URGENT - Latymer vs Highgate

[RobyG]

Hello!
My dear son got offers at 7+ from Latymer Prep, Highgate and UCS and we need to decide by the end of this week.
All those schools are amazing, but I am particularly torn between Highgate and Latymer.
I love Highgate and their amazing facilities but Latymer is by far closer to where we live (vs. Highgate), as we live in Kensington.
Would urgently like to collect any possible view / comments / experiences on those two schools.
Any help appreciated.

Thanks ladies!!

They're all excellent schools so really you're spoiled for choice there, there's no wrong answer. There's this recent thread about Highgate which may be of interest https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4994966-highgate-school-culture

Highgate does have more space like you say and is perhaps a little more sporty than the others although of course Latymer has an excellent rowing programme with it's location. Does your DS have a preference (I know he's too little to fully make the decision himself and he'll probably base it on something silly like the colour of the playground but it's nice for them to feel they're involved)? TBH all other things being equal I'd go for the closer school so that would incline me to Latymer. Kensington to Highgate is a long way to go every day for a 7 year old.

Both great schools. Depends on what matters to you - highgate seems to be more nurturing school, putting more emphasis on pastoral care. Also new GSCE policy of Latymer might be of concern.

Thanks very much for your comment.
i am curious to see why the new GCSE policy (the abolished of it) is a concern.
I see it as just better, as GCSE is a non sense exam for kids that will do A Level anyway. Also UK is the only place in the works there there is an exam at 16 and then another one at 18. Taking out the exam allows not to spend 1 year doing mocks and can study better and more in depth for A Level.
Also in term of size Highgate Junior has 6 classes per year, while Latymer Prep only 2. So Latymer prep is less than half the size of Highgate Junior. So if nurturing is also measured on attention to each child I would say that probably the smaller the school the better.
what do you think?

Well - competitive universities do look at GSCE score at the moment, so it is a risk on what will going to happen and if/how the system will adjust. As for the class size, I think the more important factors determining the care is the culture of the school and the staff.

Got, thanks very much for you comment.
Went to visit them both again yesterday and today morning.
In term of prep I would say facilities wise Highgate is amazing. Latymer, given the size, I more nurturing but prep very small.
It levels up in Senior school as both have very much comparing facilities.
GCSE wise I think for the university I am targeting (top league in US), GCSE is totally irrelevant as no one outside UK has it at all. What is privileged is the depth and broader of the personal experiences.
Possibly for Oxbridge is different, but they are not my target.
Had a zoom call with headmaster of senior in Highgate yesterday as they are thinking to reform GCSE as well as the rest of the top private schools.
Latymer and Bedales just happen to be the first, but the others will follow soon :-)

Lots of discussion on this in the Primary Education forum, such as this: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/primary/4997314-highgate-vs-latymer-7?page=2
Good luck x

@RobyG thx for your comments on the Senior school facilities between Latymer and Highgate. Very helpful as we're evaluating DS' Highgate Junior and City offers and they didn't arrange any visit to Highgate Senior school. Do you have any additional feedback on your Latymer Upper visit (eg additional comment on the GCSE reform, apart from what was said on the website link they sent to everyone?). DS is on reserve list for Latymer Prep.

Pls let me know if you prefer to PM. Thanks.

Hi,
Great you had offers and hope you’ve selected it.
i wanted to check how you prepped for 7+ entry?
thanks in advance