Local private school or good private school in North London?

[koalagg]

We bought a house in Palmers Green 2 years ago without considering about schools. Now we have a daughter 14 months old and have to think about which school to send her. Luckily our home is close to Palmers Green high school, we liked it after viewing, but quite concerned about no outside space at all. Alice nursery on a different site attached to the school accepts girls from 3+ non-selectively and a place will be secured in Reception, but the nursery hasn't impressed us... We started to think about sending her to good private schools in Highgate or Hampstead area, like Highgate, Channing, SHHS, St Christopher's, etc. Considering these schools are very hard to get into, currently we tend to more focus on the (pre-) prep schools, which prepare kids for the assessments at 7+ or 11+, like Hampstead Hill, the Avenue, Annemount, Mulberry house for 7+ or Heathside prep school, the Village for 11+. However the problems are 1) long journey (at least 20mins one way, if no traffic jam on north circular), 2) uncertainty of getting a place in the future. If the pre-prep schools are really good, nurturing and preparing kids well for assessments, we would like to move home closer. Just not sure if all these are worthwhile, and giving up our current condition (5 min walking distance to the fine independent girls school, pghs). Could you please give me some idea what you would do if you were in my shoes? Any advice or comments will be very appreciated! Thank you!

Im not sure whether you think PGHS is worthwhile? You say you arent happy with the nursery and that it has no outside space? If you would be happy with it, I would say stick where you are as you are too far from all the pre preps listed. Most of the families who attend live very close/within a couple of miles max (also, the schools prefer closer children, annemount say a max of 4 miles, The Avenue give pref to those living closer). It matters for social reasons too. Even with a 30 min journey, thats 2 hours in the car a day for you/some one else. Its just too far when they are that small. If you really want a hampstead/highgate school not PGHS, then Id put your name down for these schools with the intent of moving, if possible

I agree with Maroush. The schools you list woud be tricky because of the commute for sure, but also include friendships, parties, clubs etc. Personally I wouldn't sign up for it.

Bar ourside space, what did you think of PGHS?

Thank you Maroush and LePetit for your inputs! All make sense.

Re PGHS, everything is in one building, compact and well managed. Pupils are happy and enjoy what they are doing in classes. Teachers are nice too, friendly and experienced. The art works displayed in the hallway are impressive. We haven't seen other school so far, no comparison. The school doesn't have sixth form but it is not a issue for the girls, cause they studied so well that they were able to go to their first choice school as we were told.