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Haberdashers or Berkhamsted School..

10 replies

Climb · 13/09/2011 20:28

My gentle, friendly, eager to please daughter is trying to decide between these 2 schools. Berkhamsted is closer and much easier but we want to make the right choice. She's undecided. Any views on strengths and weaknesses of the 2 schools?

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100lilgreen · 13/09/2011 23:41

Well i would put habs as far higher academically but i am sure Berkhamsted is good, but def not as good. IMO if have a place at habs, TAKE IT!

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enfieldmum · 14/09/2011 09:20

Not so fast lilgreen! If only everything was as simplistic as - school A higher in league tables than school B therefore school A is better. Just because Habs gets more A*s does not make it the best school for Climb's daughter. So much depends on her character and what suits her. From what I have seen of Berkhamsted it is a lovely school and gets brilliant results with a slightly broader range of ability. Habs is full of very high achievers with a huge focus on every girl achieving the top grade in every exam. That pressure does not neccessarily suit every child.

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mulranno · 14/09/2011 10:44

Well done DDClimb to have the choice of two very excellent schools where you will do brilliantly in either.

I have personal experience of both of these schools (went to Habs - daughter currently at Berko) - would say that they are chalk and cheese in terms of league tables and environment.

However league tables wont tell you if this is the right school for your daughter as an individual or indicate in which environment she would flourish emotionally and socially and at the same time secure optimum educational results.

You need to both spend some time in both schools (try-out days for DD) to see how you feel - then go with your gut.

My experience was that Habs was not as pressurized as people suggest - I was a bright cookie but my less able sister sailed thru too. However the massive catchment area (look at the bus routes Swiss Cottage/Finchley Rd to way out into Hertfordshire, and Potters Bar across to Hillingdon) restricted socializing - and I am not sure that I ever really felt a Habs community/family feel -- but that might just have been me. Berko does a brilliant job with the individual (one of my neighbours sons failed the Bucks 11+ went to Berko and is starting Oxford next week) and has a wonderfully strong community/family feel.

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100lilgreen · 14/09/2011 17:59

Never said B is not as good because of course it depends on the girl. It is just with hundreds of parents yearning for a place at the 2nd highest girls day school in the country, it seems such a shame not to take it. Yet obviously it does lie within in the personality and capability of climbs dd. Yet she must be capable to have got in ... However you did say B was much nearer which would then make it much easier .... difficult

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Climb · 15/09/2011 17:11

Thanks for all your thoughts. I am worried about the longer days given the distance away from our house (for Habs), also about socialising for a little girl who adores her friends. But the results speak for themselves and I wonder if her 'eager to please' approach would make her the right candidate for Habs.

Saying that, i am a working mum and do need to consider the school runs. I have 2 other kids and would need to think about logistics of getting everyone where they need to go.

I wonder if Habs would consider running buses closer to us if a few kids are from here... A friend who lives nearby has a daughter already going to Habs...

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Climb · 15/09/2011 17:12

Mulrano - I am particularly interested in your views. Would you consider Habs for your children? What is your view about their pastoral care?

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mulranno · 19/09/2011 21:35

Hi Climb - I have 4 children all with v different abilities and needs - Habs would only suit one or two of my children - but we have the opportunity of a brilliant local grammar which has excellent community emphasis and pastoral care - so Habs was nt really a contender. I cant comment on current pastoral care of Habs as we are not local to the school.

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oxycow · 15/10/2011 23:13

If you value morals in the people who run the school then you would steer clear of Berko. Principal on his 4th affair. A man with Religious Studies degree from Cambridge University who does not know the 7th commandment.

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SugarSkyHigh · 15/10/2011 23:20

Berko is a sausage factory. Would never send my DC there. Step DD went to Habs - that was great for her. others are better served by local state school which is fab. Where do you live?