Mill Hill School

[Snowdrop12]

Looking at various options for senior School for DS. He has mild dyslexia, but is bright especially at Maths, but struggles with modern languages and is in bottom stream for English. DS is currently in Prep School. Favourite schools are Merchant Taylors (if he gets in) or Mill Hill if he does not. Any information regarding these 2 schools on quality of teaching, how easy it is to get into MTS at 11 and quality of SENCO teaching greatly appreciated. Am aware both schools are very different, but find it very difficult to compare schools when one is much more academically selective than the other.

Meant to say that pastoral care also very important

How is he with sports? MH is very sporty. Also a bit rich but thick. Used to be very popular with oligarchs. Has a very active alumni community which is great for networking opportunities. People who leave there end up doing all sorts, from estate agents to Nobel prize winners. People I know who have been there said that they really enjoyed it. But definite impression that it fails to challenge clever pupils. I wouldn't be devestated if my children went there but it wouldn't be my first choice, we definitely have no intention of following family traditions in this respect.

Racecardriver, thanks for your response - very helpful as it is a minefield in North London!
DS loves football (which none of public schools seem to do) not so keen on rugby and ok at cricket. Does not play musical instrument and he will start LAMDA next term in Year 6. Is confident in a nice way and extremely popular at school. I got impression that MTS is really keen on extra curricular which my DS does not do much of apart from football. Mill Hill does not sound that great for bright child then. Very limited with North London schools - not Highgate or City standard I don't think and I have heard UCS has quite a lot of bullying and do not always deal well with boys if they get a bit lazy in teen years (but one never really knows whether the rumours are true). Have also contemplated St Albans as can get there on Overground, but bit of a schlepp and Haileybury as boarding option if needed.

I love the idea that Mill Hill is “rich but thick” and at the same time has a Nobel Prize winner as an alumni.

For what it’s worth, I really object to children being labelled thick, whether they are rich or poor. In fact, you never see this description about MLD children with a low IQ, because, rightly, you would be described as rude and discriminatory against children with special needs. Mill Hill children are like any other children. They deserve respect whatever their background.

Racecardriver

To call children “rich but thick” is in itself stupid and arrogant. Not all children at Mill Hill come from rich families and nearly all children that go to this school are a credit to their families.

Both schools do what they do well. The only boy from ds's prep with dyslexia and dyspraxia got into MT at 13+ and continues to do well there, now in Upper sixth form. MT knew well ahead that he had SEN. I don't know what adjustments were made for him but he has thrived there. Prep actually recommended Aldenham, but parents disagreed and and it paid off.

A number of ds2's friends from prep also went on to Mill Hill at 13+. Haven't heard anything but positive from them through ds.