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Original poster

Mill Hill School (Academic)

86 replies

Deadline99 · 14/03/2018 09:04

Anybody knows what's going on in Mill Hill School with the new head? There are new teachers with little or no teaching experience.

OP posts:
Amaaboutthis · 17/09/2018 21:18

No not grammars. Non selective. Well as non selective as any sixth form can be

FanDabbyFloozy · 17/09/2018 21:41

Apologies, I thought you were talking about GCSEs.

Original poster
Deadline99 · 12/10/2018 15:56

Anybody knows when the governors will appoint a new head (Mill Hill School)?

OP posts:
FanDabbyFloozy · 13/10/2018 16:36

Not announced yet. Getting a new head can take 2-3 terms normally, so this is not surprising.

Original poster
Deadline99 · 13/10/2018 17:36

Thank you FraDalbyFlozzy

OP posts:
Original poster
Deadline99 · 20/10/2018 12:46

The academic head has a new role. Interesting move by school.

OP posts:
Pearshape50 · 10/01/2019 14:37

Hi parents. I am new to mumsnet. Not sure whether to send my DS to NBH Hampstead or Belmont/Mill Hill. I had thought Belmont were the more desirable but inevitably that would take him onto Mill Hill and it seems from these posts that there are some leadership issues there. I really liked the head at NBH and the whole atmosphere of the school but of course A Levels would have to be taken at Canonbury or elsewhere. My son is bright but state school educated up to now and although he has tutoring and is achieving well, it is unlikely he has performed at the level of some prepped kids. It may be he doesn't get into Belmont....I know a 3 kids who didn't get in last year. Belmont seems to have become very competitive. But Mill Hill still seems to be playing catch-up. Not sure if I'll be selling my DS short if we go with NBH should we get an offer from Belmont. NBH seem to be aiming at higher academic standards, or at least trying to get the individual to perform at the very best of their ability. Will Mill Hill aim for this? I found the open day I attended a bit "iffy" and by contrast the NBH open day was passionate and the kids who showed us around were very friendly and said they were very happy. Mill Hill and Belmont are in beautiful grounds, very enviable. But I hear a dodgy music video was filmed there recently. Any truth to that? Any advice would be welcome. Tx.

kong852 · 02/02/2019 12:06

With a New Head now appointed do you think things will change at Mill Hill - the is a vibe of poor classroom behaviour from kids and teachers not equipped to discipline positively. A big reliance on sanctions and detentions even weekend detentions - what’s the view on the school now?

purelaxation · 04/02/2019 21:39

Am also keen to hear on how Mill Hill is working out for their daughters. I understand that the boy girl ratio is 60:40. We're due to decide for my DS pending 11+ results..any insights appreciated. She is average ability, would benefit from smaller classes and quite sporty. The fees are scary but more palatable if people feel it is worth the money and an amazing experience with strong academic support for their children.

anotheranxiousmum · 19/06/2019 13:54

hi all, wanted to open up this thread again.

Does anyone have hope that Mill Hill (particularly senior school) will ever improve?

Anyone here or know of someone with their kids in the high school and what they think?

I'm a bit uneasy about the change of heads and teachers, I know there's a number of new teachers, a lot of brand new teachers with not much experience. Although i appreciate everyone has to start somewhere.

TodayAnd · 17/08/2019 23:58

A level results at A*/A
2017: 43%
2018: 39%
2019: 35%
Improvement?

Mike091119 · 11/11/2019 13:53

I was just wondering if other parents are in a similar position as myself when we applied for a place in 6 th form for my son at Mill Hill School
He was given an unconditional place following interview provided he satisfied them with his GCSE results when came out.
We payed £2000 deposit and signed the acceptance agreement thinking the deposit was the amount reserved for a place. It was mentioned to give 1 Terms Place If we were to cancel but I thought this related to students already at the school.
As it happened when his results came out he did well and decided to reapply to another school which he got accepted
Now Mill Hill want a whole Terms fees which seems unfair. They did say they would try to fill his place but said later 10 other places became available.
I understand that we changed our minds at a late stage but although he had a place reserved this was only based once his results came out.
Are there any other parents in the same position? ?

dietcokemum · 12/11/2019 11:38

It'll be clear in the terms and conditions that you signed when you sent the deposit - you need to look at them.

Humpdayruminations · 12/11/2019 23:08

You owe the fees. It's in the contract.

Answerthequestion · 13/11/2019 14:12

Pretty standard, you should have read the contract. I’m afraid you owe them the money

TodayAnd · 24/11/2019 08:56

The pastoral care of the school is excellent but the academic side is not that good. May be the school should consider hiring a new and better academic Deputy Head.

PuffinDodger · 27/11/2019 13:06

Mike091119 I understand that in cases like this the courts rule in favour of the school, so you'll need to pay

Mike091119 · 27/11/2019 13:36

Thank you all for your advise

TodayAnd · 21/12/2019 12:50

The results are not improving and the academic deputy head is leaving. Coincidence?

Onthespot2018 · 07/02/2020 09:17

Hi there, new to MN

Really keen to find out more about MH and if the new Head has been more effective? It looks to offer so much generally as a London day school.

Comments on here are rather underwhelming.

Results in decline for a few years now, does anyone know why? They have stopped CE at 13+ I believe, but that is recent?

And just read Academic Deputy leaving?

Be great to hear from any MH parents or locals who might know more.

TodayAnd · 07/02/2020 13:29

Not sure the new head is effective. She is very nice but seems more interested in the pastoral area of the school than the academic. The deputy head (academic) didn’t manage to improve the school (results speak for themselves)

waterbottle12 · 07/02/2020 15:27

It's a vicious cycle. Belmont/Mill Hill is seen as a backup at 7+ and 11+. So the brightest kids go elsewhere and there is more prestige for teachers to be elsewhere. Of those who go to Belmont at 7+ (or come through from Grimsdell), the brightest/most ambitious will leave for other schools at 11, making it a very long slow haul for results to increase.

TodayAnd · 07/02/2020 15:56

Why blaming the kids? What make you think the ones that stay are not bright and ambitious? The secret is quality teaching (and right strategies).

waterbottle12 · 07/02/2020 16:02

I'm not blaming the kids. but the brightest and the ones whose parents are ambitious for a more academic school will be tutored for the 11+, and leave, or will take another school at 7. Mill Hill's results are no better than the local comprehensives. great facilities if you are sporty though.

Onthespot2018 · 07/02/2020 16:25

Thanks TodayAnd and watterbottle12. So is the teaching not good?

What level of academics does it take at 13+, is it lesser than the children transferring from Belmont?

Despite the declining results it appears to attract and has a waitlist.
We really want co-ed and have also looked Highgate but hear the competition is fierce.

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