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Original poster

City vs Forest vs Belmont?

38 replies

chicagogirl · 17/10/2015 12:46

We are in the process of applying for City Boys, Belmont/Mill Hill and Forest at 11+. The number applying for the small number of spaces is just absurd and only North Bridge house seems to be a sure thing. I know everyone takes more than one but I'm trying to ascertain how difficult it is to get into Belmont & Forest as my son really likes both. City extremely selective as far as I can see! Help!

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Original poster
chicagogirl · 20/10/2015 00:21

Yes Highate amazing too but trying to keep the number of exams low. I'm already at 4 or 5! I don't want to torture the poor boy but my friends son is taking 8 exams as she says one must carpet bomb the schools to ensure a spot somewhere! Is this reasonable!

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squeaver · 19/10/2015 23:29

If you're trying for City, why aren't you trying for Highgate? That's the most local for you and has all the sporty stuff.

HeighHoghItsBacktoWorkIGo · 19/10/2015 23:25

I don't know St Albans. I believe it would be more selective than St Edmunds, but less selective than Habs Boys.

Original poster
chicagogirl · 19/10/2015 22:49

As I was looking at St Edmunds, St Alban's popped up too. Do you know anything about St Alban's? Is it very selective?

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Original poster
chicagogirl · 17/10/2015 23:03

I'm in Crouch End and no I hadn't heard of it but will look right now! Great tip! All he wants is rugby and a swimming pool!

Sending in all the applications this week, so very stressful but it will be over soon I keep telling myself.

I just subscribed to the online version of the good school guide and it chimes with everything you have said- brilliant!

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HeighHoghItsBacktoWorkIGo · 17/10/2015 20:45

Bancrofts is more academic than Forest. It's much more difficult to get into. It has a reputation for pushing the kids harder academically than Forest, too.

I don't know where you live, but if you need something academically gentler (though still selective) have you considered St Edmunds in Hertfordshire? They have a lot of private school buses dipping down into North London. It's a Catholic school, but many non-Catholics send their children there. Beautiful grounds, the boys do play Rugby and a reputation for solid pastoral care.

www.stedmundscollege.org

Original poster
chicagogirl · 17/10/2015 19:24

In terms of sure bets- is North Bridge House the only option? Someone mentioned Aldenham to me but I don't know much about it.

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Original poster
chicagogirl · 17/10/2015 19:19

You are a wealth of info! I had a feeling football ruled at Forest. My son also a very keen swimmer and cricketeer and they all have pools which is great. Honestly, City is a stretch for him so I'm focusing on Belmont & Forest. Is Forest equally academic to Bancrofts? I haven't been there but my friend's husband works there and really likes it.

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HeighHoghItsBacktoWorkIGo · 17/10/2015 17:24

I know Forest is a big football school, I've heard that they run 7 different teams per year group! I don't know if that's true. I know local boys who had been into Rugby who switched to football once at Forest because it is such a focus there for the boys.

Forest also has a lot of money for scholarships. If he is good enough to get a place at City, you may find yourself deciding between a place at City and a scholarship at Forest.

Original poster
chicagogirl · 17/10/2015 16:41

And thanks so much! Yes I've been to all the open days twice now and have practice papers which we are working through. They are tough. I bet most grown ups couldn't pass the 11+ maths!

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Original poster
chicagogirl · 17/10/2015 16:39

Yes Belmont & Forest both more my son's level academically- he will end year 6 level 5 definitely not level 6 which I assume is the City boys requirement. He is also very sporty so both good there too. Belmont has slight advantage as he loves rugby and Forest doesn't have rugby. We have a very strong alumni connection with City-3 members of my husband's family went there- so we are rolling the dice for that reason. I don't know if alumni counts for anything though???
Forest seems more academic than Belmont. Is that the general consensus? Just hoping to have a choice. I'm not normally a super anxious type but this process is gonna kill me!

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Swimmingwithsharks · 17/10/2015 15:11

Well you have to sit entrance exams for all of them so surely it would just depend on how academic your son is. Yes Northbridge and Belmont are normally seen as the easier of the schools to get in to. It seems like your son loves the beautiful grounds of Belmont and Forest. City is definately the most academic and urban of them. I think all the schools are selective, just depends on what level the bar is set and whether your son can get over it. Would his current school give you advice as to what schools would be a good bet for him? They usually advise on at least 3, the fall back, the sure bet and the aspirational.

HeighHoghItsBacktoWorkIGo · 17/10/2015 15:05

Forest is a big school and takes a lot of children. It is much easier to gain a place at Forest than at City. In our area, Forest used to be a "sure bet." That is no longer the case. It's important to prepare and be sure to go to an open day, where they will provide you with a sample test, at least at Forest they will, I don't know about City or Belmont.