Move to private in Y4? Any Herts experience?

[yellowpinkgreenandblue]

Has anyone got any experience of moving their DC into a private school in Y4? Was the transition a big shock? Do you have any regrets?

We are considering St Albans High School as one option... does anyone know what format the entry exam is?

Any other school recommendations welcome. We're near Harpenden.

Thanks!

Is St Hilda’s the go to Harpenden prep? Don’t know about St Albans I’m afraid.

When girls are 11, I know a few who have gone to Queenswood in Potters Bar from Harpenden.

St Hilda’s is going through a bad patch recently with girls leaving in large numbers.

Thanks for the replies. Anyone else have any experience of a similar move/ any schools to recommend?

@zodlebud any idea what the issue is at st Hilda's? I don't know much about it other than the basics. I've also heard good things about Abbott's Hill and Beechwood Park

Why are the children leaving? Is there a high staff turnover or not? What does the inspection report on the school say?

I have PM’d the OP with details.

Habs often have the odd occasional place, worth asking

Thank you - Habs is a bit further for us but will def have a look. Not sure DD will survive a rigorous exam though...

Thanks for the PM info too zodlebud :)

We have just moved ds at the start of Y3 - it has been a very positive move (although we are only two weeks in to it). His new school is non-selective, but there is quite a difference in terms of standard, he is towards the bottom in his new class (particularly in English, maths not so bad). The reason we moved him was for him to focus a bit more in a calmer environment - it has come as a shock to him, he told me he had the loudest voice in the class the other day ! Plus the little things like making sure they are well presented, speaking to adults politely - greeting them nicely and engaging in polite conversation, I know these are 'normal' manners, but they are reinforced continuously. Because of the smaller number of children in the class, they get more attention, their books get marked, they have exercise books with the questions already printed in them so they don't have to wait ten minutes for a glue stick to stick a worksheet in (yes, we had our own) - just really little things that make for a more productive working environment.

thanks for sharing your experience - glad it's going well. Helpful to hear