Latymer or Henrietta Barnett

Old thread so presumably @Magnificentkitteh has chosen and their DC has started.

FWIW my DD never got mugged at Latymer and I think only a couple in her year had their phones nicked. I would imagine most London schools have similar stats.

She has just left to go to SMMA for 6th form though as she wanted to be in a nicer part of town with a more convenient journey. It seems like a great school so far.

All of this.

Latymer is a fantastic school and I have not heard of anyone being unhappy with it. I would always choose mixed over single sex.

Just my opinion here but I personally do not like schools that are single sex or faith based. Single sex schools in particular offer less diversity and therefore in discussion for example, you'd have more skewed views. Girls won't learn to interact with boys on a day-to-day basis. The real world, university, and the modern workplace are mixed. All girls schools delay the daily experience of collaborating, negotiating and communicating with the opposite sex.

I personally would choose Latymer over HBS. Yes, Latymer is in Edmonton where everyone gets mugged but I lived in Edmonton (and went to Latymer) and I never was.

I know everyone has their own opinion and I respect that. This is just mine.

Actually, HBS isn't particularly known for strong emotional intelligence. It is, however, known for requiring good reasoning ability. I doubt we'll run across many children with your attitude towards facts there. Ta-ta.

I do know people who moved for HBS to be close to the school who had eg Non Such or Newstead offers pretty much guaranteed, it does happen. Depends on the family and sometimes what the child wants and often if they already know others at the school. There are also people paying 60k a year for private school or commuting very far for private school even if they get a top grammar school. Each to their own. People need to decide themselves what is best for their families.
On the ethnicity front I have the folllowing to say: Both India and China are the most populous of nations and we often end up with some of their very talented people here and their offspring. Add in the strong work ethic, it is really not something that needs to put anyone off. Most of these kids are gifted, and not just academically.

I'm just highlighting to other readers on this thread that you're talking BS. Hope that helps.

It's your own responsibility to fact check what you read online. I hope that helps.

HBS isn't always top

That's what you said. Prove it.

Huh? I didn't say they don't. You can look this up yourself? I'm not google?

Which rankings are you talking about? When was the last time that HBS didn't have the highest GSCE and A Level results of girls state schools? Or, for that matter, any state schools around London that accept girls?

I don't think many people move if they have a top 20 grammar on their doorstep tbh! The difference would be so small that the stress of moving would most likely offset any marginal gains you'd make. Plus the top 20 rankings change a lot. HBS isn't always top etc.

I know it sounds crazy and that is why we have not made the decision but it is a well known fact that people do move for HBS ( I will only be moving from Zone 3 anyways as we already live in greater London).
It's just that I am hoping to connect to people who declined HBS despite getting an offer for anything other than private school.

@Crazymomma101 You indeed are crazy momma 101 if you'd move away from a top 20 grammar for HBS! That's ludicrous.

Very useful thread! Might sound a bit off topic but does anyone feel that HBS offers more of the non-academic development (confidence, public speaking, creativity) than other grammars?

What I am trying to ask is why is HBS the best school? Is it onky tge grades? That part I understand that if you select the top performing to join school, they will perform well anyways (and anywhere).

We are in the dilemma of choosing between a local grammar which is in top 20's v/s HBS (for which we will eventually move once/if admission confirmed). It is just that knot in the throat thinking our daughter was good enough to get in and we as guardians denied her that privilege!!(no heavy tutoring at all, just taught by dad at home).

Such a hard hard decision, any words of wisdome welcome.

Sounds like you are sorted than. 3 great options. You won't be disappointed in any of them. St M is great for high achievers.

We aren’t either, if that helps. I think that a friendly, well behaved and motivated cohort is more important than people’s ethnicity.

Yes, I thought she was quite good on the thread. And honestly don’t know why everyone was being so rude to her! She was so good about it though.
There are some threads on Reddit as well. And on student room. Happy for you to message me as well - since I have thought about it a lot!

Based on what I’ve heard about both schools, I’d go with Latymer. I didn’t love that the boys-to-girls ratio is so uneven, but apart from that, it feels like a much more balanced and diverse school overall.

HBS, on the other hand, seems quite heavily represented by one ethnicity (which happens to be mine too), but I genuinely believe that diversity is healthy and enriching for everyone. I also spoke to a few parents whose daughters attend HBS, and they came across as extremely competitive. I don’t think we could ever be that competitive as a family, and neither could my very capable daughter. Ofcourse there will be lovely non-competitive parents there as well.

I’m sure all the girls there are wonderful, but with most of them travelling over an hour each way and such a strong focus on academics at home, I worried that our daughter wouldn’t get much of a social life. I would also recommend googling hbs past experiences, some hbs girls have shared quite candid and balanced reflections.

All the best @Magnificentkitteh , I know it’s a tough decision. I know you from another thread (my name changed) and wish nothing but the best for your daughter ❤️.

Yeah I think SMMA really wouldn't be a good swap for the other two even with the shorter journey.

If she hates the journey, she can always move for sixth form. I know lots of kids who've done that from Dame Alice, QEB etc. Sixth form is such a different kettle of fish.