Does workload vary between private secondary schools e.g. Habs, St Albans High school, Highgate, Channing)?

[nizzy123]

We're in a blessed position of having a choice of schools after the school entrance exams and interviews. We're leaning towards Habs girls but don't necessarily want a hothouse for DD either. All these schools are selective and there doesn't seem that much between them in terms of league table results. Do they really vary that much in terms of homework load?

Are there any parents out there who have had experience of both or any of these schools or otherwise to give an indication of how much it can vary?

[BoboChic]

I don't have a DD at any of those schools but, FWIW, my feelings about choosing between schools that are relatively similar is (a) choose the one you and your D.C. like the feel of (b) choose a school with the shortest possible commute. It's much better not to waste time getting to and from school.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

I went to Habs girls. The commute each way took 1 hour (1 mile walk plus coach journey). It was fine, even when I was doing four A-levels and several clubs and activities after school.

[JamDonutsRule]

I've heard a few stories of both boys and girls at Habs having breakdowns and leaving.

I was PMing a poster on here a while ago who had a DS at Habs boys who was a natural straight A student but ended up falling apart due to the pressure put on him to achieve A*.

Also, a friend of mine teaches at a girls school which sometimes lose pupils to Habs girls after GCSE. They have had more than one straight A / A* girl leave Habs half way through the A level course and return to their school because their confidence had been eroded and they had been made to feel stupid.