St Hilda's v Manor Lodge v Radlett Prep

[Decisiondecions2023]

Hi there we are looking to move our daughter from state school Y4 to a private school, we moved a few months ago to Radlett. We have been to all the 3 above, I like St Hilda's it has a good feel and everyone very nice I like it when on the tour you have form 6 pupil to ask questions about the school. My daughter likes St Hilda's because it has swimming pool !! We are going to do an assessment next week. We also went to ML we were taking around only by the head who seemed nice but doesn't believe in kids having tutors which mine needs from her state school, the school is big but is focus a lot on outside no swimming pool or swimming for only year 3 so then I asked to go for an assessment and they said they are fully booked now, so it's not to be. And then RP its very outdated the 2 lovely girls who took us around spoke really well and confident but school was very messy where St Hilda's so clean and tidy so not too sure as we were thinking to go to Aldenham and Edge Grove any feed back would be great.

@Decisiondecions2023 not an easy decision and each of the schools you mention are great prep schools. Would your daughter be joining this academic year into year 4 or September 24 and would she be entering y4 or 5?
I would advise you look up the schools 11+ outcomes If this is something that you are interested in ie transition to secondary schools, ensure wrap around care and other extracurricular activities suit both you and your daughter's interest. You state RP is v outdated but they have a phenomenal setup and children feed into great schools with confidence. Perhaps look beyond "mess" and outdatedness? If your gut is saying st hildas for that reason go for it but definitely do your research. As a parent there is more to school success then ofsted reports, a modern building etc.. I know pupils at each of the schools you mention except Aldenham. Edgegrove known to have excellent facilities also but have recently struggled with change of heads and also heard things that they openly at parents tours bash other nearby preps which I think is grossly unprofessional. Best to visit and even revisit. Also most parents end up tutoring for 11+ no fault of the schools but rather all the parents who end up tutoring.

I disliked radlett prep for all the reasons you state. They have good exits but it’s cheap and needs investment and it didn’t have a good vibe for us; I saw it 3 times for each of my kids and felt I should love it but it left me cold.

manor Lodge is quite hardcore but it’s a lovely school and it’s the one school I know where they really don’t need tutors. My friends kids all moved on from there without tutors.

st Hilda’s depends if you want co-Ed.

what about St Margaret’s? option there to stay into the senior school.

don’t know much about edgegrove other than it’s very very expensive

All 3 of mine went to aldenham. One went into the senior school and 2 moved to more selective schooks ar 11 I think it’s the most wonderful school. It’s mixed ability, make no doubts about it and therefore it doesn’t have the same impressive exits at year 6 but the kids go on to exactly where they should be, the brightest to the most selective schools and those who want to stay into the senior school. It’s a very special place in my opinion.

Hi, I have 2 children at Radlett Prep and I couldn’t be happier. Yes, building is less modern than those you listed above, but this means nothing to the children- my children have never mentioned that this bothers them 😊- We love the traditional vibe of the school. It is very nurturing and provides a wonderful education for my children. ‘cold’ is definitely the last word I would you to describe the school. The staff are so warm and approachable and care so much about each individual child. Highly recommended it. Just to note, I have been a teacher (not at Radlett Prep) for many years and have a lot of schools to compare it with.

@Decisiondecions2023 I wholeheartedly agree with the latest post and completely disagree with some of the comments given by post prior to that. Entitled to their opinion but If they don't have children at RP or Manor Lodge then their comments are not entirely accurate but merely an observation which is fine. My experience of RP is anything but cold they take on feedback incredibly well, fully nurture the kids whilst achieving amazing 11+ destination results. Yes facilities are slightly dated but their sports grounds, teaching standards and overall values are second to none. Whilst attending schools like habs/nlcs they were always impressed when they heard child attends Radlett currently. Quite honestly I respect and value some traditional teaching and morals this is not to say they're not keeping up with the current times. I'd say the children get the best of both worlds from maths competitions, debate clubs, lamda, drama they're really all rounded and the school clearly emphasise that their role is to provide and prepare for a whole rounded school experience which serves them really well in the years to come in senior school. Perhaps they're not showcasing this in a quick snapshot tour but the true feel of the school is amazing on the whole and has really boosted my child's confidence. A happy confident child who wants to go to school over it being slightly less tidy I'd take that any day bonus is also the results and prep done towards their 11+.

We adore st Hilda’s it’s an all round school and focused so much on the girls overall wellbeing

My daughter goes to St Hilda’s we love the school. She has a well rounded education with teachers who care and invest in her education and wellbeing. We couldn’t be happier.

If you are thinking of joining I would say you won’t regret it.
The teachers support parents well for the 11 plus and focus on what is right for the child and family. Whether that is state education, or the high ranking schools. The focus is on the child.
Best of luck with your choice x

i would say aldenham has a real discipline issue in the senior school and we found children to be quite rowdy and entitled. St Hilda’s seems a lovely school as well as St marg- much more grounded and polite children too

They really don’t. The discipline is excellent and very well managed. It’s not even slightly entitled

everyone is entitied to their opinion but this is what we have found and a lot of the people we know.

As a parent who has had 3 children through the school there is not a discipline issue. You appear to have made an external observation not as a parent and I can assure you that discipline is not a concern. I would say at times they’re too heavy handed. It’s a school which is still boy heavy. It’s never going to be as genteel as a girls school. The girls houses are well managed and they are very good at keeping an eye on them.

I can’t speak for all houses, only the girls houses and one of the boys houses and the house masters and mistresses are all over the behaviour as are the class and sports teachers