Co-ed secondary schools N NW Lon Highgate Mill Hill NBH

[Onthespot2018]

Hi, new to MN.
Keen to hear feedback on co-ed secondary schools N and NW London.

We have looked at NBH, Mill Hill and Highgate.
I hear the latter is very selective academically.

DS is pretty capable but possibly not enough for Highgate. Sporty and musical.

Highgate is very trendy at the moment - everyone wants to go there. I'm not sure why personally but it does make it harder to get into. They say that they are the only co-ed school of their academic calibre and that's probably correct as Mill Hill and NBH are less good academically. Mill Hill has amazing grounds and if he is sporty he may be happy there but the academic results are no better than the comprehensives in the area. NBH had a bad rep a while ago due to Cognita not investing in it but that may be out of date. Have you considered Aldenham? Further out but good bus network from N London.

Thanks waterbottle12
I think we will widen our net and Aldenham will be part of that.
DS needs pushing so I would be nervous of sending him to Mill Hill with their results declining year after year. It is a red flag for us, such a shame as the campus is superb and co-curricular offer good.
Am aware re NBH but have heard things are better of late.

Don't want a hothouse but definitely want a school that takes pride in academics whilst also focusing on pastoral care.

I know someone with two kids at Aldenham and she is really happy with it.

I also know someone with two kids at Aldenham and have only hear great things about it.

Are you not looking at grammars? Will you not be applying to Latymer? It might not be harder to get into than Highgate.

Yes to grammars, but most are single sex and possibly a bit too pressurised for DS.

Latymer is on radar too. Realised now cannot limit to North London now for co-ed as choices are slim in terms of academics.

Will look at boys schools too now, UCS anyone?

UCS - brilliant school. academically good and pastorally excellent. truly values all the talents, it's not just the sporty kids who are the heroes - music, drama, chess, art etc etc etc very valued.

@waterbottle12 do you have kids at UCS? You paint a great picture of the place. Wondered if it was based on reputation or personal experience. We are choosing between it and Highgate at 11+. My research suggests it is slightly less academic than Highgate tho I may be wrong.