Harpenden private schools - STAHS Prep vs Beechwood Park

[TwoGirlsAndOneDog]

We are soon moving to Harpenden and will miss the Reception application date for state primary schools. Aside from the single-sex vs co-ed argument, what are the pros and cons of STAHS Prep vs Beechwood Park? How do they compare reputationally with local intel? We have also looked at St Hilda’s.

I'm reasonably local - no 'proper' intel but I've heard good things in general about Beechwood Park.

And not STAHS? Thanks for the comment :)

Unless you’re set on single sex you may also want to look at Aldwickbury which is now becoming co-ed. I’ve heard it suggested that may lure pupils away who would otherwise have gone to St Hilda’s but who knows. Worth considering given that viability of preps is something you have to consider much more than previously.

Thanks - didn’t know it was going co-ed!

It depends on what you are looking for. Mine went to Beechwod up to Y3, then changed to Wheahampstead House in the middle of Y3, as we thought it would suite her better, and that was the right decision. We also found the parents at Stahs were more of our kind, especially many mothers were professional. Many at Beechwood mums were in my days were coffee-morning every day mums.

Thanks. Do you mind me asking what things about your daughter made you think that STAHS would suit her better? I’ve got a dilemma as I’m currently very much in the “professional” category but seriously thinking about whether to reduce hours or become a full-time Mum. We do have a toddler too.

My daughter was sociable enough, but very quiet (then!). She was an ever-so-easy child, who sat quietly, and got on with her work. The reason why we decided to move her was that she was "left alone" in the classroom because she did not need attention. One of the reasons we opted to send her to an independent school was individual attention to bring out her potentials. She was not unhappy at Beechwood Park, though.
Our experiences at STAHS were completely different. The staff seemed to know better how to deal with girls than at Beechwood Park. We found that the teachers at STAHS were prepared to listen to parents, and the headteacher was very accessible, easy to speak to.
At the end of the day, the class teacher plays a crucial role in your child's daily experience, whether in a state or independent school.

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I don’t like projecting my own experiences on to my children (and she’s only 4!) but I can totally empathise as I think I was similar to your child when I was a kid and I think my daughter is generally quite similar to me. I know a lot might depend on her teachers and (I think) the STAHS Head is relatively new, but it is seeming like the right option atm.