Hawthorns or Micklefield - Any Thoughts?

[MandaMilner]

We cant decide for a number of reasons, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts. Thanks

Presumably your child is young ? What age do you anticipate them moving to senior school and do you have any in mind. M ends at 11 and H at 13 so M is more geared up towards preparation for entrance exams etc at 11 while H focusses on the Common Entrance syllabus for entry to schools such as Epsom and Cranleigh at 13 (although longer term this may well have to change).

Hey Lizs, did you have a mtg last night? (sorry OP - total hijack!).

Yes we did lol ! Thought of you but so many faces... Which colour badge?

Green. I think that they needed bolder colours for the badges though!

We were beige which was rather similar to yellow! Guess they didn't want to confuse with house colours.

Apologies for hijack op !

no worries!! Yes we thought of the 11 / 13 thing, purely cos we will be pushed financially and prep school is much cheaper than senior - so 2 years extra at lower fees would help.

In the end I think the cost is a bit of a red herring. H for example would have several ££ trips during those 2 years - fun but costly - and I think M's fees are slightly less in which case you'd save relatively over time. M achieves more scholarships at 11, because that is their ultimate goal, whereas H gears up more towards that at 13. There are also more places available at 11 in local secondary schools. Also compare the "extras" such as trips, lunch, extra curricular activities, uniform, learning support, transport to and fro etc

We only know the Hawthorns (which has been fantastic for our child). I don't think it's true to say that it concentrates on children leaving at 13, as lots leave at 11 and then new children join for the two years to 13. Many children leave the Hawthorns at 11 - but you may want the flexibility that they can stay on until 13 if it is right for them.

You haven't said what you're looking for in a school, nor what gender child(ren) you have. I have known very, ahem, boyish boys be moved from Micklefield to the Hawthorns, where they were much happier.