Norfolk House school in Muswell Hill

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Hi , we're thinking of sending our son to Norfolk House school in Muswell Hill for year 2/3 entry. He is currently at state school and is very academic but lacks some self confidence. We are looking for a school that will give him loads of self confidence and help prepare for the 11+. Does anyone have some recent experience they could share?
Thank you

If you want great prep for the 11+ I'm not sure Norfolk House is where you'll find it... would you be willing to look outside Muswell Hill? I.e. towards Highgate, Hampstead?

We'd prefer the Academy but Muswell Hill is logistically much easier. We live in East Finchley. Why do you question the 11+ prep...they seem to get decent leaver destination results?

Every time I checked the results were distinctly average bar an outlier year. The academy look much more consistent and not owned by private equity.

Thank you.

Does anyone else have first hand experience of the school they could share?

Hi, the school offers a lovely environment. It’s a small school based over two buildings, the younger children on one side and the older on the other. The staff really care for the children. From the get go there is a focus on confidence building through activities and play together with larger term projects.

Feel free to PM me if you would like specific info.

thanks

Hi, I had been interested in this school in the past but came in here to ask about the effect being owned by private equity firms has on a school? I actually asked this elsewhere but didn't get any reply. I'm aware private schools are a business in a way but does the financier ownership mean a drive towards profit so focus on getting max numbers in classes, cutting corners? I read an old thread on here once about a school owned by venture capitalists that accepted disruptive pupils who were not accepted by other private schools just to get the numbers up.

Hi @CanteringAlong I’ll be honest and say that I have not thought much about the school ownership structure. My children are at the younger end of the school and my concern has been that they are in a nurturing environment which focuses on learning, confidence and generally setting the foundation for good behaviours. I think the schools excels at this. As you get further up the school the pressure is probably felt more due to the high demands of the 11+. I suppose teachers may feel more pressure re ownership structure in that regard but I still think from what I’ve seen that the outlook is focussed on the welfare of the pupils. 11+ is always a tough time and the school work in collaboration with the family to find the right fit for the child.

I have first hand experience of Norfolk house- both my children are currently there. Feel free to PM me.

Norfolk House has been transformational for my two children and not once has the ownership of the school been an issue. What has been is that my children have been nutured, supported and really found themselves as people with great friends and teachers they rave about. I live in East Finchley too and have been walking them to school every day and get all my steps in! You'll find happy children at Norfolk House and I say most get into the schools they want - that side of things is complex though - schools change their entry criteria quite abruptly which can make some years a challenge but the support is there to work around that. I'll be gutted when my last kid leaves.

I am keen to speak to a arent whose children went to this school- Could either of you PM me?