st albans high school for girls

[galloo]

Would be grateful for any experiences of this school. My 4 year old DD has just been offered a place here (plus also a place at our local state primary in Harpenden). i went through state system myself and concerned DD may not have local friends if we go private? thanks!

my dd does not go there purely because of the commute - she got a place ages ago but when we tried the drive in the am it was 40 mins (we st albans though)

my friends have girls there and are very happy with it - two in st albans - but none of their friends live nearby so they are taxi drivers - neither mother works though so not a huge issue for them and the education is excellent

i think it is a great school but the tiredness was a big concern for me - i have a toddler too who would have spent up to 80 mins in the car twice a day and we have a good local primary which we all love

We are in Harpenden, the only person I have spoken to with girls there was very happy, but she was nearer to Wheathampstead so was an easier drive and would have had to drive anyway and was concerned about whether they would get into state secondaries in Harpenden.

I know that as my two have got older it is nice that their friends are close by but if you are happy to drive them not a huge issue. I think there is a bus isn't there for when they are a bit bigger. I would probably consider day to day impact of which school is easier to get to and which you prefer over having local friends. Personally, I do like being able to walk to the school, but wouldn't choose a school just for that! We have been very happy with the local primary.

My ds1 and ds2 are at a private school 20 mins away, and it IS an issue - certainly not in terms of the journey every day, but in terms of friendships and travel to parties etc at the weekend.

Having said that, I'm very very happy with the education side of things, and there are ways of working round the distance. Also the ds's have friends locally anyway, so it isn't overwhelming.

WRT to the school itself, I must admit to mixed feelings. I have many friends who went there and now a few friends who have daughters there. Academically - fantastic. But as you go through the school they start to get pretty picky about whether you're smart enough to stay there! In fairness my ds's school is the same, but I think you just need to be aware of that as a possibility - sometimes the school that is the "best" on paper isn't necessarily the one that suits your daughter best even if she is more than able to cope with the academic side of things.

Hope it all works out.

thank you all very much for taking the time to post - much food for thought!

Hi,

Not sure if it's too late but I wanted to write a post as my daughter has just started there.
I can't say enough good things about it! We live on the 'right' side of St Albans for the drive and it only takes us 10 mins in the morning. There are a few girls in her class who live nearby but admittedly only one within walking distance.

I went through the private system myself so I guess I'm used to the fact that it's all girls and that she won't be able to go to the school on foot.

The school itself is lovely! She has settled in really well and the other girls are so friendly and kind. The other mums are much friendlier than the ones at her state nursery school! She has done amazingly well in terms of academic achievement, due in part to the small class sizes and the fact that they are all fairly bright. More importantly she is happy, she bounces into school and bounces out and absolutely loves it.

Good luck with your decision if you haven't already made it!

I' m late to this thread too. I do the journey everyday and have done for the last two years from the farside of St Albans, it takes me no more than 15 minutes in the afternoon.

My little ones (minded children) have friends all over, I have taken them to playdates and parties, some in Hadley Wood, Barnet, Dunstable, no big deal. t can happen in state schools too, as some girls at Stags come from Boreham Wood and Hatfied.

My daughter also went there, but I can't agree with verygreenlawn, as in my DD's year there were several girls with dyslexia and dyspraxia and they were given lots of extra help. My dd says that the teachers are always willing to help with extra tuition and help, should it be needed.

She loved her years there, as did all her friends and they still meet up, they will be friends for life.