Northbridge House Senior & Royal School Hampstead- to merge sept 2012

Hampstead, what made you seek out this thread? Why rubbish both schools and the parents who send their children there?
You wouldn't send a dying rat there...really?

Thanks doesnotlivelocally. Really helpful. I am sure it will all work out in the end. Like others - Camden for prep really suits us much more than Hampstead - and by time they need to go to the Senior School they can make their own way there.

Turniphead1 I do not think that you would be completely bonkers to consider it. I am sure that they will be able to prioritise your children as the school will still be 'small' even when merged, in comparison to others. I would visit.

BTW are there any RSH parents out there? I had heard that the deadline for acceptance of a place, by the RSH girls, at the newly merged school was to be sometime in January. Has this deadline passed? Does anyone know what the take-up rate is?

Just reading these posts about the NBH/RSH. I am in the process of looking into moving my two eldest kids yr 1(boy) and yr3(girl) into the independent sector. We live in N8 which has a dearth of nearby ind schools (with exception of Channing & Highgate that are v hard to get into). I knew (a little) of the merger situation and when I called NBH funnily enough they were very keen for us to come in . Am I completely bonkers to consider an educational setting in so much flux when I have the chance to avoid?
My worry would be that notwithstanding the "bigger" issues - the settling in of two new kids could be at the very bottom of the lost of priorities with everything they have to deal with.

I have a year 9 daughter at RSH and she was so anxious about the move to co-ed. A week or so ago, some NBH pupils visited and she was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and supportive they were, in relation to the planned merger. She's definitely reassured and so am I. Agree with other posters on here, about the size advantage and general facilities at the Hampstead site ; NBH pupils even commented on this during their visit. Just hope some of the excellent RSH teaching staff (particularly maths, science and modern languages) get kept on. The grapevine suggests otherwise.

Mrs Rumpole, I am so glad that you have been reassured. We visited RSH this week too. It all looks very promising for most.

We visited NBH today- I was very impressed with the Head Teacher. The kids seem to be very well- behaved and polite, standing up instantly when Miss Ayres walked into the classroom! Wow, my girl's not used to that! The classrooms are so poky and cramped, the NBH pupils wont believe it when they get to RSH. Just wait until you get up to the fourth and fifth floors- views over London you would not believe. I used to sneak up there on a winter's morning, just to get a look at the skyline.
NBH is of course a lovely building, but RSH is and will be more purpose built. I'm feeling much more positive than I did in September when we first got the news. Ms Ayres tells me that there is going to be three class entry from 2012. and the GCSE options have increased.

If there are any parents out there with junior school daughters at RSH- you may find it difficult to obtain summer dresses- uniform4kids are planning to wind down all their RSH stock, and certainly wont be restocking summer dresses. There could be a problem getting them in April, you might want to think about getting one or two now.... What a nuisance! We'll all be buying NBH uniforms within months of having to stock up on summer wear for RSH.

Exactly, parents at both schools won't but Royal school parents will have to.

The parents at the Royal will have to buy a new uniform, no?

100lilgreen, No there will be no mention of the Royal in either the name or the uniform unless they change their mind. As I said, at the meeting for NBH parents on the first day of term, Sir Christopher was specifically asked these questions and said that the school would be called NBH and the uniform would be the current NBH uniform.

I think the name would be too unwieldy otherwise and I am pleased about the uniform as parents at both schools will not have to fork out for a whole new uniform.

So there is no mention of the Royal in either the name or the uniform?!

100lilgreen, the school is to be called NBHS School. Sir Christopher said this at the meeting for NBH parents. The school uniform will be the NBH Senior School uniform.

I received a letter this morning to say that the NBH parent's visits are on the week commencing 17th October (as promised).

I too am concerned that parents can be identified on the online forum (even though I feel positive about the merger) as I feel parents will not be candid. Last time I looked it was dead (except for the original letters telling as about the move).

Good morning
Sparklerach- I have to tell you with a heavy heart that the deal is done, despite the valiant and determined efforts of the Royal School parents. They fought long and hard, but Cognita now own the school and yes, as you say, by September 2012 RSH will be part of NBH.
However, as I mentioned in an earlier posting, Sir Christopher and his team did not realise the passion and committment or, indeed, the anger of RSH parents. This has led to many meetings about what RSH parents want to see in the new school, including an increase in GCSE subjects,(languages) particular attention to the creative arts, and continuing excellence in learning support. It's what we all want to hear.
Re: The forum, it's a bit dead anyway at the moment, but do air any concerns you have, I think they are being answered promptly.

It sounds as though the merger will be dealt with in a sensitive way, but who knows for sure. My daughter is worried she will lose some of her best teachers, and this would be a disaster as some of them are excellent, outstanding.

And regarding the walk from NBH, cut through Primrose Hill via Gloucester Terrace, , over the bridge, up Haverstock Hill and Bob's your uncle!!

I wonder what the new merged school will be called?!

Mrs Rumpole, NBH is indeed boy heavy but I have found it, generally, a caring and nurturing school and my DC has been very happy there. I am sure all the girls at RSH will enjoy it (notwithstanding the upheaval of change). I do sympathise with the parents and girls who board, as the change will be very difficult for them.

NBH parents have not been told about any forum (is it only for RSH Parents?) so please do keep us informed. Ms. Ayre is an excellent head and very approachable, I am so glad she will remain in her post. I am sure you will be reassured by her manner and leadership.

Meterita, we too were only told the Friday before the start of term. It came as a shock to us too!

I imagine you are all aware there is a forum (at the insistence of Royal School parents) this will hopefully put NBH parents in the picture once it is up and running.
We have a meeting with Sir Christopher on 11th October, and I have an appointment to visit Alexandra Ayre to discuss the senior school. I have found Sir Christopher to be very responsive to our concerns, but, at the end of the day, I understand that it's all about making a profit. Am I right in thinking NBH is boy- heavy? Cognita will be able to correct that with the Royal girls........

My daughter attends the RS hampstead, and many of the parents feel really betrayed that the school has been handed over to Cognita group before being consulted with. I believe that NBH to be an excellent school, but that wasn't my first choice, I wanted an all girls school and local, hence my choice. I feel very sorry for the borders who reside there who will now be up heaved and sent else where, this was there temporary home and school. The trustees had no thought and consideration on how this may affect the parents and importanly the girls( we seem to forget how this effects them too) so we only found out by letter the Friday before the Monday we started the term!! And since many a meetings being held.. The next meeting we have is with Cognita next week.

Thank you for the up-date Mrs Rumpole. :) I would be grateful if you could keep me and any other NBH parents informed, as we have heard nothing.

NBH parents were due to be offered a tour of the RSH site during your half-term (week commencing 17th October) but it doesn't look like that will happen now.

I am particularly interested as DC and I may have to move closer to the school.

Good luck!

The way things stand now are: Royal Parents are still fighting to keep the school open in its present form. They have put proposals to Chris Woodhead about this, and we await their decision. I very much doubt whether Cognita will agree, as, in the words of our Headmistress:
"They want the site"
And that's the central issue. Grim as it may look from the outside, I totally agree with Lorraine's comments about the playground and the Food technology room is wonderful. It needs a lot of investment, though, as some of the areas are run down (thanks to the totally uninterested Trustees)
So, the parents lost the battle to run the school themselves, but now are putting forward a proposal to keep it in its current form, a lovely, inclusive, caring girls school, which they feel will flourish now the Trustees have gone. I believe that it is too late, and that the merger will go ahead as planned . I also feel that Sir Christopher and the Cognita group had no idea of the passion and commitment of the parents and the girls , and they MAY take the issues into account and the school COULD become something really special.......

I am a NBH parent and am, generally, happy and looking forward to the increased facilities the move will bring but we live over the other side of London so the commute for my DC will be more difficult. We signed up for a school in Camden, not Hampstead.

Are there any RSH parents out there? I read about RSH parents seeking to challenge the takeover in both the Local and National press. What if, anything, has happened about that? Has the sale to Cognita gone through?
We have heard nothing further.