Thinking of moving to camden - can I have some thoughts on Camden School for Girls, St Marylebone Girls and La Sainte Union and any other state secondary schools really!

[BeattieBow]

We are seriously thinking about moving back to London and living in Camden.

We would move back this May/June and dd1 will be in y6 in Sept so we will be thrown straight into the whole secondary transfer nightmare.

I am wondering how to do this! I have 3 girls (as well as an SN boy but I will post a separate thread on him!)so thought that these girls schools would be ok, but wondered how easy it is to get in. If you live in the catchment for Camden are you practically guaranteed a place? (and then if we move, would the other dds get in as siblings?).

How easy is it to get into Marylebone if we were living in Camden.

And finally we are CofE - would this enable us to get into La Sainte Union? how easy/difficult is this?

Oh actually another question - what is Parliament Hill like?

I am aware of the whole Henrietta Barnett route too, but am not sure that I want that for my dds - although dd1 would have no problems getting in I think as she has been at a very good private school where they routinely do tests etc and work at several years above their ages. The other dds are not there however, and I don't know if they would get in. I also like the idea of my dds going to the same school, both for ease etc, but also so that they do have a shared experience.

Any views on these schools would be appreciated!

I know that the catchment for Camden is tiny and also that it is expensive, but we would rent for at least 2 years and would aim to be in the catchment area for this. We couldn't afford to buy in that area at all. (unless on a very dodgy camden estate)

Gregor that's what I've been saying to my dh. Actually when he came to bed last night, he told me he was now enthusiastic about the move (he'd been on rightmove all evening!), so fingers crossed.

Also I think there were some places at Torriano, and I discounted it because I thought it was too rough (remember reading about a gang in that area years ago and that has coloured my perceptions), but good to hear it's ok.

Torriano is considered desirable, not rough. Obviously it's mixed cos it's slap bang in the middle of some social housing, but it's desirable in a middle-class liberal boho no-uniform kind of way.

I know at least one person who had gone private rather than accept a place at the perfectly normal primary round the corner, but pulled her child out of the private school when a place came up at Torriano six weeks into term. It's also a big feeder for Camden girls.

The area around Torriano is probably as close as you can get to being simultaneously in catchment for Camden and Acland Burghley.

BeattieBow, Greycoat is oversubscribed. If you don't live on the doorstep then you have 2 routes in from what I understand. It selects 10% (?) of pupils on a 'language aptitude' test which I think does not take into account - in the first instance - where you live. The second route is the CofE one and you and your daughter would get allocated points for church-type things. You do get extra points for being extra involved with a church but if you genuinely are involved (not necessarily on parish council or similar) then you should score pretty well. There is a requirement to have that backed up with a letter from your vicar but your current local vicar should be able to do that to prove that your involvement dates back prior to a move to London/application to the school. But if you don't go actually go to church then that route won't work very well. By the way, don't worry that it's overwhelmingly churchy - just generally ethos and tradition like special services at Westminster Abbey.

dd1 and I went to London yesterday and have decided that we will try for CSG. She is very reluctant to move schools, but we had a long chat, and she said this sounds like a really good school. and she does love acting/dancing/singing (currently wants to be an actress). So will be looking for somewhere to rent asap.

Now just need to get in....

(and find a primary school).

I used to teach at CSG. It was a fantaastic place, inspiring. I would love my daughters to go there (if it is still as good, I taught there a few years ago)Unfortunately we live in Bournemouth so way out of catchment!

I have heard that you have to have lived within the catchment area for Camden School for Girls since previous December if you want to apply for a place this October. Does anyone know if this is true and if CSG have changed their admission criteria?

I know this is an old thread now, but Acland B recently had its Ofsted and it has gone down to a 3 from a 2. All reports I have heard from parents who have had kids there or have kids there currently, are not positive overall.
CSg is massively over subscribed and you have to be living within half a mile to even be considered (unless you are lucky enough to get in on a scholarship).
Parliament Hill Girls is now outstanding (since 2010) and still improving - next Oftsed out to be very soon and everyone watching it closely.
I recently met a supply teacher who covered a maternity post there and she was very impressed with the behaviour, lack of bullying and the overall kindness of the girls towards each other and staff.
However, I talked to the head of English at AB back in 2010 (met him at a swimming pool, with his baby daughter), who categorically said it was a school riddled with bad politics and weak management issues, problems with too many temporary teachers and he would not send his own daughter there.