St Hilda's Bushey

[alexw]

Anyone any experience? What's it like? Does it prepare girls for 11+ well? Also, the nursery?? Thanks

Bump

We considered St Hilda's for DD. It have only heard good things about it and the girls seem to get into great schools at 11. I also liked that they have decent wrap around care and I think that the new daycare nursery is a positive addition. However, our main reservation was that they have had a big drop in numbers over the last few years and I was concerned that if that continued it would not be financially viable. It became part of the Aldenham foundation last year, which reassured us slightly that it would be able to sustain lower numbers. Their accounts are all on the charity commission website. My guess is that if they couldn't sustain the school as an independent entity they would merge with Aldenham but it was a bit too much of a risk for us to take.

Have you considered St Margaret's?

I'm a mum at St Hilda's, and I was a little concerned about the merge with Aldenham, but I don't think it's likely to happen in the near future. The new Head is amazing, she has really brought the numbers up and has brought in so many fantastic ideas. I didn't really like St Margaret's and don't think they push them very hard at 11+ (they want them to stay on, rather than go on to the prestigious schools.) At St Hilda's I really trust that the teachers have brought the best out of my daughter and that she has great options at 11+.