Mumsnet Talk

Hearts, I meant comparing private v private the only difference I can see is selection on entry.

Oh sorry dinky I misunderstood you!

For private schools, selection yes but also the self-fulfilling prophecy of a successful school (e.g. Getting the most pupils into the "best" unis year after year) attracting the best pool of girls to select from, attracting and retaining the best teachers and Governors, attracting families who can pay the school fees thus ensuring the financial viability of the school, which then goes from strength to strength, etc.

Lots of the girls i know sat entrance exams for more than one of the most academic state and private schools and also received more than one offer. Popular schools were NLCS, HABS, Henrietta Barnet, St Albans and City of London. I do think these school instill a sense of self belief and quiet determination that with hard work, anything is possible.

Smaller classes was certainly not the case when I was there ! 7-11 24 in a class with one teacher and no TA type person ie just one adult. After 11 there were 31 in a class. Personally I think you need to understand the social mix - these schools are jam full of second and third generation immigrants - there is a lot of determination to succeed and very little sitting on laurels. These are not private schools for the very rich who can rely on trust funds - these are hot houses for children who know that they will have to make their own way in the future

I would say that virtually all of the teachers were extremely good - I do seem to remember they moaned about their pay though! I did not get the impression that they were paid a lot more than state schools though of course things may have changed. I certainly think that the facilities were very good though again probably compared to today's schools they would be considered v basic I imagine. I think that there was a determination to succeed taught at school and instilled from most of the parents - I guess that is very liberating - I never felt that there would be anything I could not do.

These are not private schools for the very rich who can rely on trust funds - these are hot houses for children who know that they will have to make their own way in the future.

Habs has always seemed to be a glorified Grammar school. I know many people use it as back up if they dont get into the grammar schools. You don't get any of the benefits of a proper public school. At one point it did have the lowest fees in the area although I don't think its the case now.

dinkybinky - You seem to be quite disparaging towards Habs and I'm not sure why. Can you enlighten me?

"You don't get the benefits of a proper public school" Habs has extensive grounds and excellent sports facilities. Academically it is highly ranked

Or are you referring to the inability to network with a bunch of rich upper class white people?

Can't be the extensive grounds because I can immediately think of two comprehensives which run to those. Must be the networking with rich upper class white people.

I am not sure what benefits there might be in a 'proper public school' but the ethos of Habs when I was there was certainly that of a grammar - hard work!! You only have to consider the school motto to see that Habs girls always knew their place - Serve and Obey!!!

Lavolcan you don't know what you're talking about if you think Habs is populated by rich upper class white people. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"These are not private schools for the very rich who can rely on trust funds - these are hot houses for children who know that they will have to make their own way in the future."

I think that it is useful to make this distinction and I agree with dinkybinky.

Habs girls always knew their place - Serve and Obey

LOL

What's the matter dinky? Did Habs reject your DD?

I started to do a HABs school run this year, I was quite surprised by the overwhelming presence of Asian, Indian, Chinese and many other either mixed race faces, I have never noticed this before, the High School has a fair share, but predominantly still white

There are probably only about 7 "white" faces in the HABs class, infact I count how many white faces I see compared to the rest and I would say it is at least 75% non white.

Yes, highschoolmum. That's how it is.

Actually bonsai it was not dinky that aside this - it was me and I went there - dinky was just quoting and then disagreeing with me

OK

I wonder if the non-white parents at the High School go to their non white friends 'Jeeze. There are a lot of white faces at the HS'.

Or is it only white people that concern themselves with these kind of things?

My child has a non white face

I am afraid I saw it as a huge advantage not a disadvantage that my girls at Habs and NLCS were educated with all kinds of girls from all over. It's wonderful to be in a meritocracy as that is what much of the City and many careers are like now.

Nor do I accept that Habs is some kind of exam factory. They have a lake, huge load of fields, I loved the grounds. It's just delightful in terms of facilities. NLCS has lovely grounds too, in the place Handel lived for a while where indeed Handel today is often played.

Parents who don't like these schools can avoid them but they are in the top 5 for having the most girls into good universities in the country so whatever they are doing works as well as producing some lovely rounded girls with lots of hobbies.

I am not sure children go round counting white faces or who is Jewish or whatever. They are just people just like all of us are. The difference from many schools is that they are quite clever and if you're fairly bright it's nice to be in a class with others who are too.

I am an 'ethnic' too - frankly we formed the majority even 25 years ago. To be honest as a HAG I am not a massive fan of the school in many ways, but for those who are keen to criticise, at least get the facts right ...

Thanks babybarrister, assumptions made about the Habs student backgrounds are depressingl wrong.

OP- Habs is a great school, lovely grounds.

Entry is competitive but they have 4+ and 5+ unlike Nlcs which only have 4+.

Good luck.