Hello all

I am new - please be gentle.

We are now narrowing down our choices for senior schools. Trying to keep to a minimum of 2-3 independent.

although we saw Habs, St Albans and North London Collegiate, none of these schools felt right. Probably too academically driven for our DD.

Has anyone narrowed down Northwood College, St Margaret's Bushey and Haileybury - yes a little far from where we live but we loved this school as well.

Would love to be able to share thoughts on these schools with you.

Having just moved into the area a year ago, the whole process has hit us quite hard.

We are just over a mile away from our nearest state school which is ofsted outstanding but it is heavily over subscribed. We loved the school but it is huge - about 300 intake in year 7 alone. We feel a smaller independent would suit our DD who is bright but would benefit from a smaller environment.

I look forward to hearing any comments you may have.

Thanks in advance!

I'm afraid I don't know the schools you mention very well, but St Helen's is often considered alongside them so might be wroth thinking about? Good luck.

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mad?

We know these schools, particularly Haileybury; we spend a lot of time there using their music and sport facilities and attending open lectures.

All three schools are backup schools for the other three you mention so are a lot easier to get into. Northwood is in the North London Consortium so you need to follow the threads on what is happening there. They are abandoning their English and Maths exams for a "tutorproof" VR test and a big focus on the interview.

Haileybury do a great Mother/daughter evening that you might like to go to. And there are probably open days going on at at all these schools.

You might like to consider Queenswood and Aldenham as well, not sure where you live.

Haileybury is strong in Sport and Music and offer scholarships in both. We know several students there who have all ended up boarding even though they live very close.

Unfortunately I do know two families both with a dc with an offer for Medicine that was lost owing to unexpectedly very low A level results so perhaps parents need to stay quite involved to avoid this. DG

St Helen's parent here

It really is a fabulous school. Academic but a notch below Habs, NLCS etc with a wider ability range. That said, their results have been fantastic over the last few years, have a look - not dissimilar to Habs.

Not sure where you live but they run an extensive coach network plus it is on top of the tube (Met line).

Thank you for your replies. I read about St Helens on their website and general conversations on the forums here. I actually thought it was super academic like Habs and NLC. When you say a wider ability range do you mean that everyone isn't top of the game? I read somewhere on this forum that many girls are tutored on top of what is already taught. We cannot afford to do any tutoring and will already be struggling to pay full fees. We will apply for a bursary in the hope that we can get some discount towards our DD's education.

I'm wondering if my anxieties are overtaking my DD's true potential and that perhaps a school like St Helens is worth thinking about. I note they have an open day in November which we will go to with open minds. I will let my DD make the decision on what she likes.

I am very confused but hope to get some more guidance from the very many experts here.

Thank you.

I'm sure it isn't true for everyone but I know 5 or so girls in very selective state and independents that all have tutors.

It's mind boggling.

Tutors?

What for? Specific subjects and what years are they in? DG

All had tutors from Y10 or so for GCSE and have continued to A-levels.

I don't think it's unusual. Except it's only amongst the people I know.

I have 2 NLCS DDs and have NEVER hired a tutor. EVER.
You can't judge a school by the insanity of a few parents.

Neither of my DD, nor any of their friends that I am aware of have ever had a tutor at secondary. I think it is important not to make anecdote data and suspect you are right, it may be happening among the people you know, but that does not mean it is pervasive. Were the children tutored at primary stage too?

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mad?