Mulberry House School & Hampstead Hill School

[SummitLove]

If you had a child at any of these schools where they offered a place at your first choice school at 7+?

How early did you register?

Did your child enjoy their time at these schools?

[SummitLove]

Thank you so much Noctilucent.

Can I ask why you went with moving at 4+ rather than 7+?

[Samkopel]

We have just been through the process at MHS and it is BRUTAL! The head teacher left at Christmas in the middle of it all, the school has been expanded so instead of trying to find places for around 20 kids (this year), there will now be 30-40 (from next year).
The majority of the class did not get first choice this year. Feel misguided about where to apply and how competitive it was going to be. There are a lot of very unhappy parents!
Interested to know how Hampstead Hill did!

[SummitLove]

samkopel thank you so much for the response. I was totally unaware of these issues, although I was aware that last year some children did not get their first choice school. It is a little concerning there are now an additional 20 children preparing for 7+ but it doesn't feel like schools with 7+ intakes (in the area) are expanding their intake. Do you know whether every child has a place yet?

noctilucent Perfect, thank you. We are really struggling to find schools that have extended hours for working parents, which is why we are looking at MH and HH until 7+. We really like Highgate but even with serious tag-team parenting we just would be able to do the drop off - pick up around those hours.

[Samkopel]

Hard for me to respond to all these comments as we also loved the first school, it was lovely and nurturing. Sadly it is hard to see how all the changes will benefit the children and parents and unfortunately a lot of the parents in the second school feel that way.

[SummitLove]

Fully understand Samk Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

[Samkopel]

if you have a boy you could try UCS pre-prep but I don't know how well they cater for working parents.
feel free to private message me if you have any other questions about mhs.

[SummitLove]

B+G Twins so ideally looking for co-ed.

[NW6AussieMum]

Our son has been at MH since he was two and we absolutely love the school. It is very academic and certainly moves the kids through things very early - our son knew all his phonics by age three and a bit, without any practice at home - but somehow it all seems like fun to them. More importantly, there is a lovely ethos, with a real focus in being kind to each other, sharing and general good behaviour. I'm also a fan if the new building work - our son loves the roof garden.

Our son is 4 and will be staying to 7+, so I can't comment on the exits from personal experience, but historically it seems to do well.

[ThamH]

Hi @NW6AussieMum

Sorry I realise that this is an old discussion.

How early did you have to apply to get a place for your son at MH?

[SomeonesMum123]

My daugher is at MHS, we applied soon after she was born but a lot of parents dont, and I think you can still apply after 1 for entry at 2

[SomeonesMum123]

*daughter!!

[ThamH]

Thank you @SomeonesMum123

Is your daughter still there? How do you find it?

[SomeonesMum123]

She is still there, we’re very happy. It is very academic though so not the perfect fit for everyone I imagine. The teachers are lovely and very caring and the school did a great job during the pandemic

[ThamH]

@SomeonesMum123

That's wonderful to hear. I suppose you can always even out the academia with other stuff outside of school for balance!

Thanks for all your help.

Will you be keeping her there all the way until shes 7 or exiting at 4+?

Sorry for the inquisition!!

[TheWashingMachine]

Devonshire House? Mulberry pushes early but I don't think it's all it is cracked up to be. Hampstead Hill provides such extensive wrap around care I wonder why those bother having kids.

[SomeonesMum123]

We’re hoping for her to do the 4+ but her brother will sit the 7+ when he goes in a few years.

I’m curious as to why you think mulberry house isn’t what it’s cracked up to be @TheWashingMachine

Also friends that have kids at Hampstead hill often both parents are working. Rather unfair to question why they bother having kids.

[SomeonesMum123]

Also @ThamH, there’s plenty of non academic stuff that happens at mulberry! They do forest school, sports, LOTS of art and outdoor play, drama etc from the get go, I just meant that they are learning phonics and maths before they’re even 3 which is a lot for some children

[ThamH]

Thank you @SomeonesMum123

Your messages have been so helpful :)

Yes, I did think it was a bit harsh from @TheWashingMachine

Everyone has their reasons and I'm sure parents can do a lot worse than apply and get their children into HH.

Anyways I hope you're OK and you're just venting.