Devonshire vs Hampstead Hill - 7+ vs 13+

[HeidieNW3]

Dear all,

My son has just been offered places at Devonshire and Hampstead hill to start in September in the nursery (2+).

Both schools are obviously very different in style but also Hampstead hill focuses on the 7+ Preparation while Devonshire prepares for 13+.

We have already formed a view on the style / facilities of both schools etc but we struggle to compare the academic results as general entrance at different ages and the data offered by HH and Devonshire are hardly comparable (only number of places offered for HH so includes double counting vs number of children effectively going to the schools for Devonshire, also don't know the number of children sitting in the exams)

Would be most helpful if you could share your views on this aspect specifically. As a lot of parents, we'd love our son to join UCS, Highgate or another top school (if right for our son and that only time will tell) and we would like to maximise our chances....

Thanks a lot in advance for your input

The key is what school you are aiming for later. A school that goes to 13 and does common entrance will not want you to leave at 11. Some make you commit to paying fees up to 13 even if you leave and some won't give a reference at 11. If you go to HHS and get in somewhere good at 7 then you are sorted until 18 and don't have to worry about the 11+ and CE madness. Think Highgate, UCS, Habs, various schools in Mill Hill. But if the senior school you want starts at 13 then you'd be better at a school that prepares for CE.

doesn't directly answer your question but hope that is a bit helpful!