Hi everyone
We are desperate for some help & have only found quite old threads on these schools. Hoping some mumsnetters can help me please. Acceptance deadlines are looming!
My late summer born DD is due to start in reception in September. Clearly we couldn’t make up our minds & applied to a few! She’s quite cautious, nurturing, a gentle and imaginative soul. Younger sister will also go next year.
St Mary’s, Hampstead
LIKES - great head, like small year sizes (2 classes of ~20), great STEAM centre for IT, nice facilities. Has reputation for good results but with less pressure and more nurturing which would suit our DD.
DISLIKES - we’re very liberal, not sure it’s too Catholic for us and worried we might not find many kindred spirits in other parents. Seems like a lot of children come and go as very international. Worry about continuity of friendships for DD.
Devonshire House
LIKES - Really nice, confident children showed us around. Gets good results, got a happy vibe. Teachers seemed nice.
DISLIKES - Not great playground area. So big (5 classes of ~20), worry that DD wouldn’t get enough individual nurturing. Didn’t really get a sense of the soul of the school, what it stands for and is really about. It doesn’t get great comments, historically, on Mumsnet which put me off! I’d love to hear from current parents.
Northbridge House
LIKES - Can go through to 18. Seems to get good results but seems less pressurising than some others. Think they are more concerned with wellbeing than some others. Got a happy vibe from children. Teachers seemed nice.
DISLIKES - Building quite old and tired. Some classrooms tiny, they put fewer children in them but still, it’s a long time to spend in such a small space. Playground quite small and far away from Reception children upstairs - although they go out 3 times a day. It’s pretty big, I think 5 classes of ~20)
King Alfred
LIKES - This is our ‘wildcard!’ Visited & slightly fell in love. Animals everywhere, longer playtimes, a really holistic education. Happy children, lovely teachers. Great outdoor space for early years. Staff chats felt like friends. Think we’d have things in common with other parents. Much less pressure, ability to be children. Can go to 18.
DISLIKES - We might not stay in London forever. Concerned by old Mumsnet posts saying that children who leave early find they’re very far behind at more ‘normal’ schools. I understand that you have to invest faith in their system of letting children develop at own pace which is fine if staying until 18 but just concerned about them getting in elsewhere if we left early.
We were both sporty & I went to a traditional boarding school with lots of organised sport. Would feel sad that they wouldn’t have much of that. Worry that too arts directed, is there enough tech/coding etc for future jobs? Worry that it’s too ‘different’ for us.
So, after that essay. Does anyone have any further insights or advice please? I’d particularly like to hear from any parents at these schools.
Many thanks in advance. This school stuff is sooo stressful!
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St. Mary’s Hampstead, North Bridge House, Devonshire House or King Alfred?!!
17 replies
Tacosforever · 12/02/2020 16:30
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Tigermom79 ·
14/02/2020 18:42
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