Help Please - Heneritta Barnett vs Dr Challoner High

[sbhatia]

Hi,

My DD has been ranked into final 250 for HBS,though she still needs to make final cut, and has passed Bucks 11+ as well. Now I am totally confused as which one to choose over another in CAF and looking for some help.

If looked into League tables, HBS is far far ahead however I would like to have more insight into howz life for kids in the school. Do they focus more on academic side and sports and other activities come secondary? Is there any difference between how curriculum is set-up in these two schools leading to huge difference between their league table ranking.How is sports facility in HBS?

Though we are open to the idea of moving near to HBS if she is offered place,but how close we should be to the school so that DD can enjoy completely what school has to offer and does not lose out on education,school clubs,extra curricular activities and also on socialising with friends. Is living in Harrow or Finchley Road is a viable option for DD to be able to commute to HBS and still be able to enjoy her years at secondary school.

Please help urgently.

[scary mum]

Where do you live now? Which school did you and your DD like best and feel most comfortable at? If you like Dr Challoners and live near by I can't imagine for a moment that it would be worth moving, it's a great school. It is not super selective so cannot compete against those that are ( it takes the top 30%).

[Rob Clark]

For DCHS you will have to be living in catchment. If you already are, why on earth would you move? It's an excellent school!

As scary mum says, it's not a super-selective but it gets very good results and it caters primarily for local children so all the other aspects you mention – clubs, sports, extra-curricular, social life – are strong because girls aren't travelling from miles and miles away.

[sbhatia]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your replies. Yes we live close to DCHS well in catchment area however very open to move close to HBS if thats what will benefit my DD in the end.

I completely agree that DCHS is brilliant school in itself. They have great sports facilities and we liked the school when we visited. Kids seemed very happy as well.

However its the ranking in league tables for GCSE and A level results which is making me think hard. Assuming we move very close to HBS and commuting is out of way,how the life in school is otherwise. Does HBS focus too much on education and steer students towards the subjects school feel the best for students in order to maintain school ranking. Will this come in way of students' interest of subjects in any way?

Other aspect is Sports.My DD is quite into sports and is very happy to play individual and team sports. As HBS does not have in-house sports facilities,does it mean that pupils are limited in what they are offered in terms of sports.

And DCHS ,being specialist Sports College as well, has more opportunities to offer in sports?

[southbucks3]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your replies. Yes we live close to DCHS well in catchment area however very open to move close to HBS if thats what will benefit my DD in the end.

I completely agree that DCHS is brilliant school in itself. They have great sports facilities and we liked the school when we visited. Kids seemed very happy as well.

However its the ranking in league tables for GCSE and A level results which is making me think hard. Assuming we move very close to HBS and commuting is out of way,how the life in school is otherwise. Does HBS focus too much on education and steer students towards the subjects school feel the best for students in order to maintain school ranking. Will this come in way of students' interest of subjects in any way?

Other aspect is Sports.My DD is quite into sports and is very happy to play individual and team sports. As HBS does not have in-house sports facilities,does it mean that pupils are limited in what they are offered in terms of sports.

And DCHS ,being specialist Sports College as well, has more opportunities to offer in sports?

From what you say, every part of you is really screaming dchs! The ranking is irrelevant, if your daughter is capable of 10 a stars, she will get them with full support at dr challoners, and they all shuffle around at A level anyway, so she can choose then what dhe wants to do, but again would do well at challoners. Do not be swayed by rankings, they are just one very simplistic set of numbers, look at sub level improvements in core subjects from yr 6 - 7, childrens over all happiness and fitness levels, and if you are local speak to other parents.
Anyway, results can be deceptive just like the 11+, who knows if those stunning gcse results are down to having a really clever cohort of pupils, rather than brilliant teaching, or even due to parents spending thousands on weekend and easter holiday revision courses.
Go with challoners