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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Views on Haberdashers for girls and North London Collegiate

19 replies

stressed2007 · 11/10/2009 22:25

Help please. I am going slightly doolally trying to sort out schools for my daughter who will be starting school next year (places finalised very soon).

Please can you provide views on Haberdashers and North London Collegiate for her - she is a bright button but she is quite a free spirit and I really don't want this managed out of her or her turning into a geek child. Please be as stereotypical as you want as I am really scared I will send her to the wrong school

I am also going to be posting this in the primary school section.

Many thanks

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RustyBear · 11/10/2009 22:28

You need xenia!

Not sure if she's still around, but you could try doing a search on her name & the schools to find her accumulated wisdom on the subject.

stressed2007 · 11/10/2009 22:35

Yes have seen the war and peace type thread on it. She is very strongly opinionated though (why we all love her) and was hoping for perhaps some more middle of the road views. Have n't read that thread for ages so maybe an unfair comment so will go back and reread

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stressed2007 · 12/10/2009 08:31

Is Xenia still around nowadays?

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shergar · 12/10/2009 14:18

I went to Habs Girls and it was tolerant with a bit of eccentricity and didn't try to suppress the more free-spirited. We got up to all manner of pranks and the teachers were almost all highly amused at our antics. This was some time ago, but I was very happy there and it's a school that I have my sights set on for my own daughter in due course. I don't know much about NLC, but I can't imagine it's that different.

One thing I would say is....have you considered/looked at City of London? It's got a good rep for girls like yours, and it's a reasonably easy commute from much of London.

Buntytea · 12/10/2009 14:26

Stressed2007, obviously it depends on where abouts you are based and how far you wish her (and possibly yourself) to travel, but have you considered St Albans High School? I have friends who have experience of Habs and the High School and most seem to prefer the slightly less academic emphasis at the High School, and I know of a few girls who moved out of Habs to the High School during their school careers (not meaning any disrespect to shergar - different schools of this ilk suit different girls, etc).

This is going back a bit (!), but at university I knew quite a few girls from NLC - all incredibly academically talented and very alternative minded.

Hth.

squeaver · 12/10/2009 14:33

Both academic. Habs more nurturing. NLCS more pressurised academically but those girls will rule the world. Both very very difficult to get into. Both very ethnically mixed.

If she's a bright thing with an outgoing personality that seems to make a difference at their assessment.

(All of this from friends with dds at both schools)

Don't know how old your dd is - you're going for reception entry? Are you only looking at girls' schools? Have you looked at Channing?

stressed2007 · 12/10/2009 15:19

have 2 s in laws that went to city of london and it really did them no favours at all. Both quite bright and came out wih shocking results - don't know how typical that is.

My Dh does n't want DD to commute into Central London as he had to from young age - it is a bit different I think getting on a school bus and being dropped off at the door??(or maybe I am kidding myself)

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stressed2007 · 12/10/2009 15:22

Buntytea are you telepathic? You may have seen my other post on St albans - this is another school I am considering. It is a bit closer at the mo. So difficult to make a decison when we might be in a different area in a few years and may have plumped for wrong school by then.

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stressed2007 · 12/10/2009 15:24

Squeaver - daughter is 3.5 so going for reception (next year). I have not heard of channing - where is it?

I have not worked out yet why there is a 4+ and 5+ entry - why would anyone start a new school in year 1 when you have to be in a school at reception?

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Buntytea · 12/10/2009 15:53

I didn't think I was telepathic but you never know!

I would recommend St Albans High School. From what friends of mine say, it has an extensive bus route - so you never know that if you end up moving, it might still be a viable journey for your daughter. Plus Wheathampstead House has a really excellent reputation - I think it is Times Prep of the year or something?

I have to agree with you about commuting into the city. I used to work near the Barbican and seeing the City girls squashing themselves onto the tubes every morning made me feel a little sad for them.

Channing has an excellent head, she used to be at St Albans High School, and know parents there loved her at the time.

stressed2007 · 12/10/2009 15:57

Is Channing the school in Northwood then (I love that area) - I think that is where the head of St Albans went.

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alexw · 12/10/2009 16:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

squeaver · 12/10/2009 16:43

Channing's in Highgate.

Litchick · 13/10/2009 17:22

Just to add that St As is very popular with Mums I know.
Good school that is highly academic. Excellent results. Nice short hours. Not too much homework at prep level. Girls seem happy.
Low fees, these things being comparative, I know.

Only down side is they weed out at 11 if your DD isn't clever enough...but they do that at Habs too.

cleanandclothed · 13/10/2009 17:38

I went to Habs but only the senior bit. This is quite some time ago. As your daughter is so small I would take into account things like the journey much more than slight differences between the actual schools. You can decide again at age 11. When I was at Habs, which I liked so am biased, St A High had the reputation of being slightly less ethnically mixed - a bit more WASPy, and North London a bit more rigid.

For what it is worth - and you asked me to be blunt - I think 14 years at the same very selective, single sex school has its downsides. I would actively consider a primary school that had no secondary attached.

stressed2007 · 13/10/2009 22:27

low fees? I had n't noiced .... scurries off to check this out

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stressed2007 · 13/10/2009 22:28

cleanandclothed you make a very good point - thanks

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liliputlady · 14/10/2009 12:50

You could also try the independent section of the forum on www.elevenplusexams.co.uk - I'm sure you'll find plenty of people with experience of these schools.

ratherbeinnorfolk · 14/10/2009 16:37

My daughter is in Year 10 at NLCS and although she loves the Senior School, she's really pleased she didn't go to the Junior School. Her friends report it was much more narrow minded than the Senior School and focused on neatness and presentation too much. She went to our local state primary, and thinks that was much more enjoyable.

I was put off Habs as it's really difficult to access by public transport, which is important when your daughter is older, and wants to stay late for activities, or has weekend rehearsals etc.

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