Norland Place vs Notting Hill

[Walvis01]

Hello Mumsnet,

We just moved to W11 and were very fortunate (with a LOT of pestering of the registrars) to gain places at Chepstow House, Norland Place and Notting Hill Prep. We’ve ruled out Chepstow and are in agony over NP vs NHP. All of course excacerbated by the fact that we cannot visit any of these schools at the moment and speak to people live.

I’d be so interested in people’s views on NHP which, despite the slightly hippy reputation, seems to get great results and produce happy children. Is that right? Any views on how this has evolved under the new head?

On NP, it seems so lovely and the consistency is very reassuring - but are they moving with the times or perhaps resting on their laurels a bit? (They only received ‘good’ in the ISI inspection before last, but are now up to ‘excellent’ again, in fairness)

THANK YOU so much for any advice you might be able to share.

Bump

What year ? Daughter ?

Yes, daughter and into reception

No personal experience, but have friends with DC at both...

I guess it comes down to whether you want fairly traditional (Norland) with parent and student body from those kinds of families or something with a bit more buzz, innovation etc (NHP)?

Would your DD suit smaller feel and calmer, guided type of education or a more energetic, exploring, love of learning type education?

Norland is 11+ exit whereas NHP does 11+ and 13+ so more options especially if you want boarding eventually?

What made you rule out Chepstow out of interest? I'd say it sits in between these two on the 'traditional'---'modern/innovative/lively' scale!

Thank you, Dino, all very good points.

I think PE ownership is not the greatest concept for a school and hence not convinced by Chepstow.

I think a small yet innovative school would be best for her - she’s clever and curious, not massively disciplined, quite single minded, likely sporty and arty rather than musical. If we could merge the two schools, that would be ideal. And I’m just a tad concerned about exit results at Norland for London day schools - we will definitely not go down the boarding route.

We also have a place at Thomas’s Ken and perhaps that would be a good compromise...although that much further from where we live (Holland Park) so prefer a W11 school.

Thank you!!

Fair enough about Chepstow. I have a friend who teaches there and has been treated badly in terms of pay and progression so agree re PE ownership.

Have you chosen a school? Shame to read the comment about Chepstow, its one of my top two choices but if the teachers are not treated well it does not sound like a nice place :/

Hi Milii, not yet, we are truly in agony. Walked past all of them again yesterday, hoping the buildings might speak to us! At the end of the day, they are all excellent schools and I feel rather silly to make such a song and dance, but we obv all want to do the right thing for our children. What’s your other top choice and how will you decide?

I understand you. We got offer letters from all five schools we applied to so it took me a while but I have managed to rule out three :) Now it's between Chepstow and Pembridge Hall. Have you toured them all? I was curious about NHP but since it's a split site school I thought it was good to visit it. I have many friends that were in agony but when they finally made the decision they felt so relieved :) As soon as you choose it will feel so good they say :D Good luck!

@Walvis01 which did you go for in the end?

Falkner House, actually. Total u-turn, best laid plans and all that....

A very close call, helped by the fact that in this strange Covid year we were able to see the school and they were able to meet our daughter which gave us more comfort that we’re making a decision driven by a degree of experience rather than a stab in the dark with schools who’ve never met us nor we them.

But if it hadn’t been for that, we would have picked NHP out of the local schools which we thought was brilliant on so many levels but sadly we couldn’t visit or speak to the head.

@Walvis01 ah that’s a lovely school. Thanks for your reply & hope she’s enjoying FH :)