Mumsnet Talk

Wondering if someone could put these schools in some sort of order as the best (in prestige, most sought, Ofsted report etc) being the first and the worst being the last.

Heathfield School Pinner
St Helen's School, Northwood
Northwood College, Northwood
North London Collegiate school, Stanmore
Haberdashers' Aske's School for girls

Thanks in advance

Sorry, also the Royal Masonic School. Please feel free to add more girls or co-ed schools in and around Harrow.

NLCS and Habs go at the top. NLCS does better in the tables but really not much between them but personal preference.
The others ....?

I think in academic terms NLCS and HABS do the best, followed by St Helens, Royal Masonic and then Northwood college and Heathfield being on par.
However, there are other factors that are important and need to be taken into consideration.
Firstly, Habs in particular is quite far from Harrow and you will have quite a commute. NLCS and Royal Masonic will be next furthest. The other three are not too bad.
Some schools are more academically pushy, some not so. I don't know how old your daughter is, but depending on her personality certain schools might suit more.
I have heard St Helens suits more confident girls as opposed to Northwood college.
Also Habs are more interested in girls that excel, whereas Royal Masonic not so much.
NLCS is very academic with lots of homework.
Heathfield and Northwood college pretty much everyone who applies gets in, so is not as competitive as the others.
The best thing to do is to have a look around all these schools. Have you thought about prep and state schools too?
Personally I think these are better at primary, as once your child reaches 11 you will have a better idea of what their personality/academic abilities are and you can make a better choice on which school suits them. Also they will be mixed and not girls only, which is again better in primary imho.
There are lots of good state schools in Harrow, some outstanding, depending on where you live. There are also good prep schools such as Orley Farm, Alpha Prep and Reddiford.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!

great thread, how would Nottinghill and Ealing High School fit in with this list, better than St Helens or on par

NHEHS - below St Helens, probably slightly above/equivalent to Northwood College and above Heathfield.

I agree that NLCS and Habs are at the top - the former suits straightforwardly academic children better, the latter expects you to do very well academically and very well at sport/art/music (their big selling point 10 years ago was turning out rounded individuals who excel in all areas).

Royal Masonic roughly the same as St Helens academically and very good for girls who have a paryicular curricular aptitude but aren't academic enough for Habs.

Northwood and Heathfield are definitely second tier in comparison, Heathfield possibly even third, but it has a good reputation for pastoral care, as does NHEHS.

I agree with all the others, HABS and NLCS on par with each other, then St Helens, then the others but given that there are some excellent Harrow state schools I'd probably look at them as being able to probably offer as much as somewhere like Heathfield or Northwood College but please don't judge schools on what you see as better on paper as it's so dependent on your child. I am currently in a situation where I'm looking at schools for DD which even 18 months ago would have dismissed without a second thought but knowing her personality feel would suit her better than the ones I'd previously set my sights on. Not because of her ability, she's a bright little thing,but because of what she needs due to the kind of child that she is.They are schools which I wouldn't even think about for my DS because he's a totally different kind of child.

I agree NLCs HABS thent he others. My friends daughter attends NLCS she loves it. Why you asking?

My daughter left state school in year 3 and joined Heathfield and has flourished. She has now progressed through to the seniors and loves it !
The school is a hidden gem, small and freindly environment. The pastoral care is exceptional and radiates throughout the school. Its not as pushy and precautious as others but the all round end package of a girl is far nicer. You only have to go and visit the school and see the goods (i.e. the girls) people need to be less worried about the gradieur and concentrate on the end package. A confident happy all rounded individual with common sense will fair far better in life. Check out the reviews on the GDST website which is often featured on Mumsnet home page !

I agree with shetty - H/field a real hidden gem. My daughter in Nursery and loving it. Young, enthusiastic teachers - really friendly and always have time for you. Ofsted and ISI say its excellent or outstanding. Went to look around more 'prestigious' schools and didn't like them. Ks2 results are very good. Heathfield seem to be only school who have nursery swimming every week - my dd swims better than her older brother!

Pure League tables wise across the country, I think the order is NLCS in the top 3, Habs in the top 20, Helens in the top 50-60, then others Northwood college in the 200s.

Compare the facilities and the pressure on the girls too... We wanted our daughter to get in at 3+ or 4+ and have the option of staying till 18. Helens does that unless the girl doesnt fit at all.. In NLCS and Habs, I hear, some girls dont make the cut in the 11+ exams.

And also, most schools take girls at 4+. Having seen all of them, we thought Helens was the best which takes girls at 3+, hence considered that. Glad that DD has been offered a place!

hi anyone please let me know how do u grade Northwood College compared to Heathfield

I've heard of habs and nlcs but not the others.

I wouldn't choose a school according to its prestige, rather how suited it was to my child.

What are your child's strengths and weaknesses?

Nlcs and habs are for the very academic girls

St Helen's is very good, next below the above.

Heathfield, northwood college, nhehs, royal Masonic are all good, just not as good as the above.
Look around and see which suits your daughter.