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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Henrietta Barnett, Latymer or Dame Alice Owens

81 replies

choosingtherightschool · 27/09/2021 11:31

We are currently struggling to decide which one is the best for DD.

DD is in a very fortunate position to have passed round 1 of HBS (and we live within 3 miles), and very good chance of getting through to both DAO and Latymer. Music is a massive part of her life, she plays mutli instruments and has already achievement very good grades in them. She also loves sports, enjoys various types, such as running, football, basketball, tennis, table tennis. She’s very competitive and loves challenges.
She is in a mixed primary school, where she gets on with boys and girls equally well. She is not fussy at all and doesn’t mind go to either girl or mix school.
None of these schools are very close to us, all approx. 40-50mins by bus, but DD feels more independent to travel by bus.
We also have a DS who is in year 4 and I always wondered if its better to send them to same school for the closer relationship and easier life, DAO’s sibling rule is obviously very attractive, but we have to choose what’s best for DD for now.
We want to choose an academic school that also provides all round education, and outstanding in music/performing art/sport, most importantly where she will be happy for the next 7 years.
It’s very difficult at the moment that we can’t visit all of these schools properly apart from DAO offers open days. Anyone has recent experience of these schools please kindly provide us with some insight!
Thank you in advance!

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eidajbaby · 08/07/2025 16:50

Hi @choosingtherightschool would you mind updating on your experience at HBS. Are you happy with your decision?

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 28/09/2022 04:53

May I kindly request you do not use this thread for discussing exam questions!?

I honestly don’t understand why people need to try their hardest to find out what exactly happened in previous exams, it that really fair? The children should have been prepared with all types of questions anyways. The paper will change each year, there really is pointless to hope the exact same will happen and give children the false hope or mis guidance.

This thread is for helping parents deciding on the best suited school for their child. Thanks for your understanding.

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MarchingFrogs · 28/09/2022 01:10

I’m not aware of the negative marking, so really don’t want to misguide you.

@choosingtherightschool this is what was posted recently on the elevenplusexams site re the 2022 entry HBS maths exam:

They were given the standard format Maths paper first then, after the first time period, that was taken away and they were given a multiple choice paper and were told to think very carefully before marking an answer as if it was wrong a mark would be deducted from their total score.

Why not ask the girls in current Y7? They can tell you all about it.

The poster (a tutor, apparently) also reports that the governors have denied that this happenedConfused

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 27/09/2022 14:17

It wasn’t multiple choice when my DD took it, unless they changed it this year? I’m not aware of the negative marking, so really don’t want to misguide you.

not sure about timing with English either, but it will be just like all other mocks she would have done, my DD said there weren’t many questions for comprehension, but again they could have changed it this year, no one can predict anything.

Sorry couldn’t be anymore helpful.

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Lolakath19 · 27/09/2022 14:03

@choosingtherightschool I understand that they have now put negative marking for maths does that mean it is a multiple choice type exams?

Is it like maths primary challenge type of questions? or normal paper?

Is it 30 min comprehension and 30min writing for english or is the writing part of the comprehension for example add a paragraph to the text etc

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 27/09/2022 13:58

Hi
2nd round is standard comprehension, creative writing and Maths, I’m sure you already know, don’t think last year’s paper would be much help for this time round.
Best of luck to your DD!

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Lolakath19 · 27/09/2022 12:15

@choosingtherightschool
Hello, I was just wondering if you could let me know what the round 2 entails at HBS?

Thanks a lot

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 04/06/2022 07:14

thank you @Farjanaamam2 I have to admit that DD has never been tutored, I’m not a believer in tutoring at all, and DD absolutely hates the idea that she needs to be tutored by someone else. So I went through the revision materials with her around Easter time in year 5, she had around 5 months doing some practice papers preparing for the 11+, I felt that no one knows my child better than myself, so it made sense to do it ourselves.

If the child is naturally bright, I don’t feel you need to start any preparation before year5, as some of exam topics will only be taught in year 6, so it will be harder for a much younger child to grasp easily, but this is only my personal opinion and it worked well for my DD. But each child is different, I hope there will be others parents can pass on their experiences.

If you do decide to tutor yourself, do let me know if you need any other help. Best wishes!

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Farjanaamam2 · 04/06/2022 04:55

Hi first of all congrats for your daughter bright result. It’s off topic but May I please know where did you tutor your dd? I m mother of child in year 4. Struggling to find a reliable tutor or tuition,
thanks

RibbedTwist · 30/05/2022 09:10

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 21/04/2022 21:29

@Superness I think it is very important to listen to the child, if we only had one choice we wouldn’t mind go to any of these schools, Latymer is such a brilliant school, the location doesn’t put us off, but DD just prefers HBS, and commute seems work out easier for us too, we are definitely considering Latymer for DS, he will be taking exams next year, so please do update us further. All the best!

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Superness · 21/04/2022 18:37

Thanks for the update and glad that you have decided on a school that best suits your daughter. You had some great schools to choose from and it sounds like your dd will be very happy at HBS. I know that Latymer’s location can be quite off putting. I was quite unimpressed on the first visit but warmed to it a bit on the second. I agree it is quite boy heavy although the split for the first 192 offers this year was 100 boys and 92 girls. I’m still in two minds about choosing Latymer over our local outstanding comp but that is what dd wanted and if it doesn’t work out, we will go on the wait list for it. I will also update in due course on Latymer. Good luck 🤞

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 21/04/2022 14:26

Hi everyone,
I thought it is only fair that I update everyone on our final decision.
I thought we already had decided last year but after a couple of visits to Latymer, we had a second thought, there’s nothing wrong with the school itself, but I did find it a bit boy heavy, it seems to be the trend in most of the year groups.
Furthermore I realised that we might have had disregarded HBS too quickly as we never had chance to visit it. DD actually wanted to go to HBS in the first place, but she went with Latymer as she was trying to be considerate for her little brother, so they can go to the same school. But after a few discussions and few more months of rethinking, we have finally set our heart on HBS.
I agree it might be a hothouse to many, and definitely doesn’t suit every girl, but DD absolutely loves learning, she likes the idea that there will be less distractions in the class, and she can feel freely and confidently to learn any traditionally boy heavy subjects, and can discuss anything in the class. On top of that I really like the new headteacher at HBS, I remember she was the only headteacher standing by the gate at the entrance exam day to tell every girl walking pass her a good luck, such a lovely touch, and I find a couple of her talks very inspiring!
Having heard before that the admin at HBS were not very welcoming, but we were given a private tour by the admission lady herself, just to make sure we had visited the school before making the decision, I thought it was very accommodating and caring.
I will definitely be writing more updates here later on once we have the full experience of HBS, just to help some of the other parents who are struggling with school decisions. Hope all the DC go to a school that’s best suited to them.

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Moominmammacat · 01/04/2022 09:55

estragon ..."I would say that the current head at DAO seems hellbent on running a theatre of the absurd." ... what do you mean?

estragon · 31/03/2022 23:54

I would say that the current head at DAO seems hellbent on running a theatre of the absurd.

The other thing is that the leadership are completely uninspiring (watch some of their recorded talks to see what I mean)

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 31/10/2021 21:20

@Superness thank you and well done to you and DD too. We can finally relax after the intense few months. We will be in touch when nearer the timeSmile

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Superness · 31/10/2021 15:39

@choosingtherightschool congratulations on making your decision! We have also decided on Latymer for our DD and the form is finally in! I’m sure my DD would love the opportunity to meet up with other children who will be going to the school.

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 31/10/2021 12:31

Thanks all for helping us getting a better understanding of each of these school.

So we have finally come to the decision. It’s definitely not a easy one, but DD has chosen to go to Latymer. Besides a couple of her friends will be going, she likes the Latin and media studies they have on offer. She also wants to be in the same school as her little brother, we know that DS will not get a sibling place like DAO, but DS is even more competitive, we know he will not happily take the sibling place. So it’s a good challenge for him to go through the same 11+ process too.

Anyone decided on Latymer please get in touch so we can get the kids to meet and socialise at some point!

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Schoolchoices123 · 28/10/2021 08:00

@ChildOfFriday thank you, I think we may put dao first but with the understanding that DS is likely to end up Latymer and that will be fine Smile

Schoolchoices123 · 28/10/2021 07:57

It’s great to hear about that sports are strong at Latymer too. I think we might actually try the bus route to the school today, just to get an idea of it.
Three days to go, best of luck to everyone still deciding!

Stokey · 27/10/2021 22:41

@choosingtherightschool yes there are, in my daughter's form anyway... There are 19 boys to 13 girls. I think that is replicated more or less throughout the year. She doesn't seem bothered by it although is basically friends with the girls.

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 27/10/2021 21:40

@Superness that’s great your DD is keen. I think art and sports are all fantastic at Latymer, there’s something for everyone.

@Stokey would you say there are more boys than girls at Latymer? I heard others saying so.

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Superness · 27/10/2021 21:12

@choosingtherightschool my dd wants to go to Latymer which makes the decision easier. Academically, I think she will do well at either of our school choices. She is not into music either, does a bit of drama but is not a budding thespian and likes art. She plays a bit of sport. I don’t think you have to be good at music or drama to fit in at Latymer.

Stokey · 27/10/2021 20:56

@Schoolchoices123 they're quite keen on sport at Latymer and have an active football team. I really wouldn't worry about the walk - although it's 15 minutes, there are so many kids going up and down that they are never alone.

The school does recommend a Nokia but loads of the kids have smart phones & there are pretty active What's App groups even in Y7. Think my daughters' friends are split about 60:40 with smart phones and basic ones.

Original poster
choosingtherightschool · 27/10/2021 20:50

@Schoolchoices123 that’s a shame QEB don’t have a football team?! It’s so close to you! I heard bus 34 is full of Latymer kids and they walk in large groups to school so shouldn’t be too much of a problem. And school advise everyone to get a basic Nokia phone to eliminate any mugging problem, did work for friend’s DC.

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