Highgate primary....st. michaels...please help!

[Rockingrobin69]

If you have DC at either of the above please take a minute and tell me about what the kids and parents are like at either school and the general feel/ clubs.....

My DS has been accepted at Highgate Primary but I'm wondering as to whether to hold out on the waiting list for St. michaels.....

Any comments or opinions would be much appreciated smile

I have (had) 3 children at Highgate Primary - 2 boys now in years 3 & 5 and my daughter is now at Fortismere but she was at HP for 8 years from Nursery through to Year 6. I love the school. I think our Headteacher is excellent and the school fosters a very different ethos to St Michaels. My daughter did brilliantly in her SATS, as did all her friends who were like her. The school is very multicultural, friendly (calling teachers by their first names), there is the attachment to Blanche Nevile where kids learn sign language and learn to be around children who are different to them and accept that this is normal. This instils a sense of tolerance and makes for a very friendly environment. Our last Ofsted was good - it is extremely hard to be given an Outstanding these days. There is now Mandarin teaching from (I think) year 3 which is excellent. You should look at our website - it is very detailed. Our PSA is very proactive and friendly. I have always felt it is quite a well kept secret.
I did put it as my first school and so I am probably not entirely objective but I do feel passionately that it does exactly what I wanted for my children. They have learned to be polite, kind, thoughtful individuals, as well as all the educational things that they have to learn anyway.
I would have never considered St Michaels.
The parents are a real mix - I work in arts, my husband is doctor, and we know plenty of other parents like ourselves there.
There is sometimes a rough edge which I can't deny, but the school has the BEST pastoral support I have ever seen in any primary school, and deals with issues arising from behaviour etc in a very supportive and proactive way, as and when required.
We have an amazing school choir for both KS1 and KS2. We also have the Kaos choir who are the singing and signing choir who you may have seen on the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
The governors are very intelligent and thoughtful people who are available at Parents Evenings for chatting. The teachers are lovely. There is a breakfast club caled Early Birds (which I personally don't like the look of - I guess some people need to use this though) and an after-school club called Night Owls which my boys have done and it seems friendly.

I hope some of this helps.

Hi,Highgate primary is a good school my eldest has gone on to secondary school and my youngest is in Reception.
I prefer Highgate over st michaels because Highgate is very multi cultural.
I also like the way my children can interact with all different children of mixed abilities.
The teachers are supportive and nurturing in the nursey and reception.
I am not a Doctor or a lawyer but i consider myself to be a loving parent and i want a good education for my children also.
I hope you come to a decision .