Co-ed Primary Highgate (N6) or Thomas's (SW11)

[JBug]

Hello! Does anyone have experience/friends with knowledge of both Highgate School (N6) and Thomas's Battersea (SW11) for a girl? We would prefer a co-ed pre-prep and we are open to moving near either. The advantage of Highgate is that it goes to 18, whereas Thomas's goes only to 11/13. Can anyone else compare contrast? I have this slight impression that Thomas's might be a bit better academically than Highgate, and perhaps equally or better in terms of music/sport etc. They both seem to have nice facilities but Highgate has more green space. This is not based on a lot other than school visits, senior schools where children go after Thomas's. Can anyone help on this?

The other difference is that Highgate does 3+ vs Thomas's 4+. So if we get offered a place at Highgate we would have to decide before hearing back from Thomas's I think?

Thank you!

Hi, I can't help with St T Battersea. All I can tell you is that Highgate Pre prep is very over subscribed and a very desirable school for north London families. I havent heard anything other than glowing reports academically - I know they start reading in nursery for example (but then I have no experience of the Battersea school to compare with). Offers for Pre prep sent out feb with a week or two to respond. Given the high applicant to places of highgate, maybe try both schools? Anything else, pls ask !

thank you! I just wondered if one gets into Highgate, is it worth passing up Thomas's? Thomas's seems to get glowing reports.

How will the travel work out for you? They are quite far apart!

we will move to near either one - we are flexible.

You need to think backwards from where you'd like her to go to secondary school. Thomas's has very good leavers destinations, and the kids do seem to do very well there. It has a reputation of being tough to get into, but I'm not sure if that's hype or not.

Look at leavers destinations, visit the schools (more than once if you need to) and go with your gut. Will you need to move either way?

we need to move anyway, so we might as well be near her school. So basically are you saying, if Highgate, then secondary school is Highgate only (not necc bad choice, and one avoids 11+ exams?), but if Thomas's (or similar), one has more choice of secondary schools (but also no guarantees)?

I'd avoid 11+ and go for Highgate. Have friends there who are very happy (and in fact declined Westminster for their DS in order to take offer at Highgate). Don't underestimate the 11+ stress and panic.....! Thomass doesn't always get glowing reports - it gets glowing reports for the right child (but that's true of all schools) - your DD needs to be outgoing, go getting, feisty, bold to thrive at Thomass. I know some parents at various Thomass that are "meh" about it as their children have been pushed into the background by the more outgoing types. Having said that they are moving onto a variety of secondaries from v academic to less so, which are the right fit for their children. Beware the extras aswell....football tour to Brazil, rugby tour to Kenya etc etc its £££ (I realise you have a DD - this is to illustrate).

Good luck!

thank you. I see what you mean. I was just a bit worried about Highgate, as it doesnt seem to have as great A-level etc results as some of the other top schools. St Pauls Girls, NCLS, South Hamp (but these are all girls I realise)

If you have your eye on specific secondaries, thenm see which school feeds into them. Of course, things do change over time but it will give you an idea of where the children go to. See where the 11 and 13+ kids go to after Highgate too. If they are flocking off, then make your choice with a secondary in mind.