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Original poster

Habs Girls

71 replies

taliach · 15/02/2010 11:01

Hoping someone can offer some opinions.

We have been offered a place at Habs girls at 5+ but I keep hearing how pressured the school is. On discussion though, this turns out to be "what people say" rather than direct knowledge.

I've toured it and it didn't seem like that to me - certainly not in comparison to NLCS for instance. ie, no homework in year 5, lots of learning thru play, etc

Does anyone have a daughter at the school who can give me any background? We have places on offer elsewhere but we really like this school - we just want to make sure they'll take care of DD there as well as teach her!

TIA

OP posts:

Notsurehow · 30/10/2011 22:06

Oh Alicia I sooo feel for you.My half sister was in a similar situation (different school) but because is scored so highly in every "list" she was going to stay regardless.

Parents with children at Habs will obviously defend their choice for clear reasons (why would you pay all those fees,even consider your child may be unhappy and then admit it??)

For me (regardless of whether I could afford it or not) I would base my choice on my "feel" for the school,it's "ethos" and most importantly, the views of past (and if possible) current pupils.

To me,it sounds like hell on earth ,a status statement for the parents and only the strongest,driven and acadenic will survive to emerge with a positive experience.....

breadandbutterfly · 31/10/2011 20:29

My dd's best friend has startd there this year. She seems to be enjoying it so far. oldmum - there are lots of schools with the same name, not just one - that may explain the numbers at Oxbridge.

oldmum42 · 01/11/2011 12:44

AH, BreadandButterfly, we are in Scotland so I was not aware of that - thought it was just the 2 of them (Boy/girls).

cupcakesx · 16/12/2011 23:00

I'm currently in U6 at habs, (joined a 11+) and contrary to most other people on this thread, I have really loved my time there. I do not deny that there is a certain amount of pressure on girls but I think the competitive aspect is very different to other selective schools such as NLCS. I have friends there and it seems to me that girls there are constantly played against one another and that every girl wants to do better than their friends whereas I find that the culture at habs is more to do well for yourself. However, this does mean that you have to be quite self-motivated in order to be happy there and i definitely agree with other posters that it's not for everyone. It's a very conventional place and as I'm a pretty conventional person, it works for me. But in my experience it's not the best place for free spirits.
There are high expectations but i really don't agree that it's a case of sink or swim, the staff are always more than happy to help us with any academic problems we are having particularly as you get higher up the school. In terms of pastoral care, I have always felt very supported by the school and so do most of my friends, particularly in the sixth form when relationships with teachers become more relaxed and informal.
Lots of people have talked about bitchiness/cliques etc. and of course I don't deny that this can be true but it's true of pretty much any school and I really don't think it's the dominating atmosphere. In general, I find that girls eally look after and support one another.
All in all I think that habs works for some people and doesn't for others and that you'd know if it wasn't for you.
As far as my experience of it goes, I am happy, in a good group of friends and I enjoy going to school, and this applies to the vast majority of girls I know.

crystalglasses · 16/12/2011 23:22

My dd was a Habs girl - very bright but completely unmotivated to work hard however her lack of drive was tolerated as she always seemed to scrape through her exams. However she loved it there and managed to get the grades for Oxford, get a first and is now studying for a Phd. I am sure she would say that she would send her children there if and when she has any.
I know I'm a proud mum but she really is kind, modest, hardworking and has a prodigious academic talent which blossomed very late in her school career. She was not a typical assertive, ambitious Habs girl by any means.

MrsJAlfredPrufrock · 17/12/2011 10:57

I've looked at both and have friends with daughters at both. I have no direct experience of the school other than that but here's my ten penny worth anyway. I feel SAHS for Girls has deeply rooted feminist principles. Which I like. It seems to instill a belief that they can become anything they want, and it encourages friendship and support among its pupils and staff.. Habs' Girls seem to encourage nothing but relentless competition, it feels a much more gritty environment and its staff somewhat harsh. I've personally discounted Habs' girls' prep for this reason.

riya1995 · 31/01/2012 18:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WTFlike · 31/01/2012 22:10

I wouldn't send my DD. For leisure time the girls seem to log on to parenting sites.

SardineQueen · 31/01/2012 22:16

Turniphead1 · 31/01/2012 22:49

I too am finding odd that secondary level girls would be reading Mumsnet. Maybe they are tasked with it by the admissions registrar at Habs?

WTFlike · 31/01/2012 23:08

They either have a very high percentage of teenage pregnancies, or someone is tasked with searching the internet for damage limitation.

Either way, it wouldn't be the school for my DD.

quickthink · 06/02/2012 15:26

Have to choose by this thursday,HABS V SAHS...??

WTFlike · 07/02/2012 02:52

I've been receiving abusive PMs from an illiterate Habs ex-pupil since I last posted on this thread, if that helps sway your decision.

dasmummy · 07/02/2012 10:46

What a very odd thread. If I were working at Habs I'd be aghast to see it on a popular forum. All schools have people who loved their time there and people who hated it - obviously Habs is no exception. I went to a well thought of grammar in Bucks and absolutely bloody hated every minute of it. My sister loved it there - best days of her life. Looking back, it was more a reflection on our attitudes than on the school - she was also really lucky in her friendship group. And I certainly wouldn't base a decision about what the school might be like now based on my experiences 20+ years ago.

Hi quickthink - We haven't been lucky enough to get a place at Habs this year, but would have taken it if we had. I have a few friends with girls there, all very happy with the school. The girls seem very calm, happy sorts as well. No homework in the first two years so not as pressured as some preps. We'll certainly be trying again next year.

I don't know SAHS very well, but I do know someone with a child there - sounds quite formal but thats not necessarily a bad thing.

All this is by the by - you have probably toured both schools by now - if I were you I'd trust your instincts and forget about "what people say". And remember that the school run will dominate your life so take that into consideration! If I was struggling to choose and one school was much easier to get to, then that for me would be a deciding factor..

Chilie543 · 09/02/2012 10:30

My mum suggested I add to this post.

I'm in Year 6 at Haberdashers and joined at 4 in Rainbow.

I think it is untrue that Habs is pushy. For me it's been really really good fun and you don't get pushed that much but you do get pushed to achieve things. I love Habs. I think it's the best choice to make for a school. I have learned lots and made lots of friends easily.
When you join in year 1 or above you get given a buddy to help you learn about school and often these buddies become close friends in the future.
The teachers are kind and friendly but are firm and just.
My Mum and Dad think that the school is great and if anything could be a bit more pushy....

Mum here....we had to post something as we really don't recognise the comments from old girls. Habs has been fantastic, not without some minor irritations, but is certainly not a hot house. To my knowledge no girls have left since Rainbow, except one for continued bad behaviour. Pastoral care is top notch and All girls who joined the junior school will be offered places to the senior so far as we know.

Really, really it is a wonderful place and a very supportive school!

quickthink · 09/02/2012 16:15

decision made!
love both schools and both are on the top league tables with very good results,so not much to worry in that sector.
But on logistic for me and a bit of social the SAHS will suit us better,specially my 5 year old,very hard to make that decision as i said before,but the pastoral its also as important..hope that i have made the right decision,but who knows only time!
thanks for the coments.

habsmum · 10/02/2012 11:53

I had to write on this thread because I am surprised by the negative comments about Habs Girls. I have a daughter at the school who is now in year 1 and my experience so far has been great. I was apprehensive at first as to whether to send my daughter thereas there is a lot of negative talk but I'm so glad I did because she has had a great few years with no pressure. there is a no homework policy and they encourage 'play' at home. In comparison i have a friend with a duaghter at NLCS and she has been very unhappy with the pressurised environment.
I only have praise for the experience i have had so far, I dont htink people should comment unless they have experienced the school.

WTFlike · 10/02/2012 12:22

This is the latest PM I received from an alleged ex-pupil:

From: stupidmums block
To: WTFlike
Subject: Re: regarding what you wrote on the habs post.
Date: Thu 09-Feb-12 22:41:28
I have the right to PM u as much as i like. Your username reflects ur crappy personality and ur daughter is probably as much of a idiotic bitch as you.

Turniphead1 · 10/02/2012 18:44

Wow! Presumably you have reported her to the MN moderator? What a shame she didn't learn to write in full sentences at Habs (assuming she actually she went there...).

quickthink · 10/02/2012 22:07

Omg!
why people sometimes gets things so wrong!
I think the both schools are fine,but its the parents sometimes gets too personal and competitive.
be more humble sometimes its not a bad thing.

hellosunshine321 · 06/03/2016 22:50

Hello, i'm an ex habs girl. I left in the last few years so have experienced the new headmistress. I think it is unfair to say that Habs is 'pushy' as it varies. i think it is also unfair to say that the pastoral care is awful as it is not, and i have never met a school that felt like more like a family with joking between teachers and students and a healthy environment that sets you up with skills for life. I would send any child of mine to habs in a heartbeat. Everyone is accepted at habs and there are very rare cases of bullying. It doesn't matter how quiet or shy or ballsy you are, there will always be someone similar. They have also started shuffling the classes now more so has stopped the 'cliques' forming. However, i feel that the girls that attended the junior school often are fed up with staying in one place for so long, so if you are more keen on secondary at Habs, i wouldn't advise the primary as well as the secondary.

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