manor lodge v's beechwood park

[charbw]

PLS HELP!! We are trying to choose between Manor lodge V's Beechwood park for sept intake.
We are based in S.Albans, and have 2 younger sister to consider too. I would love to know people thoughts on what our perceptions of the two schools are:
BP: great all rounder school, good for sport, music and pretty good for academics etc. good sen/pastoral
BUT: maybe less geared towards the girls exams enters at 11+ as would rather the girls stayed on to 13 with the boys. So not as focused on getting girls into the selective school like SAHS at 11.

ML : great results, the new heads vision is maybe more rounder/modern school philosophy. a wider range next schools for the girls, and gain lots scholarships.
BUT less extra circular, sports not so good or important. more focus on results higher up the school than the whole child. Doesn't seem to be much (need?) SEN/pastoral. A portion of 'Sterotype "pushy" parents focussed on academic results , adding lots of pressure, with excess extra prep for 11+ exams.

We are sandpit lane area so beechwood park we think is a longer commute than manor lodge. Manor lodge we are also concerned about the focus on academic results at the expensive of the rounder education (sport music well being). With two younger girls to consider what if academia didn't come as easily to them and it might knock their confidence if this is environment. (hothouse)
We are hoping to have lots of options for next schools to be able to gear towards what suits them. We are very much hoping to have SAHS as an option for senior school. Manor lodge seem to have such a better success rate over Beechwood.

Would love some insights/experiences/views on these two schools. TIA

[Moominmammacat]

It's not very difficult to get into SAHS!

[redstapler]

At most co ed preps the girls all leave at 11 as there's nowhere for them to go at 13. Are you sure BP doesn't support the 11+ for girls, I'd be surprised.

[charbw]

redstapler they do but they say they would like to increase the number of girls staying on to 13.
They must prepare them for exams/selection at 11 but it just doesnt seem to be a bigger topic as maybe other schools. I might be wrong ?

[redstapler]

So you need to ask them where they envisage girls going at 13, I'm not aware of any girls schools that have a 13+ entrance.

[redstapler]

Wanting the girls to stay til 13 with no clear plan of where they are going would be a huge red flag that the school might be in financial trouble and in need of the extra two years of fees.

[Jossina]

Royal Masonic takes girls after 11 as do a number of girls boarding schools.