Does anyone have children at Stormont Prep school ( potters bar) or st albans high school for girls?

[stressed2007]

If so can you post - I have got some questions. Thanks

My cousins children go to Stormont. They live in Brookmans Park. I can ask them to help out with any questions you might have if that will help... she's not a member of mumsnet though

My daughter is at stormont and we are extremly pleased with it

My DD went there and I have had and still do, a long association with the school.

I've heard great things about it but I was surprised by the leavers destinations over the last few years. Not many to the most academic girls' schools: St Albans High, Haberdashers etc (?)

Imagine the competition is fierce for these? More to the generally less academic/slightly more easy to get into schools?

Sorry, I meant to say I am St Albans High School, it looks as though I was referring to Stormont.

DD went to Stormont, then to St Albans High School at 11. I think the destinations will vary very much year to year. When we were there, there were a number who went to St Albans High School and Habs, some with scholarships. The slightly less academic girls tended to go to Queenswood, St Francis College or Haileybury iirc

5 have failed exam to St Albans in last 2 years - quite a lot considering not many take the exam. Having said that I applaud their transparency, I can't think of another prep school that gives open statistics about how many sat and how many passed on their website. It must be comparatively very difficult to get in at 11 plus?

hamishbear I don't think they will have 'failed' the exam, just not been in the top 30 or so who get places. i think there were at least 6 external candidates for every place last year

There is very few places available, as most, not all come though from the Junior school, a few of those don't always make the grade either and are advised to look elsewhere. The same happens at 16, parents are warned in GCSE years, to stay on for 6th form, they are expected to get at least 5 A's and A* in the subjects they wish to do at A level. There are very very few grades below a B anyway.

Yes, good point, not offered a place perhaps rather than 'failed'. All those who sat for Queenswood look to have got in etc. St Albans sounds fiercely competitive.

One thing to remember is that Stormont is not selective for its Reception intake, whereas places like the High School, Habs etc will do some form of assessment

For what it is worth, I never believe the stats offered on websites listing "offers" etc. One headteacher of a very good prep said they stopped putting those stats on the web and now only put actual destinations because parents tell their kids they got in, whether they did or not, and there's no independent way to validate this.

Hi, I know this is a really old thread but I'm hoping someone will still be around to answer some questions. How academic would you say Stomont is? I know they have a very relaxed homework policy compared to most other schools. Also know someone who said that her child was never stretched at the school and this worries me. I want my daughter to enjoy school (which she undoubtedly will if she goes to Stormont) but I also want her to be pushed a little so that she's able to reach her full potential. Would really appreciate any information regarding the academic side of things.

Thanks so much

I know it's been 10 years to this thread but just incase if there is a parent with girls in stormont recently after new head. Cab you please comment. I'm really confused and would likemy daughter to go there but pushing her is my priority. Thanks