Hampstead Hill vs Devonshire House and The Phoenix

[Merls17]

Hi everyone,
DS is 23 months old and has been offered a place at Hampstead Hill starting in September, it sounds like a lovely place, but I also really liked Devonshire House and The Phoenix, however they don't offer places until May and September respectively - by which time I will have to make a decision on whether to accept the Hampstead Hill place. I just wondered if any of you have experience of these schools and what your thoughts were? Thanks!

a few questions?

Do you work? Hampstead Hill would be the best option as i think they are available 50 weeks a year.

What are your target senior schools?

Which is closest?

I personably would accept Hampstead Hill and forgo the deposit if he got into the Phoenix. It is really hard to get into the Phoenix if you have no prior relationship with UCS. And once he is in you are sorted all the way through.

But it is too much of a risk to hold on for the possibility of an offer

And when you think about how much you are going to spend on school fees through his school career, the deposit is a drop in the ocean.

Hi, yes I do work, although I have a daughter due in July so will be off on maternity for 6 months again. they are both equidistant from where we live.
I have heard that lots of kids from HH go to UCS which attracts me to it as that would be my first choice as his next school, but sounds like Phoenix is a better entry point, although they don't guarantee a place all the way through I understand it's preferential. I just don't want to move him about too much!

In that case definitely accept HH and see how it goes with the Phoenix.

I know it's a lot of money to say goodbye to, but you can't count on getting into the Phoenix.

I wouldn't both with Devonshire if your aim is UCS. They won't prepare him in the way that HH will for the 7+.

Yes I think you're right, thanks - decision made!