City vs Forest vs Belmont?

@chicagogirl I'd love to know how it worked out for you too :) also info/experience on the school your DS is attending would be super helpful!

Chicagogirl, where did your DS end up? I am interested in these schools for DS.

I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty certain he wasn't a 5 for writing. He stuck on a high 4 for ages and couldn't quite add enough to go higher. The knack of over writing (and it is over writing - cramming in adjectives, adverbs, metaphors etc) came v last minute (Christmas!).
Maths was different, he was just about a 5 at the end of y4.
So not a genius at all, especially in comparison to mn kids. Why not go for ucs or Highgate in addition (whichever you prefer) as I don't think 4 exams is excessive. And don't write off Highgate woods, I hear great things about it and it's a shame the families at your primary aren't putting more faith into their local school (are results so dissimilar to Fortismere?).

No rugby at Highgate, just to make your choice easier.

For what it's worth, I went to Mill Hill for a rugby match recently. Lovely buildings and grounds (just amazing for still being in London) and college work staff very polite and helpful with directions, as were the pupils. Good game - no nastiness or bad behaviour so that is a good sign. Interesting displays on the corridor boards etc - OK, it coincided with the Founders Day or some such but it was a good show for that and more importantly felt good. There are some schools where the staff seem quite indifferent as to whether you can find a loo or find the sports pitches and I think it tells you a lot about the place when staff/caretakers take the time to show you or direct you. Slightly different point - also some supposed boarding schools where you won't find anyone to ask on a Saturday afternoon. Anyway, I thought that Mill Hill looked like thumbs up and the new head, Frances King, is a capable and interesting head who should do good things. Just to add that we know someone who goes to Forest and he and his parents are happy but if you want rugby (he is cricket mainly) then Mill Hill. Wouldn't worry too much over the results vs City because City have the pick from everywhere that can commute into the City (huge, obviously) and the trade off on sport is that they do mostly indoor sport or what can be done with playing fields a 30 to 40 minute drive away - this isn't a dig at City which is a great school but just different ie it is a different experience.

Ps. I don't think he won't get in to Highgate / UCS, just that so many people try that you really can't count on it by a long way.

glad you've chosen MTS, Belmont, Forest. I'd be tempted to add in NBH as another backup? Or You could always try your luck with one of Highgate / UCS? 3 schools doesn't seem like enough to apply to IMHO.

I feel awful that I've given the impression that you need a boy genius to be offered a place at City/Highgate/ucs. Mine really isn't and nor are his new school mates. I completely shared your pessimism and v nearly didn't put in the applications as I couldn't face the rejection.

Anyway, he was offered two of the three and although he's v strong in one subject, he is also v careless.

I'd add that he developed a lot during the process. He was definitely average bright in y5 and then came on a long way.

But if you're in crouch end, are you not considering Highgate woods? The reason we only did three, pretty selective, schools is that we weren't totally sold on private in the first place.

I would not say MTS is a backup for the above mentioned academic schools - I'd say it's on a par more or less with UCS etc academically but with fewer applying so perhaps more statistical chance. I'd say MTS is viewed more as a backup for Harrow due to its location?? I may not be the best person to ask though.

Belmont MH is definitely a backup for the academic ones above. You're lucky they've abolished Saturday lessons! Brilliant campus and sports.

So what's your latest list? Aldenham & NBH as backups, Belmont in the middle and Forest & MTS for preference?

Highgate has about 80-90 places for year 7 entry, City around 50-52.

City, UCS and Highgate-chances are that if you are offered a place at one of them you'll be offered a place at all of them.

City has no Rugby. If your Ds loves Rugby, I think this is another reason to cross it off your list.

Good luck Chicagogo.

The "normally" bright non gifted kids don't appear to exist in London Preps ;-) There are many (too many) kids in London with very pushy parents with a lot of money who will do whatever it takes, and have been planning from conception. (Apparently you have to conceive at the right time of year to make sure DC will be a September / October / November birthday so eldest in year!...... My jaw dropped when I heard that!!)

Merchant Taylor's and Aldenham are leagues apart academically. Really a very long way. Id say if you're even thinking about the other schools of the Highgate/ merchant Taylor's sort of calibre as a half realistic prospect then you're not an Aldenham person!

Mill Hill would be a better school for academics than Aldenham.

If you think Highgate / city, UCS are waaaay out of your league I'd say Merchant Taylor's would be tough too. I could be wrong, but I think they want 65% at Commin Entrance (8 subjects) which I'd say is a high B, but within a fairly demanding curriculum. Do check on entry requirements though, in case I'm wrong.

If DC is pretty normal think Mill Hill sounds like an excellent choice with Aldenham as a backup if something goes wrong?

Thnkgoditsover

Assuming you're right on the numbers then I'd totally agree.

I'd argue that City is easier to get into than either UCS or Highgate by dint of numbers - they've got so many more spaces to offer.

Having said that I know people who've been offered places at one but not the other two in each of them (but more who've been offered all three or nothing). I don't think any of them can be used as 'back-ups'. UCS def harder than St. Albans - there's only 20 something places at 11.

Hi, regarding the schools you've mentioned:

City - probably the third most sought after school in London after Westminster & St Pauls. Very tough entry. If Belmont MH is 'more at DC's level' I'd not even bother with City.

Habadashers - roughly as hard to get into at City, especially in the last couple of years. Very pressured. Amazing campus!

St Albans - nearly as hard as Habs. Not renowned for good pastoral care, so I have been told. A lot of people apple to it along with Habs.

Forest, Bancrofts, St Edwards - I dont know much about these. Not as famous as any of the above. Forest appears more academic than Belmont though, going by league tables.

Highgate - about as difficult as St Albans to get in to, I believe. Stunning school!

University College School - slightly easier than Highgate to get into. All boys. Great facilities. Another really amazing school you should consider.

Belmont Mill Hill - they select pupils from just above average upwards. Best facilities and grounds that far in to London. Would certainly be a great choice for a sporty boy. Lovely school! Becoming very popular.

North Bridge House - i imagine entry is a bit like Mill Hill?? Not too sure what academics are like, but an awful lot of parents were very unhappy with the school a couple of years ago due to management issues. Plenty of Mumsnet threads on this topic!

Aldenham - lowest academic results of any of these schools, but an absolutely lovely place to go. Great campus and pastoral care apparently cannot be faulted. I have never heard a bad word about the school.

Hope that helps!

Go here: www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/index.php

You will find old threads with lots of gossip and details. Just remember that people often shorten Merchant Taylor's to MTS, so you might have to search on that.

Chicagogirl you seem new to all this . So was I. I found the 11+ Forum very useful for picking up opinions, gossip and tips, beyond what I could get at my children's school gates. They are a little crazy over there, but you might find a skim through some of the boards focussing on your geographic area helpful.

My own DD took 4 exams. This was a lot for kids in our area. The children in DD's class took 2 or 3. My understanding is that this would be as nothing for DC in west London who are taking 7 or more routinely. (I am going on hearsay here.)

Interestingly, the two DC who only took 2 exams, got no offers. The fact that Forest is turning DC down now who would have certainly had offers 5 years ago means a lot of families in my area are now sitting St Edmunds as a backup. Or out and out preferring it, if they want a less competitive school experience overall. Or they may have large families and want to choose a school where they feel certain all their DC will be accepted.

Surely you should do this like US college applications: 1 stretch school, 1 safety school, and then about three likely schools.