North London prep schools- help please!

[angelpuffs]

Hello everyone
I'm new to mumsnet and would really appreciate some advice from people with experience of private schools for 4+ entry.
My May born DD will be due to enter school in sept 2017 at age 4 and we'd like to sit her for the assessments at NLCS, SHHS and Channing. We've applied to SHHS already, and looked at NLCS last week (and loved it). I know how hard all these schools are to get into, and initially I wanted to sit her for a back up school- we were thinking of Grimsdell. However we've decided that, instead of Grimsdell, the best thing would be to try for a small prep school which would be able to prepare her well for 7+ or 11+ entry to a good school, rather than her be at Mill Hill which is not great academically (so I've heard).
I'd love to hear opinions on any good prep schools that don't require the child to be registered from birth- I'm looking at St Christophers in Hampstead soon but don't like the idea of the staggered entry in reception and year 1 that they have there. Anyone know anything about Hampstead Hill school? I'm also looking at Norfolk house in Muswell hill but it's first come first served there, and non selective. It's so confusing! All advice would be welcomed.
Feel free to suggest anywhere else I haven't mentioned. We live in East Finchley so anywhere within reasonable distance of there.
Thanks xx

On a slightly different note, anyone on here with daughters at any of the top schools- NLCS, Habs, Channing, SHHS or any others? How would you describe your daughters personality?I'm trying to get an idea of what kind of girl those schools are looking for. Obviously I understand that academic ability is key- but hoping to shed light on other things that are important.... Thanks

I don't think you can really stereotype but I'd say NLCS girls are quietly confident and focussed (even at age 4) whereas Habs girls tend to be more extrovert and extremely inquisitive. They are both fabulous schools but they do tend to take completely different types of girls.

Interesting- thanks for that. I know it must be impossible to put every girl in one box or another but any general observations might be useful. What about schools like channing? X

Word on the street when I did it was that NLCS and Habs had an informal deal whereby Habs took more summer borns and NLCS more winter borns at 4 and then habs picked up winter borns at the 5+. May have been just rumour! And of course habs don't do 5+ any more. I know someone at SHHS, 80% of the class are born between September and December, it causes chaos for parties.

Hi, I've lost track of the thread a bit, but if I were you I'd be inclined to go for maybe 3-4 schools you'd love but might find it hard to get in to, 1-2 easier ones and 1-2 backup....

Btw, which St Margarets did you mean, the Bushey one or the other?

I'd maybe do....
1st choices Habs, NLCS, SHHS, Channing
Easier ones Devonshire House / Edge Grove? / St Mags Bushey? / Radlett Prep if you're willing to go out that far? mind gone blank regarding others nearer by you!
Backups Belmont / Hendon Prep.

Thanks Needanadulttotalkto. I meant st Margarets in Hampstead. Radlett and budget are too far really.
We are going with the schools you suggested for 1st choice but hard to get into. Considering Annemount and st Margarets for 2nd choice- not sure if they count as backup or if they're more academic than that- haven't seen them yet but have heard good things.
Everyone mentions Devonshire house- what is that like?
X

I'd count any school which doesn't publish its transfer list as a 2nd tier (Annemount et al) from an academic point of view. Doesn't mean it won't be the right fit for your daughter but not top of the heap academically.

Angelpuffs
Charter house Square is financially selective.

Devonshire house would make a very good second tier choice. Lots to recommend it. Happy, bustling, professional staff, nice head. Definitely book a viewing.

Thanks all. Charter house square is out. Don't like the idea of the ballot and it's the wrong direction for us!
Devonshire house now on my list. How do SHHS and channing compare to NLCS and Habs? We are registered already for SHHS (applications for sept 2017 entry are now closed) but understand their assessments will be in November 2016 rather than January 2017.

I would say in order of difficulty, HABS hardest, then NLCS & SHHS, easiest Channing? But I don't have a lot of info so stand to be corrected.

Thanks nightsky. What are people's opinions/experiences of kids getting into the top schools from non feeder nurseries? Is it just wishful thinking....? Please share any info you have on which nurseries kids got in from and which schools they went to. Thanks

For the schools you are talking about, I don't think there are any nurseries that are really 'feeders'. I only have experience of Habs and NLCS and I really don't think they cared which nurseries my DC had been at. They don't take references from nursery and I think it ultimately comes down to a bit of luck and the dirt of mood your DD is in on the day.

That should say "sort of mood your DD is in on the day".

Thanks. Though the owner of my nursery and NLCS both said they did ask for reports from the nursery. I meant more in terms of the preparation that individual nurseries do with the children rather than the schools caring. Would imagine the nurseries that make a point of preparing kids for the 4+ assessments get more of them in! My daughters nursery isn't one of those....

I'd say you need every advantage you can get for entry and therefore the sensible option is to shoehorn them in to the school by attending the schools own nursery first, if you can get a place. Obviously kiss do get in from other nurseries, but it's a bit harder.

^ kids!

Thanks nightsky. Though as far as I'm aware, NLCS, SHHS and channing don't have a school nursery! I didn't know about all this before I enrolled my DD in her current nursery, but am now reluctant to move her, even though it's not a crammer like Hampstead hill, broadhurst etc.

Montessori House in Muswell Hill used to do a good job of prepping for the 4+ and sends a good number of girls to the schools your looking at. They have been bought by Norfolk House but still might do the job.

Ah! My mistake :-) I have no idea about nurseries I'm afraid.

No worries Nightsky- I had no idea about nurseries either until recently. Monsterdecookie- we actually were offered a place at Montessori house but turned it down because they don't guarantee you a place in the nursery (age 3-5) from the infant community (2-3) and we thought it would be too disruptive to move my daughter. But they seemed very good and I liked the setting there.

No personal knowledge of Montessori house, but since they were bought by Norfolk house I wonder how much they will prep for 4+ or just want you to go through to NH?

Yes- that crossed my mind too. Though they do stress that the application process for the school is completely separate to that if the nursery.

How far is the drive from Golders Green to Habs? Is it doable in peak rush school run time?

Also is it madness for me to consider driving them to school in Hammersmith/Holland Park area from North London?

Golders Green to Habs is fine, need to leave about 7.40