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Original poster

Best prep in NW London

33 replies

jyot · 07/10/2009 08:26

Hi everyone hoping for some advice. I plan on applying for NLCS and Habs for DD at 4+ but entry for these schools is highly competetive... i've heard 200 apply for 40 places!!! If dd is not accepted what would be the next best prep option in my area? I've looked at Radlett prep, alpha prep, st helens and a few others but have no idea of their reputation. Ideally i would want a school that would give dd best chance of entering NLCS or Habs at 7+ or 11+. Thanks

OP posts:

MaLopez · 07/10/2009 08:31

4+ is the easiest time to get in. DD got into Habs at 4+. Not as many as 200 apply, don't let that put you off. 5+ for Habs is also another option.

DD also got into Holland House which was my reserve school. Not a bad prep school but was just a bit small. I have heard good things about St Helens and Radlett prep but nothing about Alpha prep.

Original poster

jyot · 07/10/2009 17:16

Thanks malopez. Do you know how many apply at 4+ for habs or nlcs? I was becoming quite depressed when I heard those figures from a friend!

OP posts:

squeaver · 07/10/2009 17:17

Those figures are completely misleading as so many people apply for multiple schools.

And remember, if she doesn't get in it is NO REFLECTION ON HER OR YOU.

onemoretimetoday · 07/10/2009 20:33

Radlett Prep is a really lovely school, it was our backup. It has good facilities, although no school dinners, nice grounds and the children go onto all the good schools esp Habs, it's very much a feeder into there. It's also well priced IMO and it's not poncy and full of rituals.

Manor Lodge is also really nice. We put DS's name down for Holland House but found it much too much focus on the academics and has no facilites.

I can't work out where you live based on the schools you mention but I'd certainly consider one of the schools closer to you rather than one miles away ie Radlett Prep most of the children are Radlett, Elstree, Bushey, Stanmore and Edgware where as St Helens is better if you are Harrow, pinner, Northwood.

Original poster

jyot · 08/10/2009 16:46

I live in stanmore not far from canons park tube so NLCS would be perfect..... got my heart set on it! I leaning towards holland house school as my reserve option. Results seem good and only a 5 minute drive away. Anyone have any other suggestions?

OP posts:

mimmum · 08/10/2009 16:57

Goodwyns is meant to be nice.

onemoretimetoday · 08/10/2009 19:00

It totally depends what you are looking for but Holland House really wouldn't be an option for me unless you're looking for pure academia. It's very focused on sitting at desks at the front of the class learning and it's very very pushy with virtually no facilities and a tiny playground. Of course, if that's what you're looking for then it may be perfect.

I'm not a Goodwyns fan either, again, they have massive amounts of homework, far more than I feel is appropriate for young children, it's extremely strict and disciplined, I hate that they have 3 year olds in ties and blazers and it's very old fashioned. I have a lot of friends with children there and it's very split between those who adore that approach and those who are on waiting lists to get out asap. Again, have a look and see what you think.

Really sorry that I'm probably not giving you the answers you're looking for but from Stanmore I'd probably go for Radlett prep, I personally think it's in a totally different league to Holland House, it's just much broader, they have lovely grounds,learning is more modern in approach but gets results. They have a lovely theatre, good music facilities and I was sold on the children doing cycling proficiency when I went to visit. It offers much more in the way of extra curricular activities and I'd also seriously look at the travel time to Manor Lodge, everything I've heard about it makes we wish we lived a little bit closer so that we could consider it. You could also get to Edgegrove easily from there, I don't know what it's like academically but I know that pastorally it's meant to be very good.

If you're in stanmore you could also look at Orley Farm in Harrow and could easily get to to St Helens or Northwood College.

MaLopez · 09/10/2009 20:06

Yes, what onemoretime said. Holland House is very small and a bit of a hot house.

I have heard Manor Lodge is good though and have a friend who's child was there.

Edgegrove is good but not really academic. Also you can get there quite easily. Have someone near you with children in Edgegrove.

We really wanted NLCS as it a 2 minute drive from us. What we did not reckon with was the fact that they push a lot, too much I think for a 4 year old. Also at rush hour, it takes me less time to get to Habs than to NLCS which is nearer.

Habs do not give homework for the first 2 years and focus on learning through play, especially in reception. NLCS on the other hand give loads and I do not think results really vary between both schools. Rather have a well rounded child than an overly serious one.

petelly · 10/10/2009 23:57

I looked at Holland House but also thought it too academic - even reception childrn all sit facing the front.

One school we loved was Peterborough and St Margarets in Stanmore. Results aren't fantastic but we loved the atmosphere there.

In the end, we couldn't afford private so dd goes to Aylward in Stanmore (we moved so needed Year 1 place). Have you considered Whitchurch or Stanburn? They're supposed to be very good and if youre in Canons Park you've a great chance of getting in.

Original poster

jyot · 11/10/2009 19:18

Thanks for all the advice everyone much appreciated....sorry had no internet access for a few days. Most of my friends with children are not even considering private schools so its great to be able to talk to you all!

Holland House was my first reserve option but now I'm not so sure. Radlett prep, Manor Lodge and Edgegrove are good schools but it will be dd's grandad doing the school run so I think I will have to have a conversation with him about how far he is willing to commute. I might even drive to some of those during rush hour to get an idea.

As for state.... I'm aware Whitchurch and Stanburn are very good. In fact the initial plan was to send dd to Whitchurch and then private school from 11+... that was until I found out how competitive it was to get in to the top private schools at that age!

I will look at some the schools mentioned in this thread in more detail... thanks again all.

OP posts:

NyeEve · 11/10/2009 19:19

all hot beds of cocaine use

onemoretimetoday · 11/10/2009 22:32

I wouldn't discount the state schools if you have been considering them previously. There is a myth in NW London that if you don't go private from the word go then you'll not get into the good schools at 11 and the older my kids get the more I see that this really isn't the case at all. We're blessed with an abundance of good state schools in Bushey / stanmore and parts of Edgware & Mill Hill and from what I can see there is very little difference in the levels between what my state educated kids are doing compared to their friends at private schools and I genuinely believe their getting a comparative education and honestly in this area children move freely between state and private at all levels.

The state schools mentioned are all very good and are used to children moving into private at 11, infact, the beauty of schools like NLCS and HABS is that they DO take a good percentage of their 11+ from state schools and they're not stupid, they know that the children from state schools haven't covered the same ground as those at private schools and they do take that into consideration. Yes, you'll need to tutor to get in there at 11, mainly because the state schools will not have prepared the children in exam techniques but there are loads of tutors in the area with a great track record of getting state school children into those schools and if your child has the ability they'll make sure that they cover the missing ground. Best of luck with your decision.

Remember too that Stanmore is still in the catchment for Watford Grammar and I'd keep that on your radar.

petelly · 16/10/2009 21:54

I was looking at where Aylward leavers go and saw that they had got children into NLCS, Habs (boys) and Merchant Taylor. Considering it has a very mixed intake, I thought that was a good sign.

I've actually been very impressed with Aylward so far. They have a teacher and two teaching assistants (one full time and one shared) in dd's classroom, they read with her at least every other day, so far they've been on one trip and and have another planned next week and they seem to havea great curriculum as well (this term they're all studying Kandinsky and basing learning around his work) - it's a far far better school than I expected.

Good luck with your decision!

polo007 · 03/02/2010 20:57

Pls help help help!!!!!!!!

My DD sat entrance this yr for 7+. She was shortlisted for 2nd round. Now we are anxiously awaiting results to arrive in post by Friday.

Pls help with my Q's:

Should I ring the school to convince my dd being part of Gifted children group..will they take it in a good stead and will this help with her selection?

2)Do they take current school ref only for those children that they want to offer place? or is it for all children shortlisted for 2nd round?

PLS REPLY TODAY!!!! AS i cannot sleep..
thank you

claig · 03/02/2010 22:13

Hi polo007,
I wouldn't ring the school, it may come across as a bit too pushy and they may not like it. I don't think it will make a lot of difference at this stage, they will have probably made their decision by now.
I'm not sure about your 2nd question.
I can imagine how anxious you are, but I don't think there is anything more you can do now but wait. I hope she gets in. Good luck.

Summersoon · 03/02/2010 22:23

I would on no account ring the school! No upside but very real risk of annoying them. I agree that the decision has almost certainly already been made.

As to the second point, I would be inclined to think yes, as most schools like to take into account as much information as they can get.

polo007 · 04/02/2010 10:03

Hi Claig, Summersoon,

Thank you very much for your quick response. I'll not call up the school(as I might upset them)and will spend one more sleepless night.
We will get the post tomorrow and will let you know.

Thanks again..

polo007 · 05/02/2010 10:38

Hi Everybody,

Great new, my dd has been offered a place in NLCS!! for yr 3. She has been selected!!

I am sooo happy...

Thanks again..

stressed2007 · 05/02/2010 10:41

well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has done very well amd you can relax and enjoy now!

claig · 05/02/2010 11:01

fantastic news polo007, congratulations, that is a brilliant school!! Have a stern word with her and tell her never to put you through anything like that again, and then buy her a lovely present

Summersoon · 05/02/2010 14:16

Woo-hoo! Many congratulations!! I hope that your DD will be very happy there!

polo007 · 06/02/2010 19:45

Yes my daughter is really very happy and excited too..
Thank you everybody for your support.

pamoja · 14/02/2010 00:40

hi polo ...did u tutor her ....pls honesty ...all say they don't but most do and it seems like a rat race ...recomend tutors....and what do they do at 7+.....i know written papers but the practiacal aspect?
thanks.....

nonconformist99 · 24/09/2010 20:39

Hi - many mentioned Radlett prep above? does anyone have an idea of the assessment for 4+ or have any experience of the schools environment i do get the impression that it may be quite cliquey? Also has anyone had experience of Alpha prep or orley farm in harrow? ta

Summer777 · 30/11/2011 15:52

My daughter goes to the most lovely little girls' prep school called St Hilda's in Bushey. I just wanted to mention it because I'm so happy as a mum. All the teachers are really lovely and approachable - and they get their girls into all the good local schools, St Helens NLCS, Habs etc. but it's not pushy or cliquey..

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