St Christopher's hampstead

[Schoolhunter1]

Any opinions? We're thinking about this school for DD for 2018.

[airingcupboard]

small, friendly

you'll have to do the 11 + (don't listen to the rhetoric, everyone tutors)

they take all siblings if that is relevant

if your daughter is born Feb-Aug they will assess but offer a Y1 place so you'll have to find somewhere for reception

[Schoolhunter1]

Thanks, I'm certainly in two minds about the 11+.
I know the head has recently changed so wondering how this changes a school as the reputation we've heard in the past has been great. I think we'll try to visit.

[VanillaCoffee]

Rave review from me for St. Christopher's. My daughter started last month and is extremely happy. The staff are charming and very approachable and helpful. The girls are lovely.

One of the really sweet things about the school is their "Friendship Bench". If a girl is feeling lonely during break times, she can sit on the bench, and someone will come up to play. The older girls are guaranteed to come up and help a young child who looks lonely. Last week the class discussed the importance of including other children while playing. The playground has some lovely little corners, including a "Fairy Garden", an "Alice in Wonderland Garden," and a Narnia wardrobe area.

Academic standards are high, and yet the school seems relaxed. The curriculum is great. Literacy and numeracy seem to be very strong, and all the children enjoy learning Mandarin and Spanish. There is also an option for French. One of my daughter's favourite classes is P4C. We were mystified when we saw this on the timetable, but eventually found out that it means "Philosophy for Children".

New Year 1 girls are made very welcome, and integrate quickly. Families with children who have attended Reception are encouraged to invite new Year 1 girls to their birthday parties, and this helps to integrate the new girls. The families are very friendly and welcoming.

We are just enchanted with the school. Oh, and they have managed to get my little fussy eater to eat green beans at lunchtime!

[Schoolhunter1]

Oh wow, that is a rave review, thank you! That's really helpful! That's the impression we had had but it's great to hear it from the 'horse's mouth'.

[Arty3542]

How's St Mary's in Hampstrad? :)

[Arty3542]

Sorry! Didn't mean to highjack your post but wondering if you looked there as well. And if you heard anything, pros and cons.

[Schoolhunter1]

No problem! No we haven't actually but I'd be interested in any comments. We've seen the children's house, which seemed lovely.

[Frogusha]

St Mary is great. They are very popular. The results are great (given they are non-selective they are very impressive and just confirm the pointlessness of 4+), is a lovely, caring school, with good ethos, nice grounds and amazing teachers. I preferred it to St Christopher. Pros of St M over St C- better outside space (more of it, greener), and I know it is subjective - a nicer feel to the school (St C didn't leave me with a warm feeling, the headmistress kept talking about the kind of child they don't want to have), nicer uniform (if you have a tomboy they might actually love the trousers but I would struggle every morning to get my DD into trousers and fleece, especially green that she dislikes).

[Schoolhunter1]

Haha, for me I think it was the scruffier st c uniform that first attracted me! Thanks for your advice - which head said that, the old or the new? It sounds a bit negatively selective. I must arrange these visits.

[Arty3542]

Schoolhunter, thanks for understanding!

Frogusha, really helpful insight! Thank you.

[Arty3542]

Oh, does anyone know where most of the St Mary's families live? Do many children commute?

[Frogusha]

Schoolhunter, yes, a visit is a must - I also registered based on the reputation. It was the old one.

Arty, in my experience mostly local - Hamsptead, West Hampstead, St J W at most. But they do have a school bus too.

[Arty3542]

Great! Thanks, Frogusha.

[Wallina]

Rave review for St C's from me too! The children are chirpy, comfortable and confident. As far as I have been able to see in the last three years all types of personalities thrive - the school very much caters to the individual. Very creative, not a hothouse, welfare of child all important. New head seems good so far. Happy to answer any specific questions but do have a tour - much better to see for yourself!

[mumbytheriver]

Anyone know what's happened to the nice new head at St C's??

[CruCru]

Out of nosiness, why have these messages been withdrawn?

I've visited St Christophers and liked it a lot. The girls were chirpy and wearing a moderately scruffy uniform - it was clear that they were there to learn and play.

[expat96]

I withdrew my response when I realized that mumbytheriver had started a new thread with the same question. I responded there.

[Lotrmummy]

Hello, may I know where can I find the new thread started by mumbytheriver? I've registered for Dd for assessment with St Chris and it's top on my list. So worried she won't get through because I love the school and am so confident my Dd will thrive there. Also worried about changes in the head and wondering if the new head despite her amazing accolades will move the school in a very direction. Will appreciate any comments or information on this. Many thanks!