Heath Mount v. Duncombe School Herts

[Couscous999]

Hi we are looking at independent schools for our DD who is 3 with a view to her starting in September 18. We’ve looked round them, discounted St Joseph’s in the Park in Hertingfordbury (it just didn’t feel right for her.)

I was wondering if anyone at either Heath Mount or Duncombe could give me their personal views please? We’re only looking at these two now with a view to where we live and Work and ease of getting and collecting her.

TIA

Thanks HagueBlue2018 she’s 3 so hoping she’ll be academic but who knows! What school to send her to seems such a hard decision so any insider tips on either school is great.

They are very different schools in that the leaving age is different and lots of children from Duncombe go state whereas most from Heathmount go on to other Independents.

Duncombe is quite similar to St Joseph’s, what was it that didn’t feel right?

Heathmount has by far the best reputation locally but it depends on what you want.

Thanks for your messages. Girls leave Heath Mount at 11 the same as Duncombe it’s only the boys that leave at 13. Ideally we’d like her to stay in the independent sector for secondary but I know many locally are admission tested so I hope that would be an option. I want her to be pushed so that that academically she does the best that she can do but so that school is also a fun enjoyable place to be.

Girls dont leave Heathmount at 11 where did you get that from? A lot of my friends daughters are doing Common Entrance this year???

My friends children go to Heath mount and my friend has told me she feels one child would have been better off in state school. They have dyslexia and has received zero help from the school.

It's very academic and it seems they are only interested in kids that can achieve.

Her other child's done fine there. But again she could have done anywhere.

I also know some families who are disappointed with both schools particularly Duncome, they always seem to places these days.

I thought that’s what they said but I must have it wrong, it makes sense as why would boys and girls leave at different times! Thanks looking at both again this week so can clear that up.

Thanks for your help everyone. We are booked to go and see both again this week so hopefully we’ll get a feeling either way. I’ll ask about dyslexia provisions etc because it’s too early to know if that may be an issue for us and i’ll Speak to them about the leaving age. I must have got 11 for girls from somewhere or maybe i’ve Just confused it in my mind asthe other 2 independents were 11.

Generally Independents are not great for any SEN but Heathmount did used to be one of the better ones, it seems now that it has become more academic. You will certainly have to pay a huge amount on top off fees should a problem arise and extra support is needed with any Independent school.