Muswell Hill state to private

[Sdgrth]

My DD is in Y1 - state school in MH (good rated). The reception was great - fantastic teacher, a lot of friends from nursery. Although the parents are generally not interested in making new friends, the kids are kind and good friends to each other, so all fine. Y1 didn’t start well and not getting better. Many substitute teachers, no reading books, and disruptive behaviour in the classroom. I am getting fed up with it, as I can’t see this getting better. We love MH and the community here (of the parents we worked to get to know, plus the nursery friends), but generally, the school community is a bit blah. Especially vs the other more senior years - social level. We are looking to move to one of the local private schools, Channing & Highgate, or further afield in Hampstead. However, we worry our DD would lose out on the local friendships/community, and secondly, she’s a shy and clingy child, and we can’t even imagine attending interviews without us! Plus, we are thinking if we end up going for Hampstead, what’s the point of living in MH?! But we love MH… any advice?

Have you spoken to the school and told them of your concerns? That should be your first move. If she won’t be interviewed on her own she doesn’t stand a chance of getting in. At one school a four year old refused to go with the teacher and that was that. No second chance and no persuasion.

Yes, we all did. The school offered a solution but not working all that well. That was my thinking too re the interview but I was hoping there were potentially some more kinder private schools around…

I have lots of friends in MH and CE who go to the Highgate and Hampstead private schools and even further afield (Westminster and city) For Highgate v easy. For Hampstead, gotta make sure you set off at the right time .

Have a look at St Margaret’s, Hampstead which is a gentle and caring girls’ independent school and might suit your DD.

There may be alternative state options available to you too, though. Current Y1 was not a high birthrate year and there are certainly surplus primary places around in north London. It’s perhaps worth a call to somewhere like St Michael’s, Highgate among others, to see whether an in-year transfer might be possible?

How about a school that doesn’t require an interview / 7+? That might suit her better from what you’ve said?

Hopefully if you keep up with local friends you have, she’ll still feel part of the neighbourhood friend crowd.

Although DH went to school in another neighbourhood and said he always found it annoying and a bit sad that he had no friends in walking distance.

I know MH well though. Lots of kids go to private school - especially the roads on the way up to Highgate which aren’t in catchment for the outstanding state schools.

Yes, one of the non-selective schools might be more appropriate. Friends attend St Margaret’s and we will go and visit. Thank you.

@Sdgrth, I'm sorry to hear of your experience. I would move schools, urgently. (We went through something similar and I'm afraid things won't improve. Over time, other things will bother you, too.) Please PM me if you want to chat privately.

@preppingforlife sorry just jumping on this thread, I’m trying to find out info about the school run from Muswell Hill to Hampstead and how do-able it is! DS has just been offered a place at UCS and trying to work out options. Would it be possible to pm you please? Many thanks!

Sure

thanks @preppingforlife will message you now x