PRIMARY SCHOOL HARPENDEN

[SaraandCatherinestales]

Hi everyone. Really need some help here as I've read all threads Harpenden related and I'm super confused.

We are moving in April so no idea where exactly as we will be renting for a couple of years before buying.

My daughter is now in year one at a private school In London with only 14 kids. I'm trying to make the move as smooth as possible and I would really love some advice.

Now I see only High Beeches, St Nicholas (but we are not catholic) and the Manland might have space. Any thoughts on those?

We are not considering st. Hilda only because I have a soon too and I don't want them in different schools in the future.

THANK YOU!

Hello

I am also moving to Harpenden from London in April and looking to rent, until we know the area. If it's an in year application, you need to look on the schools vacancy lists - what year do you need for your son? St Nicolas is not Catholic - it's C of E - St Dominicas is the Catholic school, so you might have a chance now ;-)!
Let me know how you get on?

PS If you can get into Manland I would absolutely take it - I went to look round there in summer and the facilities are fantastic. Unfortunately they don't; have space in the years I need for my 2 boys :-(

If state schools don’t pan out then both Beechwood Park Prep and Westbrook Hay Prep are both co-Ed and have several children who live in Harpenden on the roll.

My kids are at a different school but all of those three have really good reputations (as do all the schools in harpenden tbh) but if you’re not thinking about a move till April then some/all of them may well not have a space then, so I’d be a bit wary about setting your heart on a particular place now!

Reception intake last year for St Nick’s was unusually low so they may do, but waiting lists in general move around a lot. their intake is smaller but their classes are mixed years (has both benefits and drawbacks in my view), Manland is 1 form entry, not sure about high beeches.

You’d be better off holding fire until a bit nearer the time-then going to see where there are vacancies and deciding which would be best for your children. Best fit for them and also where you are living (school run traffic is pretty crappy so you may not want/be able to do a drive across town 2x per day for example).

Don’t panic tho-it’s a relatively low birth year so there will be places, just 6 months out not sure where...