Lady margaret school (parsons green) vs Holland park school

[m21]

Hello... I'd really appreciate feedback from anyone who is currently in (or were previously) at either of these two schools (LMS or HPS) to share their experience, pros and cons, watch outs, preference etc of the schools. I'm exploring joining either one for my daughter in Y8 who has ADHD and would appreciate input as I'm lost having sent the kids to private school. We've just gotten space at HPS but not sure if it's right for my daughter and whether it's better to wait for Lady Margaret? Thank you!!

Thanks Dee14ko... yes the size of HPS is a concern. I didn't know I can visit LMS.. will call this week, thanks for the tip.

They are completely different schools - HPS is large, co-ed, properly comprehensive, LMS is girls, smaller, and obviously a faith school, which makes for a different demographic - very low FSM.

Does your DD have an EHCP or is this is a standard in year admission? If she doesn't have a Plan, is there currently a place in LMS? I imagine they are full and have waiting lists in KS3 at least maybe throughout.

Sorry to jump on - my daughter has an ehcp and we are also thinking of holland park. The size of the school massively makes me feel uneasy, but the options are farrrrr better for my dd than lms. Lms is on our road and very close to us, however im unsure its the best for her because its so academic. What have you decided?

Sometimes larger schools have better SEND provision and expertise e.g. there are areas set aside for pupils who need quieter areas at breaks.

DD's school had a room where she (and others who needed it) could go and continue to work if the full class got overwhelming. No behavioural issues in the main classes, but DD sometimes struggled, so could take her work and go to the staffed quiet area.

So it is worth having an in depth discussion with the SENCO about your daughter's specific needs and concerns, and what the school provides.

Yes i saw a room like this is HPS. Nothing that I can remember of similar in LMS. I have a while to think yet shes in yr5, her senco isnt the best i have a better understanding of her needs.

And she - in effect - dropped PE during her GCSE years without any fuss. It went from being a structured sports/fitness class to a more informal set of games and activities. It was great for most pupils - it allowed them to develop habits of exercise that hopefully would continue after school. But DD found the social skills aspect of the lack of structure very difficult to navigate.

And before anyone expresses horror at being allowed to drop PE!
a) it was better for her than self harming because she couldn't cope and
b) she was doing 10-12 hours of dance class each week outside of school so taking plenty of exercise...

So, talk to the school, and get a sense of how flexible and supportive they are. I know other parents that have found a larger, 'rougher' school can sometimes be better for their DC with SEND because there is a larger pool of expertise and provision - whatever your DC brings they are more likely to have encountered it and found supportive strategies.