RMS or St Margaret's Bushey - any experience?

[Domino07]

Wondering if anyone has kids at either school or kids who have left prep/secondary/sixth form?

We have 2 girls in a state primary, going into Reception & Yr 2 in Sept. For various reasons we are looking for a nurturing through school and both RMS and St Margaret's are about equal distance to us and have places.

We want a rounded school environment where there is academic achievement but other skills and interests are equally valued if our children are not highly academic - though both seem bright enough for their age. St Helen's is not really for us due to the academic expectations and pressure, it just would not suit us or our kids.

RMS is all girls, St Margaret's is now co-ed - this is another factor we are not sure about either way. Have heard girls are more confident in all girls, though as DH and I went to co-ed state school's so we don't know what single sex environments are like for girls?

We have formed our own pro's and con's list but having just a small glimpse it is based on an hours experience at each school, we really wanted kids and parents first hand experiences.

Would really appreciate any advice and experience on both RMS and St Margaret's and also experiences of all girls/co-ed.

[HonorHiding]

We have a DS in the Junior School at St Margaret’s, and are very pleased with it. They seem to have managed the transition to co-ed well, and from September it will be fully co-ed from 2-18. DS - one of the pioneeing boys - is part of a happy mixed group of male and female friends.

It attracted us for much the same reasons you mention - good teaching and academic ambition within a holistic environment where the whole child is valued and developed. They make the most of their wonderful setting, having not just sports outside but also science lessons in their woodland etc. We’ve just this week been to a very happy junior sports day where all the children (athletic and otherwise) had loads of fun on a beautiful summer’s afternoon.

[Parzipan]

Hi, my son is currently in year 3 in a high pressure prep school and I am considering moving him to St Margaret’s as feel a nurturing more relaxed environment would be a better fit for him. Does anyone have any advice on how much support St Margaret’s provide and if the students seem happy? Thank you so much.