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Original poster

Henrietta Barnett or St Mary Magdalene Academy

29 replies

Magnificentkitteh · 21/10/2025 11:54

Apologies, I already have a thread about choosing between Latymer or Henrietta Barnett and I think that we will put HB ahead of Latymer for mainly logistical reasons, but DD also has been offered a governors' place at StMMA and part of me is wondering whether it would be mad to put that as top choice, given it's slightly nearer and maybe a more "normal" school experience with friends to travel in with and living closer by. But most of me feels like HB must be so competitive for a reason and it would be silly to turn down such an opportunity without a compelling reason (it's a bit of a trek but nothing compared to what some people are considering & it is effectively one bus and a 15-20 min walk compared to a train 2 stops for StMMA ). Any thoughts would be welcome. DD seems to like both schools and is looking for guidance.

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Original poster
Magnificentkitteh · 22/10/2025 08:06

Thank you. Latymer isn't out of the running and indeed she may end up there even if I put HB as first choice as we won't know her final ranking until march. I've done some digging around the pushiness question though and heard plenty of anecdotes to counteract it. I think the girls may put pressure on themselves though and that may be catching which is a bit of a concern, but then DD may thrive in that environment rather than one where she is the outlier. I think ultimately she will have final say and she's leaning towards HB rather than Latymer but she isn't entirely wedded to one option.

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Cageauxfolles · 22/10/2025 07:49

Not a bad problem to have :) They are all good schools and she’s clearly a bright girl so will have good academic outcomes if she works, which I sure she will do. So it really is a choice about vibes and what makes her happy.

We went private in the end but did look at all the schools and have friends with children at 2 of them. I personally didn’t like Henrietta Barnett as it just felt pushy and pressurised. That may suit some children but not really a sell to us. I doubt the 15-20 minute walk would be a problem as children often meet and walk together.

St Mary Mags has the governor stream but that is a very small number and it has a much more mixed intake overall. It is massive - more children to find your tribe amongst but also more of the issues you find in a large comprehensive.

Of your 3 Latymer would have been our choice as academically robust but the children seem more rounded than HB and, I think, a stronger focus on pastoral. I personally prefer co-education. Most children travel to get there so again unlikely she’d be travelling alone if that’s the concern.

wisteriawhite · 21/10/2025 15:21

St Mary Mags is a good school, but HB is really in a different league in terms of amazing results and a very full-on work ethic.

If your daughter is highly academic and is likely to get on well in an all-girls environment, I would go for HB.

Original poster
Magnificentkitteh · 21/10/2025 11:59

PS on the other hand DD is quite nerdy and occasionally gets picked on at primary, though she has a strong friendship group currently- perhaps she'd be more likely to find her crowd at HB? Wish I had a crystal ball. No siblings to consider as she is the youngest

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