Dear Mums and Dads,
Need some local advice schools and location to stay. We are planning to relocate from overseas to Radlett or Harpenden with THREE kids: one due for Reception (Sep 2013), and two other kids in G.4 and G.7. This is high stake, complex move and I would appreciate any advice to help us make the right decisions!!!
We have TWO specific questions needing your local knowledge. My older two kids will likely to be at independent schools in Northwood or Elstree or St. Albans areas.
1 - schools for the rising 4 (3+) boy - Our target is to have our youngest one to start in a very good state primary until 7+ or 11+, then to get into Habs, MTS, or St. Albans as appropriate.
- Radlett Prep - I looked up past posts and couldn't find what I need.
They asked us to fly to the U.K. for a 45 mins assessment from overseas for a reception space in two weeks. Is it worthwhile to go? You can go in Feb too but will only be for remaining space. Is Radlett prep a good or very good school? Any insider information about the school? They seemed to send G.6 kids into respectable schools, Habs, etc. However, their website is not very generous on information e.g. what sort of education and experience would they provide for the children from reception and up? I cannot find what activities they do, curriculum, no photos, no postings of achievements / outings . I asked for a visit the day before the assessment but they just said they cannot arrange it. Just have the chance to speak to the heads whilst the kids being assessed. I feel like I don't know enough to make the investment of time/flight costs, etc. but there is no back up plan apart from the Newberries School reception. Manor Lodge thrown our application out in a rather "snobbish" manner, because we are a couple of days late in submitting the doc from overseas, so ML is out of my preferred list. Customers deserve some basic respect.
- Newberries Primary - from Ofsted report looks like a good school. How would you compare a state school with a prep school, in terms of learning experience and exposure. Can Newberries help achieve our goals? It has SATS average score of over 30, and about 50% of kids graduating at G.5 achieved level 5 (level 4 is expected).
- Any other good prep schools near Radlett? Or should we live in Harpenden instead?
2 - location to stay - just cannot decide on location as Harpenden seems to be more family friend, parks, swimming pool, restaurants etc., but Radlett is more practical given it is closer to the target schools we want to get into.
- What are the facilities like in Radlett, we want to have a life, e.g. restaurants, parks, etc.
- We want to live in a very safe low crime neighborhood, what part of Radlett should we target if we want to get into Newberries Primary?
Thanks everyone in advance!