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Original poster

St Michaels Girls (Finchley) v.s. Newstead Wood (Orpington) Or Latymer Secondary in Edmonton

36 replies

lovestravel · 26/10/2023 16:46

Hi all, i would very much appreciate your thoughts and guidance on choosing the right school for my daughter. She has a high rank at St. Michael's Girls Catholic Grammar school in Finchley, a 436 rank at Latymer coed school in Edmonton and a descent score at Newstead Woods Girls Grammar school in Orpington (Bromley). We will need to move closer to the school, are willing to do that but would be helpful if you have gone through a similar decision process and made a choice. Thank you.

OP posts:
XelaM · 27/10/2023 00:49

Latymer!!!! No brainer. It's a great school (know many Latymer kids and parents) and it's a nice school atmosphere. The other two schools I have heard horror stories about girls with eating disorders and a super pushy environment .

kkneat · 27/10/2023 00:44

St Michael’s is a very stressful environment with poor pastoral care. I have had 2 nieces attend there recently. Of course it gets good results as it’s a grammar school. There is a high number of girls with eating disorders and self-harm. My DS has just finished at Latymer, we are a bus ride away as are most who attend there. He enjoyed his time there got fab results still felt pressure though but expect all grammars you feel some pressure. He didn’t need pastoral support really but I understand the provision there is good

myhusbandwantsadog · 27/10/2023 00:29

I went to st Michael's but over 20 years ago. There was a bit of sport but not much as girls are more academic. I don't think you could do PE gcse. There aren't that many sport facilities unless they go to FCH or something (used to share a sixth form, not sure if that's still the case).
RE is a big deal. It's not just RE lessons. Our sex ed was minimal and we learnt that condoms are sinful and the rhythm method is how you might avoid pregnancy, obviously only within marriage. Also 'pros and cons' on major issues like abortion where you learn to be pro life. If that matters to you, I would definitely ask more about it.
Also I would ask about pastoral care.
Academically it was very good and overall I had a good experience. You're surrounded by smart motivated people which pushes you to do your best and not mess around.

Original poster
lovestravel · 27/10/2023 00:21

We are not in the catchment of any specific grammar so had to try and look at options. We are also flexible and can move so wanted to see how she does at different test. It wasn't an issue doing the test as her current school is supportive and many in her class took the test so they had company. It didn't feel like she was the only one doing it. To be honest open days are good but it's only few hours. I didn't go to the Latymer open day. Liked St. Michael's. The headmaster was not dynamic but the children and teachers took pride in their school and seemed happy. They do stress that due to faith and their values, it might not be a school for all which is fair. I like their honesty. Newstead Wood is good but involves us moving too or deal with an hour long commute.

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Original poster
lovestravel · 27/10/2023 00:13

I get what you are saying. The school itself is good though with happy children and good results.

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Original poster
lovestravel · 27/10/2023 00:11

Thank you, this is very helpful. Just learning about differences between single sex and coed but helps to know that it's a diverse environment in Latymer which is great. Yes you are right. We might get on waitlist at Latymer. We need to be prepared that it's a risk, she might not get and would need to move before January which means a disruption to our lives and hers at year 6. I am not sure if its worth all that given St Michael's has good results and we can wait until August next year to move which gives us more time. In addition we can choose an area ( Finchley or neighbouring area) that will mean walking distance or a short bus ride away. Less stress! Do you have friends or parents who can give a view on St Michael's? My daughter is very sporty but also is reasonably academic and loves reading. Is structured, independent, follows rules but loves playing a sport to ensure her day is fun & active too. Will St Michael's suit her? Are we making the right decision?

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mugboat · 26/10/2023 23:33

I'm not sure why you'd get your child to travel to all of these different areas to sit tests if you didn't know about the schools. Did you go to any open days? what does your child think about it?

Original poster
lovestravel · 26/10/2023 22:43

Thank you so much for those questions. Agree,the environments will be different. Single sex, faith school (relatively small) - St Michael's v.s co-education school- Latymer. Newstead Wood is a girls school too but in Orpington. I would like my child to preferably be at walking distance. Though many children travel at secondary, I think not travelling a lot if one has a choice is better. Maybe moving to Finchley or neighbouring area (for St Michael's) and having her walk will be a better long term decision. It will be a big change as we move from South East bit eventually a decision that works for the full family as later start times and less stress involved with child travelling.

OP posts:
GloomySkies · 26/10/2023 20:30

There's no way I'd send a child of mine to school in Edmonton if I had another choice.

Stokey · 26/10/2023 20:15

I would think that should be high enough to get into Latymer but maybe not straight away.

You need to move by start of January if you're out of catchment though.

I have a child at Latymer. It's a great school and they're happy there, not too pushy, quite diverse in terms of religion and ethnicity, and of course get good results - as should all the schools on your list as they've pre-selected. Disadvantages would be having a friendship group spread across north and east London, and a long commute, although she quite enjoys the social aspect. Worth noting Latymer is reasonably boy- heavy, roughly 2 thirds to a third. I'm not sure whether this has much impact in subjects etc as my DD is more arts inclined than Stem.

Busgirl29 · 26/10/2023 17:01

There won't be many parents who can directly compare them as they're on opposite sides of London. I know the north London ones through friends and family but I don't know anything about Newstead Wood

Firstly, how likely are you to get into each school with the ranking you've been given? There no point uprooting the family if you then don't get offered a place.

St Michael's (single sex girls Catholic, relatively small) is quite a different environment to Latymer (large, co-ed non denominational). What does your gut say about each one and how do you think your daughter will fit into that environment?

Which is more convenient for travel? Does either school have anything special about it that you particularly like (eg choice of languages or sports etc).

How will moving to a new area (if you decide to do that) affect your family life? Positively or negatively?