Abbot’s Hill

[NewStAlbans]

Hi all,

I’m moving in to St Albans in the next couple of months and have been looking at prep school for my DD. We visited Abbot’s Hill and it ticked most of the criteria me and my husband were looking for (pastoral care, values and facilities). Having gone into our research, we only have one lasting query around the recent teacher strikes (April 2022) and potentially resignations / dismissals. Could anyone share their experience please, if this has caused any issues with the school and children’s curriculum. Any glean on what this might mean for the school’s culture going forward etc?

Thank you in advance

It’s an interesting one. It’s a great school for pastoral and that’s why many choose it, but the strikes caused huge problems, mainly in the secondary part.

The GCSE years were largely looked after but Y8 in particular suffered badly. One class had no qualified maths teacher the whole time it was going on. No reduction or refund of fees, however, as the school was still open and providing an “education”. A lot of girls left - the majority heading to Royal Masonic and Queenswood.

That said, I think the head did what she could under the circumstances. Several of the teachers involved became quite militant. It was a very difficult time.

I have over a dozen friends with girls there and all now feel things are “ok”. Largely back to normal.

Two comments to make though. There are now gaps in some year groups which inevitably affects fees. Has the pensions thing put people off going there in the future? Doesn’t seem like it right now but if something else goes wrong in the future I think parents will vote with their feet.

Another comment from several of my friends with children in the prep is that they are thinking of leaving at 11+ or 13+ as it becomes a rather boring environment and the girls are ready for a change. You would get this potentially at any all through school.

For a girl who needs great pastoral and a little more support then it’s a fabulous school though.

Thank you