Girls independent schools in North London

[savantista]

We are moving back to London from Kent in July 2014 and are looking at senior schools for YR 6 twin girls who are currently in a very good state primary. We will be based in Islington, near Angel. Their interim Sats score at the end of Yr 5 were 5b (English), 4a (Maths) and 5b (English) and 4b (Maths). We have looked at South Hampstead High, City Girls, Channing, Francis Holland, Highgate and Queens College. After following a number of discussions about North London schools I am beginning to worry that I am pitching at too academic a school. Your wise thoughts would be really welcome as well as any suggestions.

Savantista, I agree with Marni23. In case it cheers you up: You are in better shape than us both in terms of levels at end of year 5 (in both subjects, also at a state school) and questions answered on the consortium tests. If your DDs only left 3-4 maths questions they should be in very good shape, these test are difficult to finish! After practising on some past consortium tests at home (timed and marked by me) we knew that she would never be anywhere near finishing (or cracking) all the maths, so it boiled down to making efficient use of the time available - not normally DD's strong point, but she did her best, which is all we can ask for.

I might be living in a dream world, but it might encourage you that I still have not given up hope for Francis Holland NW1 or Queen's College to come through for my DD; both of those interviews seemed to go well and she got through more of the maths on Jan 17th than on the 10th. On the other hand, our hopes for SHHS and especially G&L (my DD's favourite, but always a big stretch for her) are write-offs in my book. We think our highest probability of an offer is North Bridge House (somewhat easier tests where DD nevertheless left two maths questions blank), which I believe should be less competitive than FH and Queen's.

Thankfully we have managed to keep DD's spirits high and at the same time her expectations for offers low, so no tears at this end so far, but let us see on Feb 14th... Now for the very nervous wait. Good luck!

savanista

The pass marks are not as high as you would think and store is put on the CAT results (from the headmasters report) if the performance on the day is not as good as expected. CLSG actually mentions specific scores hidden in their FAQ section for example. Several of the schools you have applied to are not as over-subscribed as you think and I would predict you will be pleasantly surprised. Most girls get more than one offer.

Don't be put off by the numbers either. Most DC have applied like you to several schools and capacity and demand is just about in balance in the round in N.London.

Highgate results are out and as usual throws up unexpected results at 11+ (they really are missing out on some bright kids and taking less able ones on occasion for some reason) so again don't be disappointed if not called for interview to them.

The other interview invitations should be out next week for most. Fingers crossed for you and for our own DD.

P.S. On your DS, have you noticed Northbridge House are opening up in Islington. Could be a nice fit?

I wouldn't worry to much, easier said than done though. Once the state school offers come through lots of people will reject places especially for the NW London schools where people are sitting as back ups to Henrietta Barnett, QE and JFS / JCOSS. Belmont in particular tends to be a reserve choice and they put lots of emphasis on school report and fit plus they lose a fair number of their own year 6 to the schools mentioned above so I would expect there is a good likelihood of that coming through regardless of the calculator issue. Good luck.

I wouldn't worry to much, easier said than done though. Once the state school offers come through lots of people will reject places especially for the NW London schools where people are sitting as back ups to Henrietta Barnett, QE and JFS / JCOSS. Belmont in particular tends to be a reserve choice and they put lots of emphasis on school report and fit plus they lose a fair number of their own year 6 to the schools mentioned above so I would expect there is a good likelihood of that coming through regardless of the calculator issue. Good luck.

Agree with the points made above. Highgate is pretty loopy in who they offer places to. Based on DD2's cohort, girls with younger siblings got offers and siblings of current Highgate kids. DD2 didn't get an interview nor did others who went on to much more selective schools. You may be in with a chance there.

Have you looked at Queens Gate or St James for the girls?

I know a family in your situation last year who did late applications for these (Febuaryish) and were offered places.

KingscoteStaff, very useful info for us nervous parents, thank you! It seems like desperate parents (in mid Feb or later) with luck might benefit from DDs having sat the consortium exams IF spaces open up at consortium schools they did not originally apply for, especially the less competitive ones. (I am sure these schools can then access, and will trust, the exam results.) Being used as back-ups by large numbers of people, these schools might also have a large share of initial offers rejected, so envision some movement during the spring.

From what I saw on a brief visit, St James seems to be a kind, nurturing and international (quite Asian) environment; the veggie food is a negative for my food-loving DD, but she would just have to literally swallow that one, if necessary... And 68 percent A and A* at GCSE is also good, especially if the intake is a bit less selective than the "top" (i.e. talent-cherrypicking) schools. (I see QG is at 67%, so similar).

The two schools are quite different in pupil make up, QG is more international/prosperous in my opinion. St James girls tend to be more down to earth - strict uniform rather than no uniform. St James uses the sports fields at Dukes Meadows in Chiswick for matches, their older girls can work at a lacrosse camp in the summer & get their initial coaching badges (& get paid!).

I think my problem is that I am holed up in deepest Kent and really do not have a single person to compare notes with. Highgate rejection in post this morning but I am taking real comfort in all of your input! Both girls are quite quirky and we are not a family that has put much emphasis on extra curricular attainment - no grade 8 oboe etc - but they enjoyed all of their interviews and still had things to talk about.

Oddsins - DS did the entrance exam on Wed for NBH. Canonbury would be a just around the corner. He did Mill Hill and Emanuel which he felt were both OK - apart from the Spanish. We didn't do NBH for the girls as we are tring to keep the 3 apart - they overwhelm DS sometimes!

King Alfred School (Golders Green)? I heard it good for quirky kids?

Queenswood in Hertfordshire. Very many go from North London.

No interviews at Highgate and SHHS for DD 1 and 2 and none for DS at Emanuel. That is it now - no more feedback from exams until mid Feb. I actually feel sick as I know I haven't prepared them properly.

savantista I'm sorry you're having such a horrible time. It's all so much more stressful than it has any business being, and it doesn't sound like you've had much time to prep yourself, let alone the DC. If it's any help, I'm sure with those Y5 results your girls will get a place in one of the schools you've applied to. I only know Highgate and SHHS by reputation but they are definitely at the higher end academically I think, so please don't despair! I know even less about the 13+ (is that what your DS is doing?) - but I have heard so many stories over the years where children end up in a school that seems just right for them, despite early disappointment and plans going awry. Hang in there! It really will be ok.

savantista: Are you holding up OK? At least it is not long for us to wait now! I will PM you a question, some news and an idea for a back-up plan for your clever girls. I remain confident that you will not need the back-up after Friday, but with luck it might cheer you up in the meantime.

How high are the pass rates for the more academic schools in the consortium? Trying to compare against using past papers.

northlondoncat I think you are right on the consortium; the maths exam used to be difficult but has now gone in the other direction and is perhaps not teasing out the natural mathematicians as opposed to the tutored.

savantista how are things? Hope you got some good news on Friday.