Hi All

We have an offer from St Albans and was really looking for advice from other parents who have DDs here on what this school is like please? we live in Barnet and would use the coach service provided by the school.
Our other options are Latymer school (although this is a 30mins drive) and Palmer Green independent school.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

There is the 34 bus from Barnet to Latymer too.

How did you find the school when you visited? Maybe explain what your DD is looking for - is she sporty, or quiet, or sociable, loves drama, music, or whatever. Or ask specific questions that you may have about the school. The answers may help you to make up your mind, but no-one on here knows your daughter or which school would suit her best.

We have 2 DDs currently at the High School - one at the beginning and one at the end of her time there (now Y13 and joined in Y7). We moved our younger one there from Habs Juniors as distance to Habs was an issue and our older one was so happy there. But each child is very different so you will need to decide what is important to you.
Do you have any specific things you wanted to know about?

I think there will be quite a number of children taking the bus to Latymer from Barnet. It's not a very quick journey but I think it's very doable.
I know lots of people who've been to Latymer and have been very happy.

The only girl I know who went to Palmers Green had three siblings who went to Latymer. As with all small schools, I guess every year group is quite different. She was not happy there as she felt that there was quite a lot of pressure to conform. She was quite innocent and young for her age but she really struggled. In a different year group she could been happier maybe. She moved to a mixed selective state school for sixth form and it transformed her into a much happier more confident person. Her siblings have been very very happy at Latymer.

Thanks for replies.

Apologies - my question was quite general. My DD is fairly academic, loves drama, so-so at sport, Shy but confident. We just want to ensure she goes to a school where she will fit in and grow in confidence with the opportunity to get involved in a host of activities. We are looking for a friendly environment not too pressurised. We find she does go into a shell if not happy.

Overall - we had a good feel when we visited St Albans and got the impression the girls enjoyed the school. Laytmer we hear is also a good school but came across a bit run down due to funding issues? The lady who took us around (not sure if she was a teacher) was quite down beat about the school and came across as things were going down hill? Area is also a concern for DD travelling by bus?

Financial commitment is a big decisive factor and my preference would be for the Grammar. We have asked to see Laytmer again before we make a final decision but any advice from current parents would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Maybe re-post this with Latymer in the subject line?
There are lots of Latymer parents on the forum who I'm sure would love to give you feedback but might not look at a STAHS thread?

If you go to the Herts and North London section and do a search on Latymer you will find lots of threads on it.

Also search for a member called Copella who has posted a lot on the school.

What a shame you were taken around by a member of staff who was not passionate about the school.

I am sure there are plenty who are. DG

Hi
I would be grateful if someone could PM me if you have a DD at StAHS especially if you are from the Watford, Northwood, Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and surrounding areas?
I would like to send you some high level questions - my DD has an offer there and I would like to know more about your experiences.
Thank you very much in advance

It would, of course, be more helpful to more people who may be considering their offers, or thinking of applying to the school, to air the Qs and As on the public forum .

_________________
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx