Private school around stanmore

[kingswood]

Hi there

We are going to settle around stanmore. We have two daughters aged 4 and 6. Can somebody recommend good private primary schools. Focus should be good education and preparing for good secondary school.

[4PlusMum]

Have a look at Manor Lodge in Shenley. It's fab. You have missed the 4+ entry this year, but they may still have the odd space and lose a couple in year 1 to Habs 5+ entry so there might be spaces for both your DDs.

Radlett Prep is also worth a look but it is more geared to boys IMO.

[zenmum]

Agreed with 4plusmum. I spoke to ML, for the 4+ classes & as 4plusmum said, it is all full. Additionally, they do over offer, so it maybe difficult with ML.
RP is good as well - they have less girls than boys, so your daughters may have more of an opportunity there, as they maybe keen to admit more girls this year - worth a shot…& they are known to be academically focussed & preparing for good secondary schools - what you seem to be looking for...

[LePetitPrince]

Have you tried North London Collegiate? It's probably the very best school for girls in North London and is on your door step.

[alexw]

St Hildas in Bushey - fab prep school less than 10 mins from Stanmore

[4PlusMum]

NLCS had 350 applicants for 40 places, has just completed 2 selection rounds and offer letters are going out tomorrow. Unless they have already been part of that process there is no realistic chance of the OP getting her DDs in until 7+ or 11+. Likewise for Habs, although they also do a 5+ assessment.

[Homely1]

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether manor lodge or st Hilda's is better please?

[2kidswhatschool]

Also wondering about manor lodge! Really torn between sending my daughter here or a non selective private school

[NoTimeToDillyDally]

2kids, it depends on which non selective private school you're considering. They're not all alike and most have some sort of selection process (with greater or lesser emphasis on academic potential, signs of difficulties, etc.).

Your username suggests that you may have two children (twins?). If so, you may be looking for a school that suits both. One school does not fit all but some will do better than others in this respect. It's about having a clear idea of your child/ren's strengths and needs. A good nursey, along with your own & close friends' / family's observations will help to build a picture of the type school best suited to each individual. Don't underestimate the instinctive nature of school selection, too. You'll get a feel for the school when you visit on a tour. Tours led individually by the Head / senior management are best as you will have more opportunity to ask questions. At a school tour (make sure you go during a normal working morning, if possible), you'll get a good sense of whether your child/ren would fit within the ethos of the school - and whether you felt comfortable with the school's culture. It's important that there's a good fit between the school's and your family's culture in relation to standards of behaviour, academic expectations, classroom dynamics, demography, the way in which pupils interact with their teachers, etc.

[2kidswhatschool]

Hi Notime. Thank you for your reply. I have two children. Girl and boy different ages. My daughter, aged 3, is quite bright and sat an assessment at manor lodge. She was offered a place and I know she would do well at the school however my concern is that it might not be the best school for my son. He's too young for me to be able to tell what his academic abilities will be. The reason why I'm now wordering whether or not to accept the place is because we mainly chose this school because it was co-Ed and we liked the idea of the kids attending the same school. My other concern is that I have heard from current parents that some feel there children have lost a bit if their child hood as the home work is so intense especially in year 5 and 6.
Like you said I think I just need to go with the feeling I got when visiting my two choices and what fits best with our family.

[Homely1]

Thank you too... it is so difficult. I wonder if anyone could say which is more academic manor lodge or st hildas. It is so difficult to gauge when you go to visit!

[2kidswhatschool]

Not familiar with St hildas but manor lodges leaver destinations are very impressive along with scholarship offers.
I think manor lodge is an amazing school just trying to decide if such a strong academic focus is what's right for us as a family. Would mean less free time all around

[NoTimeToDillyDally]

Yes, that's a common 'story' in terms of the intensity of work for Year 5 and 6s. However, it'd be similar in most of the more academic schools as they'd also be preparing for the 11+ transition (unless you're looking at a school that transitions at 13+).

I suppose it's important to know whether private senior school is a possibility - or whether that is likely to be out of the question. ML don't prepare for state school selectives (grammar schools), by the way - although the maths covered would help. Most grammar schools require a lot of Verbal Reasoning prep. too. If you ARE considering independent (private) senior schools as a possibility in the future, you may loathe the preparation but your child will need and benefit from it in terms of exam readiness.

Incidentally, boys generally tend to benefit from co-ed (behaviourally, concentration, etc.).

[2kidswhatschool]

thanks notime. I have a lot to think about!

[underneaththeash]

Completely disagree with notime - my eldest started off in a co -ed and has done immeasurably better in a single sex. He's not even that boyish. He's just attained top 3% in the country for 11+ too.

IMO boys do better in boys schools.

[NoTimeToDillyDally]

There's no need to disagree so vehemently. I did say 'generally'. Not all boys are the same. Likewise, not all boys' schools are the same. It's about knowing your child and finding a match.

[underneaththeash]

But I don't think they do generally benefit from co-ed (hence my post), I think generally they benefit from single sex, especially in primary.

[LottieDoubtie]

If you want something a bit less pressured look at Grimsdell/Belmont in Mill Hill.

[2kidswhatschool]

Thanks guys. Lottiedoubtie I'm a bit late. My daughter will be starting Sept 2017. Ugh this is so hard! My options now are either Stormont (all girls) and my son would go to Lochinver (which we LOVED) all boys or both to manor lodge. I love Stormont but have heard mixed things about it not stretching students enough. Thoughts anyone? Help!!!!

[Homely1]

2kids.... I have the same dilemma in as much as I'm trying to decide between manor lodge and st Hilda's (all girls). I'm looking for the most academic as they are otherwise pretty similar.

Any help would really really be appreciated!

[2kidswhatschool]

Homely it's so tough! I wish someone else could just tell me what the right thing to do is! On another note when is you daughter set to start reception? Next year?