This is highly opinionated, but it's a no brainer if you actually have that choice.
HW is massively better than it used to be, so it doesn't feel good to knock it as such a lot of work's been done to sort out some of it's worst issues, and it is considerably safer than it used to be, but it isn't sought after by those looking for good education and not too much trouble, for reasons.
If in reality HW is where you're headed, as Fortismere is generally over subscribed, take a look at APS.
Similar intake to HW, but massively different school, attitudes, atmosphere, and results. Tries hard to do what it says on the tin, unlike HW who are allegedly really good at spin and box ticking, but not delivering.
Fortismere isn't perfect, no school is, and has a majority MC intake, but generally there's a good chance of the majority of children who attend, getting a pretty decent education without too many dramas or misery en route.
Most who get into serious grief do so in their own time and not too much comes into school.
Crowd control isn't known to be a particular issue.
An average child who follows what's asked of them can reasonably expect to get decent exams and go on to do well.
Most of the above can't be said about HW, though they talk a good and different talk, in comparison to the daily issues children report.
But Fortismere is a very MC school, who moved where the gate is to exclude lots of kids from social housing, out of their catchment area, and don't be a child with serious physical disabilities. (though HW is worse on that score.)
If you're someone with Muswell Hill friends and fit that social scene, the chances are you and yours will be happy enough and supported there, and your child will look back happily enough.