please help to choose prep school -Devonshire House or North Bridge House?

[mikulkin]

Hi,
My 10 year old one got a place in Devonshire House and North Bridge House school - which one to choose? We are not from UK, moved here from Norway. I liked both schools.
Devonshire House seems to be quite academic, but I didn't like the fact that they hardly have any trips during the school year like going to PGL camps or France- I strongly believe in developing independence as part of curriculum. Also a little bit worried about it being too local - would my international child fit in?
North Bridge house seems to have trips during the year and seems to be more international. Is it a strong school? Also no playground facilities - what do they do during breaks?
I am running out of time and can't make up my mind! Thanks in advance for your help!

If you aren't a pushy NW London mum then avoid Golders Hill like the plague. It's super pushy and absolutely everyone tutors for the 7+ via a well known tutor. Don't know anything about NBH but I imagine it must be more laid back.

I took DS out of GH to go to NBH and couldn't be happier. I didn't like the atmosphere in GH at all. NBH is a much happier place, people so much more down to earth. GH is very glitzy and you either fit the type or you don't. If you aren't related to anyone there, or know half the class before you arrive, expect to be on the outside - so cliquey!

I just had to have a little name change and post here. This thread, as you can see, gets revived every now and again, and every time it makes me sad because of the negative comments about The Village School. As you can see they were made some time ago and yes, the school is still here - hasn't gone under yet! Yes, some classes are still small, which has its positives and negatives, but some are full. The school is just wonderfully nurturing and genuinely a community in a way a large school like NBH, just can't be. Every girl knows every other girl and the way the big ones look after the little ones is a wonderful sight.

It being such a small school, I can't say much about my experience without outing myself, but there seem to be some reputation issues that girls don't do well there and that's just not true. I would say this is North London school madness speaking loud and clear. Girls go on to schools where they thrive. Academic girls go on to academic schools (offers for North London, City, Highgate, South Hampstead etc last year), where they are comfortably ahead in English, and girls who are less academically driven go on to schools which are equally suited to them - where their interests such as sport or drama are represented. The school give excellent advice on this and you don't go on to have a girl who is constantly struggling to keep her head above water having been pushed way beyond her true abilities for 11+. Not only that, but while they're there they have a wonderful childhood and a full and rounded education, not just one big stress about 11+, though it is North London and no parent's immune to that, but the girls can be!

Anyway, I've said my piece and if this thread surfaces yet again in 6 months at least there'll be some balance!

Hello
We are moving to North London and have to chose a school for our daughters. We heard very mixed reviews about the Village School - but when we visited it last Summer we were very impressed by the school, the teachers, its ethos, and the way the girls looked happy, active and well rounded. Why is there so much ambivalence about the Village School? Can somebody give an honest reason as to why it is so much black and white. For all the other school people tend to give some much balanced views. Pls let me know. It would be really good to understand as the Village School seemed like a very nice place.

Hello,
We're considering Northbridge house and Devonshire house school for DD at nursery. I know Northbridge has no assessment at this level but what is Devonshire's assessment like- what goes on in that playgroup of theirs? Also what do you think of the two? I've heard such mixed reviews!! How do the two prepare children for entrance tests, how do they fair academically and all in round development?

How is the communications with parents at North Bridge House and Devonshire House?

Head at NBH only interested in results. God forbid your child is in anyway off the chart or requires support. Remember this school is run and owned by a private equity company that has expanded internationally to quickly and has stuffed its UK schools with too many international students. The model is simple. Increase fees by above inflation % each year, invest as little as you can in infrastructure, safeguarding, sports and deliver a healthy dividend to your shareholders.

Hello, I'm moving this summer from the US and trying to choose a school for my kids, going to Reception & Yr 3. The posts on this thread are a few years old, so I wanted to see if anyone had updated info. We got into both Devonshire & North Bridge. ACS Hillingdon is another option. We loved ILS but it's just too pricey. any opinions would be appreciated!

DH owned by a very nice family, NBH owned by the Cognita group which has a very mixed (not to say negative) reputation. I would go with DH for sure. It's a happy school with strong academics as well.

Neither are great TBH, DH is slightly better. I have several friends who have had children at both schools and all have been moved. There are some really lovely schools though in that area....do you have any other options? I suppose either would be okay until you found a better alternative.
We used to live in the area and we only offered DH and NBH and chose to put in a state school instead, could that be an option for you? (We now live in Bucks)

ACS Hillingdon is good, especially if you are planning on going back to the US, but is less good if you're planning to stay.

Hello offered spot in NBH and DH. Everyone seems to hate NBH and prefer DH but if I look at the results NBH scores much better particularly for boys. Can someone who was at NBH tell me why they don’t like it ? And same for someone at DH . Academic is important if I pay some high fees! But as well of course the quality of teachers and atmosphere ! Thks so much for help!!

Weird because NBH accepted my son Yr3 with known learning difficulties that need so e extra support, and he scored totally average in their entrance test. We shall see how he gets on there!