Please can anyone share their experiences of prep school in hertfordshire

[Grace16]

Looking at both independent and state schools near me and wondered if anyone could share their thoughts and experiences of schools fairly close to goffs oak. Happy to travel and considering moving to other places in hertfordshire. Want my little girl to have a happy, supportive school environment and like independent schools but I went to one myself and I fear that some are pushy and I don't want her to be in that sort of environment. Just would love her to go to a nice, good school. I know it's hard to recommend as all children are different so their needs vary but would love to hear mums experiences. Manor lodge, stormont, vita et pax, goffs oak, Hertford and ware schools xxxxxx

Sorry for jumping in but I'd like to know too!
I've heard sherrardswood not great and Heath mount pretty good.

Heathmount has an excellent reputation. There's also St Joseph's in the Park. I am curious to know about Sherradswood as well.

Thank you so much xx

St Francis College prep? Where in Hertfordshire are you. It's good not to have too much of a commute and nice to have local friends.

Thank you xx I'm at goffs oak at the moment but want to move. Difficult as my son has to get to work at Gordon hill station but want to move to somewhere further out with nice schools xx

Lots go to St Edmunds from your area but it is Catholic if that would be an issue. Heathmount is commutable as is St Josephs. It depends on what you are after.

Thank you xx just would like a school environment which isn't pushy and looks at all the individual child's needs. Just want her to have a happy school life and good education but not feel pressure as I don't believe children should xx

All of the above are great on pastoral care but ultimately Heathmount and St Josephs do prepare the children for future schools whereas St Edmunds go through to A Level and if you are there early enough entry to Senior School is more or less guaranteed so maybe less pressure.

Thank you so so much xxx

Manor lodge is quite competitive and academic. Stormont is much smaller, gentler environment. Very different kind of schools-- depends on what you're looking for as a parent.

Distance is important. When they're little, you really don't want to sit in that tedious traffic after school.

Good luck.

Thank you. Not sure if I prefer mixed schools. However, stormont is definitely one to think about. St josephs in the park I'm very interested in seeing about. Not sure whether it's best to move to Hertford though or stay put because it's only 20 mins away from goffs oak but I don't want her to be left out if all her friends live in Hertford! Manor lodge doesn't sound at all what I'm looking for then. Definitely would like a more gentler environment xxxx

Lots of pupils at Heathmount from Goffs Oak way. And Broxbourne, Hertford etc.

Gorgeous school. Tougher academically since the new headmaster though.

Thank you so much. Really good to know. Just worried I've left it to late to put her name down. Definitely going to look at Heathmount, Stormont and St Josephs in the Park. Just incase, I was wondering about the state schools and if anyone has any experience of ones in Hertford or goffs oak. Thank you all for your kind messages xxx

Heathmount might be full by The Park ususally have spaces, how old is she? X

Thank you xx she is 20 months xxx

Bloody hell you have got all the time in the world but it's worth just rocking up on open days which take place this time of year and registering at ones you like the feel of xx

Xxxx thank goodness. Thank you ever so much xxxxx

It's not like the London Schools you have tons of time and spend the next year or so at your leisure getting a feel for all of the schools you like the look of xx

Thank you so much xxxx will do xxxx

Heathmount is nice but don't expect your child to get into any decent senior schools at 11+ or 13+ without hiring an army of tutors and paying them on top of the £18K a year HM charge... Ask them about their approach to teaching and teachers background/experienced. Most top schools will have this info on their web sites, Heathmount doesn't...Why? It's not difficult to work out.

have you thought about Habs? despite their amazing academic results they are very nurturing in the younger years and then you won't have the stress of the 11+. worth a shot.