North London Girls Private School

[SkylarCampanelli]

Hi we've recently moved into the Highgate area and I'm looking at private schools in the local area for my dd's (2 and 6 months). I know it's a while away but I think it's best to be prepared early. My ds is currently attending UCS and I quite like their ethos. Do any of you know how SHHS or Channing compare to it? If not, any other schools with a similar vibe? I wasn't a fan of Highgate school - very uniform. Has NBH improved in recent years?

Also, what is their 4+ process like?

Have a nice evening

any opinions??

SHHS certainly used to be the “counterpart” to UCS - they are sister/brother schools. Not sure what it’s like now but used to be quite liberal in the same was as UCS.

What is it that you like about UCS? This would help people to recommend similar schools

@hibbledibble I like the amount of pastoral support UCS provides and the fact that it has a good balance of academics and sports/music and drama etc. It's not super intense yet the school still yields fabulous results. My only concern about SHHS is that many people regard it to be very rigorous and a 'hothouse'. I don't want my dd's to be under that much pressure. However Channing's grounds aren't as good.

My elder DD(6) is at Channing and we're very happy with it. Excellent pastoral care, great range of subjects, lovely teachers. Love the focus on Spanish and forest school. Also you could consider the Avenue which all my children attended / are attending as a preschool.

Why don't you go with Hampstead Hill School and then decide at 7+ which schools would best suit them? I think its hard to decide when they are 2/3!

My experience of SHHS is that it is indeed a bit of a hot house and the pastoral care is poor, as their priority is academic results first and foremost, so I agree it may not suit you.

Weirdly, whilst I agree with it being academically focused from my experience of children who go there the pastoral care has been exceptional