Habs vs NLCS vs Hertfordshire prep

[Law2mum]

Hi,

Im looking for some advice.

I have a twins- boy and girl who will start reception Sep 2025.

We have looked at all local Hertfordhsire private schools near Radlett and Northwood schools and have short listed Manor Lodge, Habs boys and girls, NLCS.

Thankfully this week, both have got offer from Manor Lodge.

We are now debating whether to still get my son to sit for Habs boys and my daughter to sit for Habs Girls and NLCS.

We are fortunate that finance is not a deciding factor for us, we can afford both options.
Location wise again is not a big factor, Manor Lodge is on the way to my husbands work and Habs boys & girls is on the way to my office in Bushey. NLCS we can make it work if we need to. We also are happy for both to be separated in different schools as they can grow individually.

Now I know the chances that they will get an offer from Habs Boys/Girls and NLCS are slim given the competition, but if they did get offers I dont want to have to make decisions under pressure, hence I'm thinking about it now.

We love ML but the down side is its not a through school, whereas Habs and NLCS is through school and avoid 11+ pressures.

Both my children are outgoing, not shy and keen learners, very able and so far are showing strong academic abilities according to their nursery teacher feedback. We have been told both have potential for Habs.

Any advice from parents that have gone through 11+ or parents of children at Habs boys/girls or NLCS?

Is choosing a through school over a prep worth it to avoid 11+ stress?
Would you choose Manor Lodge a school which has great facilities and kids generally seem really happy and very nurturing school over a more academically driven school such as Habs or NLCS.

If they get offers with the reputation of Habs boys and NLCS its going to be hard to turn down.

Any advice appreciated as I'm getting more confused.

Manor Lodge is a really lovely school. I think it not being a 'through school' is an advantage honestly- to me it didn't feel nearly as pressurised, and most the kids in year 6 get their first choices when it came to secondary schools. I also think it's a huge benefit for kids to be co-ed in primary!

Meant to add also that if Kingshott isn't too far (hitchin), it would seem to be a happy medium in terms of it has a similar feel to MLS, but goes right through to GCSE.

All through schools can feel very stifling - just being in the same place for so many years with the same group of people.

The benefit of a prep school is that it’s their job to help you find the school of best fit at 11. Your four year olds will be VERY different then. Whilst they might seem academic now, they may turn out to be exceptionally sporty, musical or artistic and that be an even greater strength. Plenty of children do go onto these all through schools, joining only at 11.

It is actually very easy to turn down a place at one of these schools - we did!!!!!! We turned down a NLCS place at 11 and opted for another school others tend to look at as a “backup”. People told us we were mad. She’s on track for all 9s at GCSE and has really thrived where she is. I really don’t think she would have done so well at NLCS.

Honestly, your gut reaction is always the right one. If Manor Lodge feels like “the one” then it probably is!!

Thank you all for your advice. We decided to accept Manor Lodge and have withdrawn our applications for the other school assessments.