St. Michael's Highgate

[DreamingMum]

Hi wise mums,

My DD has been accepted at St. Micheal's as we are relocating to Highgate soon (Y2). I visited the school once and I found it has a lot of outdoor space and looks happy but then I read some threads which were not so positive.
Has anyone direct experience with the school and can give me feedback/advices? It would be really appreciated!

I have children there who are happy and seem to be doing well. It is strong academically- a big cohort of above average children. But lots of emphasis on out of doors play - daily mile, lots of sports and so on. A vast collection of clubs, at extra cost, from fencing to coding- have a look at the timetable on the website. Nice community around the school with the SMSA and church links. Some lovely traditions- children wear their own clothes on their birthday and Easter Bonnet parade to church. In the juniors, the afternoons are on a two week timetable and each teacher specialises, so science, music, extra English, art, French are taught by more specialist teachers. Core subjects are covered by the class teacher in the morning.

Parents worry a bit about where next: Highgate is beyond the last distance of most of the local state schools so the children end up at lots of different schools afterwards.

Other schools locally seem well regarded too - Highgate Primary and Whitehall Park.

Thanks Iwantawhippet, that is very reassuring. I believe what I value most for the primary school is the pastoral care; academics are also important for me. Great to hear there are some nice traditions and good community as it is surely something we looking forward to join.

Thanks!

It's a lovely school.

Hello,
I hope someone is still reading this thread. My son is to start reception in September 2019. I am hesitating between putting St Joseph's RC in Highgate and St Michael's CoE as my first choice. My son is already at the nursery at St Joseph's but I have just been to an open day at St Michael's and was very impressed. Which one of this school might be better academically and also in any other way? Thank you for your insight.

hello,
Following!
We'd really appreciate parents view on St Michael's. Thank you!

St Michael’s is a much more middle-class school - a sizeable proportion go private or state selective for secondary. Almost all those kids will be tutored, so bear that in mind when comparing academic results.

My younger dc went to St Josephs, and I think it’s a fabulous school - they get amazing results with a much less privileged intake.