which to choose NLCS or Habs at 4+?

[rinol]

My dd has got into both schools but not sure which to choose!I have another dd at Habs....decision decisions!.....i'm leaning towards NLCS!...any advice welcome

Hi again Renol. I have friends on the waiting lists for both schools. Any chance you could speed up your decision making (re "we have 3 weeks to mull over it") just to ease their anxiety and insomnia and free them from their endless hunt for more chocolate!!! Thanks - do let me know what you decide.

Why do people have to be so nasty (gollygee)?

Well done to your DD, RInol, and good luck with your decision!

rinol: for senior school I think I just didn't thrive in the bigger environment, the way of splitting the classes meant I was separated from a lot of my friends and didn't make new ones easily. I wasn't pretty or particularly witty, I was young for my year and very clever (I was also a scholarship girl) but socially inept. I found it very cliquey and bitchy as I got older, and everyone I know who says it wasn't like that subsequently turns out to have been part of a clique. There isn't much room for an 'outsider' at Habs - you do have to conform to fit in but I think in the senior school there is also the need to have something that makes you stand out in addition to being academically able: music, art, sport, social butterfly....

I think changing schools at 11 would have been healthier for me, because I sort of expected it to be just the same and it really wasn't, but I know people who thrived. I just wished someone had picked up on my problems making friends in Lower IV! And I should have changed for VIth form when I realised I really wasn't happy. Having said that I got an excellent, very rounded, very solid (yes conventional but good foundation!) education. A gap year sorted my social "ishoos" out and I'm now able to benefit from my time there, but I wasn't happy at the time.

Hi Rinol - just interested to hear what you finally decided (deadlines looming!)- keep us posted...

hi Narnia2....got a surprise call from both schools today as to my decision!(deadline fri!)....More than likely will go for Habs....Will let both schools know tomorrow!...Hope your friends on the waiting list for NLCS get a place.....

NLCS and Habs are VERY different schools. My daughter got into both at age 7. She told the Habs head mistress (in public!) that she didn't want to go there, cos it didn't make her 'feel like singing'. But other friends' daughters are very happy at Habs.

So what's the difference? Both are for clever girls, but NLCS was founded by suffragettes and offers places irrespective of ability to pay. The only entry criterion is being the right sort of girl - clever and sassy. NLCS girls are strong outgoing characters who want to change the world.

My daughter is now 16. This year she is working for two weeks in Brussels (EU),3 weeks' volunteering at an orphanage in China, and 10 days on a ranch in Costa Rica. Who waits for a gap year before starting to change the world?

Habs is a great school, and was our original first choice, close to home etc. The Habs girls seem to be more quietly academic, perhaps more reserved, and more structured.

If you're going to pay for education, you might as well pay for the school that meets the personality of each child. Our daughter remains blissfully happy at NLCS.

This is a very interesting read. My daughter has her second assessment for Habs and we are not sure what to expect. She has been asked to wear trainers! I wonder if anyone would want to share their experience of the second assessment for 7+...?

Gratefully yours

The habs girls are supposed to be louder, actually, not more reserved. The NLCS ones are more likely to be Londonish, hampstead etc

NLCSdoes not let everyone in passes and then funds you. Manchester Grammar is trying that but even they have not got there as it is far far too expensive. Both Habs and NLCS have some (a few) bursaries if you are bright enough. Our girls enjoyed both.

NLCS gets marginally better A level results.On that basis I would pick it but we found vastly more similarities than differences over the years.

I have no experience of habs 7+ experience as ours got in younger. I think she should just relax, speak (if they are totally silent it's hard to assess them), don't hit anyone, be herself, smile.

I moved my daughter to NLCS from Habs, having felt that under Mrs Raddice the Habs I loved had gone. I cannot tell you how stunned I am with NLCS. In every respect it is a truly wonderful school, helpful, well organised, sensationally thought through in every respect. My greatest regret, is not looking at it earlier. Do not hesitate proceed directly to NLCS!

Hi Sally1818. My daughter also did the 2nd assessment for Habs 7+last week. Sounds as though they had a lot of fun but I have no idea how well she did or what they are looking for. Did you try anywhere else? Nervous anticipation for results this week. We so want this. Good luck to you and your daughter. Fingers crossed for us both.

At this young age I'd pick the school with the most green space. These schools are very high pressured and I find the setting of some London schools very oppressive for little ones. I do not know either school but young kids need some fresh air and plenty of space to run around. Based on location I would assume Habs would fit this bill. I also think having a child at a school from 4-18 is far too long so if you prefer NLC as a senior school then I'd send her to Habs for prep.

I have just put in the acceptance form for NLCS for my DD. Don't know if we have done the right thing. Habs seemed warmer and relaxed and better FT rating tipped the scale in NLCS's favor. Rinol what did you do finally?

ConcernedMom,
You won't be sorry. NLCS is very warm. My DD still pops into the reception class for a hug and a chat. The little ones have a great time and it only gets better as they go up the school. Don't worry.