Northbridge House Senior & Royal School Hampstead- to merge sept 2012

[sparklerach]

Any other parents at NBH/Royal School Hampstead on Mumsnet? We received a letter today from head of Cognita(who own NBH schools) saying they've bought the Royal School and are moving the Senior school from the current site at Gloucester Gate(Camden) to the soon to be ex Royal School site at Rosslyn Hill Hampstead.

I'm a parent of a child starting yr 7 at NBH and live North East of the current site and are quite upset. The timing also feels rather off, having just made our 1st of the Month payment for fees - now we discover that at least for us the school we carefully chose for our child will change considerably(double in size, vastly more girls as it absorbs a single sex girls school) and be twice as far away in 1 year's time.

Can't tell you how annoyed I am having turned away offers from closer more 'academic' schools because I particularly wanted my child to attend a mixed smaller school with good results but not a hot house and most crucially - a short commute from home. Truly annoying as of course there are many options school wise in the Hampstead area - none of which we investigated as the commute is tricky from where we live.

I am also not reassured by the promise of extensive remodelling of the very grim looking Royal School site to provide 'state of the art facilities'. This building work would need to be undertaken next summer, since I think the Royal School is continuing as usual this academic year(nothing on their website indicates otherwise) - which means a short schedule & not likely to be truly transformative in scope, as there simply isn't time to do much in 6 weeks and they will have to do a great deal of mundane stuff to convert to mixed gender and create more classrooms.

Not thrilled....

as an aside- is it just me that thinks the Royal School Hampstead website is rather twee? www.royalschoolhampstead.net/
not to mention hardly indicative when you see the actual school site on street view (click on the school on the map to view)...
maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.630055,87.1875&ie=UTF8&t=h&layer=c&cbll=41.890062,12.492549&panoid=07gbqMWIg_HId5m7W94qHg&cbp=12,301.45,,0,-4.23&ll=41.889579,12.49307&spn=0.002692,0.005322&z=18&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=et&utm_source=en-et-na-us-gns-svn

I don't mean to offend any parents at RSH...I am aware it is likely to be better than my impressions just feeling rather wary and bruised..

Wow that's quite a change. My brothers dc go to NBH and it was also chosen for the sorts of reasons you describe. Location in camden was also crucial as it allows them to go easily by bus from their home. Getting to hampstead would be much more difficult.
I saw sil yesterday and she didn't mention it so I don't think everyone has received their letters yet.
I can completely understand your reaction and I suspect there will be quite a few feeling the same. Especially those going into the senior school this month.

ew... don't know anything about the schools but that is one bad website.

I think you posted a google maps link to a Roman amphitheatre though :)

Hi,

Just wanted to sympathise as I too would be shocked that my carefully chosen school was actually going to be completely different.

Try to be positive. Location is important but it is not be the most important thing, within reason. If you would genuinely now prefer another school that made an offer to your child which you rejected, you could consider an approach to that school ASAP as I think schools often have people drop out late due to change of circumstances. I believe most schools would be understanding of the change of situation and if they wanted your dc before and they have a space they may well be able to accomodate.

I would imagine the ethos of the school will not change, and I should think Royal school parents may be even more worried, they chose a girls school and they are getting mixed!

I have a dc at a school in the area so I understand the difficulties, but in our case a difficult commute is well worth it.

Good luck.

Well, our DD overheard us talking about it yesterday so we've told her the details in as low key a way as possible. She actually used to go to school near Swiss cottage and we pulled her out because the commute was just too brutal. This new site is not too far from the old one actually, but I guess at least she would be travelling on her own (rather than being taken to and from). We've emphasised the 'no changes yet' side of it and she's been pretty uninterested really. Don't think the implications have dawned in the excitement of rushing about getting uniform etc.

Having a poke about the Royal School results they also don't look as good as NBH so feeling a bit about that too as my 'paranoid first time parent of a secondary school child' pills start to kick in! (antidote appears to be too much white wine )
Apparently there is a meeting after school (on the first day back!) at 6pm to talk to parents about it. - which neither of us can attend because of work/ after school stuff with siblings etc. argh..

I feel somewhat like it will be a waiting game to see how it pans out, but also since the school will change so much we may as well have a look at other options for year 8 . (an idea I really hate actually as I think a bit of stability is a valuable thing- and also DD is quite sensitive)
Anyone else out there have any experience of finding/looking for a new school in y8 in London for a girl? She's not super academic but has been at the top of her group in a local school throughout Juniors and passed the entrance exams for the schools we did apply to.

@ rocketty - sorry about the duff link... I just can't get it to work- but basically it's meant to be their postcode in google maps and then click on the school (it's marked on the map) and look at streetview.

Yes, looking at a new school if you are worried may be a good idea. Whereabouts do you live? Maybe Francis Holland in Regents Park would be good although it is all girls. It is not super academic yet gets good results. For mixed options, it can be more difficult though ..

Having witnessed a recent merger by this company firsthand, I would run! As fast as you can. Look again at your second choice school, and do so quickly. You will not be the only Year 7 parent on the phone.

A year after being first announced, the newly merged local school opens on Wednesday. They still don't have enough chairs for the pupils, let alone books, desks etc. The staff are unhappy, the management in denial. And this was a deal that didn't involve building work.

hi.. am not sure if this helps you but I know that the head of the Royal School is moving on to a new positiion in Sept 2012.

have you thought about Portland Place as a second choice. More central, co-ed and mixed ability.

I have a dc at NBH. Plan has been to proceed through prep school section so on the face of it - so far - no big change for our family except that in each of the younger year groups (below y7) I'm keen to know how many extra RS girls will be joining. this will affect boy:girl ratios. I suppose it's a huge change for RS parents who'd thought they were getting an all girls school, and for NBH Senior School parents who thought their dcs would be going to school in NW1 not NW3.

Any Royal School parents out there ? What have you been told if anything ?

I know a little of the RS and its failings. I presume that after the merger all the previous senior managers will either not be in place (as in the case of the Principal) or their jobs descriptions will be dramatically altered.

I'm sorry to minimise your issues but as a happy nbh parent I can only see this as an amazing opportunity for parents of both schools. Nbh has been THE best thing our daughter has ever had happen to her, the staff and head super caring and able. The only downside to nbh was the cramped building, which will now no longer be an issue. At a recent meeting there were a couple of complaining parents, moaning about the distance to Hampstead. It's not what they signed up for the moaned.

Really?!? It's just a 15 minute walk from gloucester avenue to Hampstead. They get a free bus there,a better site and 5million investment. Surely these parents should find something genuinely problematic to moan about. This sounds like a great solution to both schools problems and I loved hearing mr Woodhead outline the developments. We should feel lucky!!

Also, they are keeping NBH teachers and curriculum. What's the issue here or am i missing something?

I can understand the issues about what's going on, especially from the Royal School's point of view. It is SUCH a lovely school and the girls are extremely happy there, and have great, small class sizes and fantastic teachers. I understand that they are keeping NBH teachers, so what happens to all the fabulous ones at the Royal? It is not really what parents signed up for and are really upset. I can see that the NBH parents might be pleased, but it all seems like a takeover, not a merger and I think the special ethos might be lost.
Also, have no issues with the website!

I am a Royal School parent and let me tell you the Royal School is a wonderful girls school and we are not too thrilled either to be merging with Northbridge House! Twee website? It has a caring ethos and an inclusive admission, which means girls from all abilities can work together to achieve the very best in education. Parents are still reeling from the betrayal of the trustees, who have sold our school down the river.I am trying to be positive, but some of the remarks here from NBH parents tell me this might be an uphill struggle!

Lezzles NBH has an inclusive admission policy too, so depending on the age of your daughter she could stay in the junior/prep and either do the 11+ in year 6 or stay on in the senior building in NW3. We're ok people, honestly !

My daughter attended RSH for 11 years and was extremely happy she left in the summer with 10 GCSE'S all A-A* and is now at UCS.
I feel for both sets of parents as at the end of the day you selected the school that suited you and your child and now you are not getting that, hopefully what you do get will be better.
The good thing about the RSH building ugly as some people think it is, is that it is a purpose built school with proper classrooms labs library's and an amazing technology suite.
It also has quite extensive grounds quite unusual for schools in the area which are mostly converted big houses, so there is room to build and improve the facilities.
I do however think this could have all been avoided if the trustees at RSH had been honest with the parents over the state of the finances, so that another outcome could have been achieved as I know the parents would have been interested in running the school themselves.
This was always one of my problems at RSH we were never included in any decisions just told when they had been made, such as the closure of the 6th form a few years ago.
I don't see any point moaning about who has the better website! good luck I really hope this all works out.

I am a NBH parent and am, generally, happy and looking forward to the increased facilities the move will bring but we live over the other side of London so the commute for my DC will be more difficult. We signed up for a school in Camden, not Hampstead.

Are there any RSH parents out there? I read about RSH parents seeking to challenge the takeover in both the Local and National press. What if, anything, has happened about that? Has the sale to Cognita gone through?
We have heard nothing further.

The way things stand now are: Royal Parents are still fighting to keep the school open in its present form. They have put proposals to Chris Woodhead about this, and we await their decision. I very much doubt whether Cognita will agree, as, in the words of our Headmistress:
"They want the site"
And that's the central issue. Grim as it may look from the outside, I totally agree with Lorraine's comments about the playground and the Food technology room is wonderful. It needs a lot of investment, though, as some of the areas are run down (thanks to the totally uninterested Trustees)
So, the parents lost the battle to run the school themselves, but now are putting forward a proposal to keep it in its current form, a lovely, inclusive, caring girls school, which they feel will flourish now the Trustees have gone. I believe that it is too late, and that the merger will go ahead as planned . I also feel that Sir Christopher and the Cognita group had no idea of the passion and commitment of the parents and the girls , and they MAY take the issues into account and the school COULD become something really special.......

Thank you for the up-date Mrs Rumpole. :) I would be grateful if you could keep me and any other NBH parents informed, as we have heard nothing.

NBH parents were due to be offered a tour of the RSH site during your half-term (week commencing 17th October) but it doesn't look like that will happen now.

I am particularly interested as DC and I may have to move closer to the school.

Good luck!

My daughter attends the RS hampstead, and many of the parents feel really betrayed that the school has been handed over to Cognita group before being consulted with. I believe that NBH to be an excellent school, but that wasn't my first choice, I wanted an all girls school and local, hence my choice. I feel very sorry for the borders who reside there who will now be up heaved and sent else where, this was there temporary home and school. The trustees had no thought and consideration on how this may affect the parents and importanly the girls( we seem to forget how this effects them too) so we only found out by letter the Friday before the Monday we started the term!! And since many a meetings being held.. The next meeting we have is with Cognita next week.

I imagine you are all aware there is a forum (at the insistence of Royal School parents) this will hopefully put NBH parents in the picture once it is up and running.
We have a meeting with Sir Christopher on 11th October, and I have an appointment to visit Alexandra Ayre to discuss the senior school. I have found Sir Christopher to be very responsive to our concerns, but, at the end of the day, I understand that it's all about making a profit. Am I right in thinking NBH is boy- heavy? Cognita will be able to correct that with the Royal girls........

Mrs Rumpole, NBH is indeed boy heavy but I have found it, generally, a caring and nurturing school and my DC has been very happy there. I am sure all the girls at RSH will enjoy it (notwithstanding the upheaval of change). I do sympathise with the parents and girls who board, as the change will be very difficult for them.

NBH parents have not been told about any forum (is it only for RSH Parents?) so please do keep us informed. Ms. Ayre is an excellent head and very approachable, I am so glad she will remain in her post. I am sure you will be reassured by her manner and leadership.

Meterita, we too were only told the Friday before the start of term. It came as a shock to us too!

I just noticed the forum has been added to the NBH senior website- apparently we have to register and request a password...A shame we can't view it without registering as that makes me slightly worried that they will clearly to be able to see which parents are making the fuss (you would have to give them your email address to get a password). What is the point of a forum if it can't be generally viewed anyway?

Anyone else puzzled by the comment that the Royal site is only a 15 min walk from the Senior school...eh? It's 2 miles ? (google maps estimates 44 min)
Although walking time between would never be relevant to me personally I think parents worried about this are not at all being unreasonable. In our circumstances the free bus between the sites is pointless. Making their general School Bus services free- even if just for a limited period- would be potentially much more useful.

Mrs Rumpole- please do keep posting updates about what is going on with RS parents. I have great sympathy for you as it must surely be a very stressful time, especially if what you're saying about there not yet being full closure about what is happening. NBH parents have been presented with the story of a 'done deal'. Our letter said we 'will be moving in September 2012'.. etc. so it is of great interest to me that there are still negotiations ongoing.

I wonder what the new merged school will be called?!