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Original poster

NLCS vs SHHS vs st Christopher

15 replies

fourplusdilemma · 04/02/2023 12:10

Good afternoon

Appreciate we're in a very fortunate position but we're really are struggling to decide between NLCS, south hampstead and st Christopher's for reception entry. It's very difficult to judge long term what will suit our daughter best.

NLCS has such a lovely campus and we feel it would be a shame to miss out. But we do worry about the distance and geographical spread of friends. 40mins from where we are. Open to moving.

South Hampstead is very close, walking distance. But the junior school felt so cramped and the lack of green in senior does bother me. It also feels like it might be "settling" compare to stronger day schools as no 11+ prep.

St Christopher's would let us choose the best secondary closer to time but it feels foolish to turn down an all through school and be forced to go down the 11+ I love the school though.

Any thoughts? We want to decide over the next couple of days to release spots to those waitlisted...

Thanks

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NWLndMum · 04/02/2023 13:56

First of all - well done to your DD! What a fortunate position to be in. Having gone through the process a couple of years ago, I would hands down choose NLCS. By far better facilities, the most incredible teaching standards and results to show. Your DD is clearly clever enough to be able to thrive there and you’re right - the other two choices would be more or less you ‘settling’ with a second best. Good luck!

SWTutor · 05/02/2023 10:20

I have heard the environment amongst staff in St Christopher’s is quite toxic. A friend did some work there as a supply teacher and the head was incredibly cold (passed her by several times on the stairs without saying hello or acknowledging her in any way). She had to eat her lunch alone over several days as the staff barely spoke to her. While she was there she witnessed the head giving a tour to some parents and her super friendly manner was in stark contrast to what she herself had seen up until then. Of course all of this may not matter to you, but maybe it’s good to see past the facade too.

Original poster
fourplusdilemma · 05/02/2023 11:02

@NWLndMum Thank you for your comment! Do you have a daughter at NLCS? If so how does she find it? Do you commute from far?

@SWTutor Oh that's alarming. Would you be able to clarify if it relates to the current head (whose been there approx 2 years?) or previous? Thanks

OP posts:
SWTutor · 05/02/2023 11:12

fourplusdilemma · 05/02/2023 11:02

@NWLndMum Thank you for your comment! Do you have a daughter at NLCS? If so how does she find it? Do you commute from far?

@SWTutor Oh that's alarming. Would you be able to clarify if it relates to the current head (whose been there approx 2 years?) or previous? Thanks

Current head. This happened in the past year.

NWLndMum · 05/02/2023 11:21

Yes I do. I was worried about the commute in the beginning but we are close to a bus stop (they make arrangements re stops depending on the intake during that year). Our commute is roughly 45 min and she is now used to it. Almost none of the girls are local and the coach is a ‘rite of passage’ into the school :) She’s really enjoying the school which is much more nurturing than I thought.

Coronateachingagain · 05/02/2023 19:53

NWLndMum · 04/02/2023 13:56

First of all - well done to your DD! What a fortunate position to be in. Having gone through the process a couple of years ago, I would hands down choose NLCS. By far better facilities, the most incredible teaching standards and results to show. Your DD is clearly clever enough to be able to thrive there and you’re right - the other two choices would be more or less you ‘settling’ with a second best. Good luck!

I do not agree with this. The other schools are also very good schools. And NCLS is not for everyone - this is a long game; and having seen the end product (not talking about grades) the other schools should also be considered if it suits your child.

Distance in primary is also key.

Schooldecisions2023 · 05/02/2023 20:08

I have one daughter at SHHS and one at NLCS, I can’t comment on St Christopher’s. The academic difference between SHHS and NLCS is honestly minimal so I’d base it on the personality of your child. SHHS girls are, in my experience, more worldly wise and ‘cool’ - difficult to anticipate at 7 whether she’ll be like that later on but if you value those qualities then go for SHHS. Both are great, I just think my daughter at SHHS will have the edge in the big wide world (in retrospect, I didn’t have that knowledge when we entered the schools).

njshore · 06/02/2023 01:13

I'd say SHHS based on distance and you don't have to move. Education-wise they are similar and an academic girl will do well in either school.

NLCS does have incredible grounds and facilities and we loved it when we toured the school for our daughter. Plus, the former revered Head of SHHS left recently for NLCS so this is a plus. However, an interesting observation is that every year there are approx. 6-10 girls NLCS applying to SPGS (a record number applied this year) so it can't be THAT good if the top girls are looking to leave.

If you do go for NLCS/St Christopher's in the end, please let us know on the forum as my neighbour's daughter is on SHHS waitlist!

LlAl · 06/02/2023 20:17

I used to work at NLCS and it was such an incredible school. Cannot speak more highly of how amazing the students were to teach and the extra curricular provision was like nothing I've known before. The book club after school was university level discussion run entirely by the girls. Such a warm, happy place to work - I only left to get a promotion but can absolutely vouch for NLCS and would grab a spot if you can!

Coronateachingagain · 06/02/2023 22:02

LlAl · 06/02/2023 20:17

I used to work at NLCS and it was such an incredible school. Cannot speak more highly of how amazing the students were to teach and the extra curricular provision was like nothing I've known before. The book club after school was university level discussion run entirely by the girls. Such a warm, happy place to work - I only left to get a promotion but can absolutely vouch for NLCS and would grab a spot if you can!

We're you a teacher @LlAl ? I find it strange to quote the best of a school as having a university level discussion in the school clubs.

LlAl · 06/02/2023 22:17

Yes I was a teacher and I loved it! Of course there were many other wonderful things about it too!

Coronateachingagain · 11/02/2023 09:18

@LlAl ok maybe you can expand then to more relevant points in primary, talking about university level discussion for book clubs sounds "impressive" but if you are a teacher you know that is not exactly where you would start - unless of course if you want to make the point about the reverse case, very succinctly!

joyana · 22/02/2023 23:20

Congrats to your DD. We visited NLCS two years ago and were fascinated by the school. Unfortunately, DD could not get into it. She goes to SHHS but we are trying to move her to NLCS next year if a place is given.

travelholic · 23/02/2023 09:35

joyana · 22/02/2023 23:20

Congrats to your DD. We visited NLCS two years ago and were fascinated by the school. Unfortunately, DD could not get into it. She goes to SHHS but we are trying to move her to NLCS next year if a place is given.

Hello, I am considering shhs. Could I ask why you didn't like it and thinking of moving her

Jasmine678 · 08/11/2023 23:42

Hi, @fourplusdilemma would love to know which school did you select in the end and why ? Many thanks

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