St Hilda's, St Margaret's, York House, Edgegrove & RMS

[CoffeeRocks]

Be great to know your thoughts/ current experiences with these schools (from reception onwards).

I'm not looking for an exam factory but equally if I'm paying significant sums of money I'd want a return for that in terms of a well rounded child achieving decent results. Any comments on results at these schools?

What proportion of girls are getting into Watford Grammar from any of these schools?

For St H & St M (although know about to change to co-ed) how are you finding sending your child to an all girls school - I'm trying to decide if better option than co-ed for girls?
How do they deal with girls being left out/ bullied (given girls are more inclined to exclude & hold a grudge)?

I've read some comments on Mumsnet and elsewhere about some of these schools being second rate. Would be great to hear your thoughts.

St Margaret’s and RMS are all through schools so if you want 11+ prep for grammar schools you’ll almost certainly have to do this yourself outside school.

York House consistently sends children to grammar schools and actively prepares children for the exams. Edge Grove sends the odd couple but I think this more reflects parental choice for private at 11 and 13+. Both schools consistently send children to top academic independent schools.

I personally would avoid St Hilda’s. It is a lovely school with great results but with just 16 girls in each year group it could lead to friendship issues. There’s just not enough girls there.

I wouldn’t describe any of these schools as second rate. They operate in an area with competition from Habs, NLCS, St Albans High and Northwood College. These are considered the “top” schools but they are all highly selective. All of the schools on your list frequently send girls to these schools at 11 so they are doing just as well. It’s just they cater to a wider audience.

Remember too that no matter how much money you spend, no school can make an average child a genius. They should give them a love of learning and enable them to teach their potential.

Thanks for such a detailed response Zodlebud. Out of interest do you have children at any of these schools?
Totally agree on giving children a love of learning - would also be interested to know if these schools curriculums / support services are evolving to support this e.g. new techniques linked to educational psychology, curriculum mastery, interesting technologies and mental health/ anti-bullying provisions

Have sent you a PM