Lyonsdown Barnet vs Radlett prep

[Gericom123]

Dear Parents.. we are new to the area and considering sending our DD to either one of these schools.
Keen to get an insight into both these schools- pros and cons and if possible from Parents of children currently attending either of these schools. I do also understand they are both very different I've done some research and appears as though radlett prep is quite academic.
Do Lyonsdown also get good academic results for their girls? Any insight would massively help us!
Any insight on assessments? Thank you 😊

Anyone on here that can provide any insight ?!

This is a late response to this thread @Gericom123 , but hopefully parents considering Lyonsdown read this and make an informed decision.

I have a daughter at Lyonsdown curently and wish I had been more selective. Many students have left the school in the 1.5 years we have been there for various reasons. The school was previously over-subcribed but now many classes are under-capacity, particularly in the older years. From what I understand from parents of children who have been there longer, the school has gone downhill since returning from lockdown. The ISI review is from from pre-lockdown. Changes in leadership and running of the school since then have not had good outcomes.

On the positive side, the school is very clean and the lunches and snacks served are nutritious and of good quality.

On the negative side, the school grounds are very small in comparison to other schools in the area. This is fine for early years who don't need the space, but older students have to take coaches out of the school and back to access playing space for PE. This is worth noting because the unpredictability of traffic means pick up times rarely run to schedule. Practically, if you work outside the home or have a child at another school this will negatively impact your scheduling.

The quality of the education is mediocre. There are specialist teachers for each subject which prepares students for the format of secondary school teaching, which I think is a benefit, but other primaries also use this format in older years. There has not been a subject or teacher that has stood out as amazing but my daughter does the work assigned and likes it well enough. Students have left the school becasue they did not think Lyonsdown was the right path to their secondary school of choice, which is worrying.

Safeguarding is below my expectations. There have been incidents of bullying as with any school, but from what I have experienced the school staff are defensive and unhelpful when asked about solutions and prevention for experiences with my own child and when asking about incidents my child has witnessed.

On balance, I would advise to look at other schools over Lysondown for your daughter, there are many options in the area. Now that my daughter is settled we are weighing up the disruption of moving her vs. the underwhelming quality of the school.

Really helpful insight @Mimama2012 and really glad I did go for a much more selective prep school.

I had fallen in love with the school itself in terms of the building, it really was an immaculate school and I loved the school lunches when I toured the school. All the positive things you've mentioned above I would echo too as just a visitor/prospective parent.

I decided against the school for reasons you have sort of mentioned above. When I spoke with the leadership team I felt they weren't prepping the girls for secondary school/11+ as well as the other prep schools in the area do. The approach was really relaxed and on numerous accounts I was told they only start prepping in year 5 despite me prompting what other schools do. I also never got a breakdown of 11+ outcomes despite directly asking. It was always a cumulative figure from number of years.

I also know a parent who moved their daughter and others who report that the school just does not seem stable and many are unhappy.

Furthermore it really frustrates me that bullying allegations and incidents are not taken seriously. I can forgive to an extent the academic and prepping for 11+ but primary school aged children should not be subjected to unkindness and bullying. Grossly unacceptable and hope you would consider escalating this to another committee or the appropriate channels. It really saddens me schools that do not take steps to make this better.
Fees also are not cheap and hence I would feel and expect more investment in pastoral care and advocate improved behaviors and resources to promoting kindness and well-being.

Hi @Gericom123 @Mimama2012 for the post . I have just started doing my search for my daughter and I was considering Lyonsdown and will keep your message in mind, when I visit them in Feb. I read the recent report which was done in 2022 and seemed they have highlighted lack of leadership towards incidents , probably looks its a big concern, in spite of being such a small school . @Gericom123 could you please share which school did you go for . and any other names you suggest us to visit. We currently do not stay in the area and are an hour away and my daughter is currently in year 3 and she would join the new school in Sep 2024.

I didn't choose Lyonsdown despite loving the building and general school feel. I'm glad I didn't as eventually came to learn several parents who pulled their girls out. My main reason at the time however was due to lack of 11+ prep and structure. School refused to show breakdowns of figures to destination Senior schools, prep started around year 5 which unfortunately unless child is super bright does not provide adequate time. Most prep schools start around year 3 but definitely ramp up by year 4. It really depends on what you are looking for in a school. Lyonsdown was non selective so ultimately depends on what it is that is your preference? Also head clearly told me during the tour if you have concerns always address it with class teacher almost seemed senior leadership team didn't want to know or get involved with serous concerns so possibly coincides with report you mention which i think is terrible on their part. Shying away from issues. Other local schools to consider would be radlett prep, orley farm ( Harrow) but a fantastic all rounded school I know several parents/children there, possibly consider st Hildas too if you want single sex prep.

Hi @Anukab - I can only advise to avoid Lyonsdown. The recent review and @Gericom123 comments are accurate about school leadership and poor student retention.

The leadership team do not take any actions to improve when issues are raised, so the school continues it’s downward trajectory. Teachers continue to leave. As I said originally I wish I had been more discerning. Mediocre results are one negative that can be remedied by extra tutoring (which many students opt for), but poor pastoral care is completely school dependent and falls far short of expectations.

Good luck with your search. In addition to the alternative schools mentioned, Salcombe Prep is another in the area you might consider visiting.

@Gericom123 @Mimama2012 I am coming back to this old post and just wanted to check if either of you have any different feedback. Post this discussion, i started doing my search on Radleet, do either of you familiar with radleet and share some insights.
I am looking for strong academics and the leavers look good , though conscious if this is because external tutios or is the 11+ prep really good in school.
secondly they had few changes in head in last 3-4 years- i understand current one is the 3rd head

@Mimama2012 I know you mentioned you were continuing in Lyonsdown, few months ago, have you moved or if still any change in school in last 6 months.

I will really appreciate if both of yiu can respond as its last week for us to make a decision.

Hi @Anukab what year are you applying your child for ? And for which school do you only have this week to make the decision. I was not too happy with Lyonsdown approach to the 11+ prep it was near enough lack of and head at the time didn't seem to make it a priority till y5 if that even. Perhaps the other parent can give a better and more accurate picture. I think all schools that are preps the parents do end up tutoring. Have you visited both schools that should give you a good feel and help decide which values and vibes align with what your outcomes and goals are and where your daughter im assuming will thrive?

Sorry @Anukab just scrolled up you have a daughter in year 3. Have you visited both schools.. are you now local to both schools. And what is your main reason for change.. are you relocating from a different area, you moving from a selective prep school? All things to consider when child moving part way.
Just be clear in your mind what you liked about each school and where do you think your daughter will strive. I do know neighbours and friends who have had their kids at likes of Radlett/Edgegrove and Manor Lodge all generally happy but I feel parents are best judge.

Hi all and @Gericom123
We are moving schools as we are relocating in and around Barnet from Berkshire , and hence choosing a new school. We have visited both the schools and have some feel but strong enough to say exactly which schools works for us.

Lyonsdown – Pros - Location Works better for us. When we met the school we felt 11 + focus was there and academics according to the books we saw looked to be good standards. Art is very good
Cons – Girls only , very limited after school Clubs and don’t see a vision that they plan to increase that. Not sure how much is the opportunity for sports ( I know they go a full afternoon to external location for games and 1 Pe – but not sure how much do they participate in fixtures and competitions. Leavers destinations is ok

Radlett – pros – Co-ed , good choice of extra curricular activities from 3.3—4.30. Looks a huge focus on sports. Education I have heard is good in general and school has a good reputation but I couldn’t judge the academics during the tour as it was very busy.
Cons – for us travel time increases, classes looked to be very cramped, very boy heavy, the year group I am looking had only 3 or 4 girls in each class. Leavers destinations are good, though I don’t seen HBS (grammar ) and neither NLCS in either f the schools.

So I am hoping people can add points which I have missed to have the right comparison and to differentiate.

Hi Anukab,

My opinions haven’t changed since my previous post, nothing to add. I would avoid Lyonsdown. Your insights are all correct I would also reiterate, as per my previous post that having to travel away for PE is not a good. While they could add afternoon activities, they can’t expand the grounds so they will always have to use other schools fields and facilities. If the only real pro for Lyonsdown is convenience, you need to decide if that’s worth a subpar experience for your child.

Good luck!

Thank you @Mimama2012 for confirming and reiterating the views. And I appreciate you taking the time to revert to me. I think I know my answer very clear now. If I am correct is your daughter in current Year 5.I happened to speak to another family yesterday in Year 5 and she too had a really tough time.

Thank you everyone for their post and comments.

I have a daughter at Lyonsdown who is having a great experience. She has an excellent all round education with specialist teachers and will be starting exam prep as she goes into Year 5. Secondary school destinations are on the website and girls are prepped for interviews as well as the exams. Pastoral care is excellent and the form teachers and senior team know each girl can individually, bringing out the best in each one. I’m really happy I moved my daughter there mid-Key Stage 1.