North London private secondaries for non-academic boys

[Rrelaxo]

Hello all,

I have just recovered from the 11+ saga with my daughter, who was lucky to get a place at South Hampstead. After a short week of relief, it is time to start thinking about my son. He is in Y4 and is a July baby, so one of the youngest. He is now at a good state school in Hampstead. Relatively strong in math, awfully behind in English. We have gradually started giving him additional support and thinking about secondaries.

He is a bright boy, but still too immature to take 11+ process seriously and he definitely wouldn't do well in a high-pressure school (if he even got in). So probably the likes of UCS, Highgate, etc are out of the question. I am looking at alternative schools with nurturing environment and good sports facilities. Mill Hill is one obvious option, but maybe you could recommend other worthy options to consider that will not give me grey hair in terms of preparing my son for entrance exams and not making him lose any interest for learning along the way if pushed too hard? Thanks a lot!

For now slight preference for boys-only, but will also look at co-ed to evaluate all options.

What about Aldenham? It's co-Ed and great sports facilities while not being as academic as the likes of Highgate etc?

Or John Lyon?

Mount House is lovely

Mount House School in Hadley Wood definitely is not lovely. It may improve with the new head, but that remains to be seen. None of their year 11 stayed on for Year 12 in September, and it's my understanding that the four or five outside pupils that joined have now moved to other schools.

@Soma wow really? We're at a North London prep not too far from there and I thought it had a reputation for being extremely nurturing, albeit non-academic, but it's a school everyone in the area mentions when they talk about a really nurturing school. The only negative thing I heard was that they are too easy-going and liberal and that some of the kids smoke pot.

Having said that, we have rejected their offer of a place, but my daughter loved it when she visited. It was very cosy and laid back

@XelaM, St Martha's was very nurturing and the pastoral care was good, it all changed with the new owners and becoming Mount House. It's not particularly easy going or liberal. But it doesn't have a drug problem, you might get the odd person in the upper years, but nothing like Highgate.

@Soma, oh really - re: Highgate drug problem? It’s a school we’re considering potentially at 11+. I heard that before but assumed all indie schools have that said about them.

@Frogusha , Highgate is known for it's drug problem, but lots of school have one, but it doesn't mean your DC will be part of that scene. However, Highgate does push back on it, and pupils are punished if found out.

[quote Soma]@Frogusha , Highgate is known for it's drug problem, but lots of school have one, but it doesn't mean your DC will be part of that scene. However, Highgate does push back on it, and pupils are punished if found out.[/quote]
Hi @Soma when you say it's known for it, known by who? Keen to know if the perception is that it's more of a problem there than at other North London Indies - UCS, Mill Hill, Habs, MTS or even City of London.

@LondonMummer, parents and teenagers in that part of London. It's probably no worse than some. One of the schools you mentioned is not particularly known for their drug problem, but I was told by a parent with a DC at that school that drugs were an issue if your DC was on the party scene. She was not worried as her DC was "not cool enough" to be invited to said parties.

[quote Soma]@LondonMummer, parents and teenagers in that part of London. It's probably no worse than some. One of the schools you mentioned is not particularly known for their drug problem, but I was told by a parent with a DC at that school that drugs were an issue if your DC was on the party scene. She was not worried as her DC was "not cool enough" to be invited to said parties.[/quote]
That's the thing. I think it's an issue at all schools if your kids are the type to get involved. I'm keen to know if any schools have a particular problem though - above the norm.

Interestingly when I grew up in North London at a private Indie, even back then some of the schools I've listed had a reputation for it. The one that was least known for it was the one with boys who first showed me soft drugs.

As a mum of boys about to embark on the secondary school journey I hope they have the wherewithal to make sensible choices but it would be good to know if word is that it's more rife at some schools than others.

My son is at the American school in St. John's Wood. It's really nurturing and the sports facilities are great. Worth a look.

@LondonMummer I only know about the incidents at Habs boys and UCS because they were in the news. The school I have heard it about was Mount House (from parents in North London) but then the above poster said it wasn't the case 🤷‍♀️

@LondonMummer a friend with a Dc at Highgate, wouldn't consider it for her younger one because of the drugs problem. But with anything, you have to do your owe due diligence. Our primary school was very good at giving parents a steer in the right direction, i.e. which schools to avoid for a particular DC for whatever reason. We were told very vocally by a close friend to avoid X school, but we ignored it, and it's been perfect for one of mine.

Hello Mums,
any personal experiences or shared experiences from Highgate and Hampton School 6F? I have two twins, one more academic and the other one more sportive? They are both interested in applying for Medicine, so looking for 6F good at STEM subjects and supportive with medical applications. Thanks 🙏

I have read that some boys mature after 11, do better at 13+ exams and can get to more academic schools.
I wonder if anyone has considered moving summer boy to a school that does 13+ to give the boy a chance to mature?

I’m a Highgate mum with a child in the 6th form. IME they don’t have a worse drug problem than any other equivalent school- they did have a year ( a few years ago) where drugs were a big problem but have cracked down very seriously.

Happy to answer any questions. To the lady with twins, I think it would be a good option if you want them at the same place.

Highgate was also in the news a few years ago because the girls were complaining of sexual abuse. The whole campaign against sexual abuse in schools started there.