North London schools for non-genius DS - Fortismere? Mill Hill?

[foodfairy]

We are lucky, live just about within the catchment of Fortismere School which is rated outstanding and generally well regarded comprehensive. The kids I know who go there all seem friendly and rate the school. Should be a no brainer. But I do hear quite a lot of mutterings from mums that while the school is good for more academic kids (although quite a few dispute this saying it's all the tutoring which gets the good marks) those in the middle get a bit lost.

DS now year 5 is probably in bottom half of his class. Never struggles quite enough to get intensive help from school, but never really shines academically. I do worry about him drifting through Fortismere and losing his way in the North London party scene.

I realise that this can happen at any school, but wonder if a smaller school which has more teacher involvement, extra curricular activities, especially sports, which he loves, would be good. I suspect he wouldn't get into Highgate/UCS which leaves us, I think with Mill Hill which he may get into. Not sure how hard the exam is for this anyway?

Has anyone else had this dilemma? I would like a school which makes sure he's on track academically and can stimulate him if he is a late starter to learning like as Dad as I suspect. But also keep him engaged doing something like sports/drama etc. Fees are incredibly high, and I'm trying to work out if a school like Mill Hill which gets pretty much the same exam results is worth all the money?

Any ideas???

PS have looked around both schools, liked both, and found things to niggle me at both.

[mumoftwo100]

Fortismere REALLY works for more academic no-hassle girls, but distinctly less good for middle attainers, boys, those who are easily sidetracked, much better than Mill Hill though which I really don't rate, a bit snobby for my tastes. Fortismere's results excellent this year though - half the GCSEs sat A star or A.

[foodfairy]

Rather sums up what I feel about fortismere. Great for my younger dd who so far seems determined, academic. Bit of a worry for ds. Do you know kids at mill hill? Have to say I don't but they seemed nice enough when I looked around? Are they especially snobby? I liked the feel of city boys when I visited as this felt down to earth but fear ds pretty unlikely to get in.

Any other thoughts or suggestions for schools?? Seems to be lots of choice or academic kids.

[areyoutheregoditsmemargaret]

Northbridge House? King Alfred's?

[Greenfizzywater]

Fortismere has been known to manage out those who aren't high flyers, including mid way through A levels. I would only send a very academic child there.

[foodfairy]

I knew they had high barriers to gt into 6th form at fortismere but not that they would manage out half way through.


Thanks for other schhol suggestions. Heard quite a lt of negative feedback on northbridge and king Alfred's I don't think is very sporty so not sure if its worth it instead of going to fortismere.

Any mill hill parents out there with opinion on the school? Worth the money?

[mickmills]

If you are in N2 you might want to consider the Archer Academy? I have not got kids there yet, but hear very good things about it.

[foodfairy]

Have heard lots of good things about archer academy but we are n10 so don't think much chance of getting in. But happy to bump into my old thread again. Any other thoughts for sporty, lower middle of the class academically, boys in north London? Somewhere which will make sure he's not too distracted and on track when 14???

[Crouchendmumoftwo]

Alexandra Park sounds like a good option.

[SoldSeparately]

Just chiming in to say that we are in a not dissimilar position to you OP so I'm interested to see the responses!

[MajesticWhine]

Not a mill hill parent but those I know are very happy. It's improving all the time and maybe getting tougher to get in but worth a try.

[DelphiniumBlue]

APS very good, deals with a wide range of abilities and interests well. But catchment for both APS and Fortismere down to about 0.5 miles this year.
If you want certainty then you need to calculate distance carefully, and you may find you aren't in catchment for either.
if you can afford private,it might work better than Fortismere for the child you describe.