Harrow - Independent girl's schools - advice

[mitbap]

dd1 is in Year6. She was working confortably at level 4 last year. I suspect she is not gifted and talented, nor does she have any real difficulties at school.
Can anyone give me any advice about which schools would be a suitable match (e.g. NLC would appear to be for the gifted and talented!).
We looking for a good traditional, academic education in a school with smaller class sizes and a more individual approach than is likely in the Harrow LA high schools. Although not shy, dd1 is fairly quiet and thoughtful etc and I don't think she would put herself forward and demand attention as much as would be necessary in a large very mixed ability, co-ed environment.
Also we don't like the idea of her remaining at her (state) primary until year 8 as is the way in Harrow LA.

[mammmamia]

I expect St Helens will be closed for reception entries as well at this stage. You should call the admissions offices to ask. Also it depends where you live!

[Vpshah]

Hi,
I am looking for Reception admission for my daughter and am not sure which school in london is good. I have come across NLCS, st.Margaret Bushey and St.Helens Northwood. NLCS the admissions are closed and now I have to look for St. Margaret and ST. Helen. Can someone let me know which school out of the 2 is better. I have just moved in UK and am not sure which one is better. Would be great if someone can guide me. Thanks

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Very old thread

[mrsmbuble]

Tufty7 - any views/comments now your dd has been at RMS for nearly two terms ? Love the school but does it really stand true to its unique ethos. pm if you prefer. Thanks.

[maggiethecat]

Good to see you around again TDiddy - you were trying to explain the intricacies of the currency market to me last summer but admit I'm still at sea! Intuitively I decided to hang to USD and it seems like a good move - need to make a move soon tho (gutted didn't do it at 1.49 last week).

I saw St Helens some time ago and quite liked it for the juniors. Not sure about senior school but having said that I'm a bit cagey about an all girls' school for dd who is quite able academically but is quite sensitive. I know how teenage girls can be bitchy and competitive but wonder if things would be any better at mixed school?

Are there any well regarded mixed private schools in this area?

[TDiddy]

thinking of Habs Girls instead of NLC for my DD who is athletic and academic. NLC seems over the top with all the girls being tutored!!

[LouIsOnAHighwayToHell]

Not a lot sorry TDiddy. They were better at sport if that helps.

[TDiddy]

What do you think of Habs Girls LouIsOnAHighwayToHel ?

[LouIsOnAHighwayToHell]

I used to work at RMS. It is a good school but if your daughter excels at anything then do not send her there. Students come out of there as average well rounded students. The discipline could be better but that is a result of staff not all reading from the same page. Teaching quality is good. They are being Ofsted inspected in a few weeks so keep and ear out to hear what happens. There is a wide range of subjects too and the facilities are pretty good. They do drill too. Look on youtube to see RMS Drill. I used to love watching that.

[TDiddy]

Watford Grammar Girls, Henrietta Barnet

[TDiddy]

St Helen's in Northwood, Royal Masonic, Aldenham, Haberdashers Girls

[maggiethecat]

If she's still around it would be good to know how things worked out - I'm in Harrow and will be asking about some of these schools at some point.

[basildonbond]

the OP's dd is almost doing her GCSEs by now - this thread is 3.5 years old

[Needmoresleep]

Where in Harrow. If you are anywhere near Rayners Lane, the Hammersmith Schools (SPGS, G&L and even Latymer) are within reach.

[tufty7]

My daughter started at the 'Royal Masonic School in Rickmansworth last year, Yr 7. The school is lovely with a great sense of caring. The Headmistress commands respect from the pupils but teaches them to respect themselves. The work is hard, lots of homework, but the work is interesting (according to my daughter).There are strict rules but they are sensible and I am sure at the end of her education she will leave with qualifications but also have become a well rounded young lady. The teachers are very approachable if you have any concerns. If there is anyone looking round this school I would definately recommend it, but only if your child is academic.

[Judy1234]

Mine went to NLCS and she is by no means gifted. A few girls in each year were (11 A* GCSE etc) but not most. Try that but do get some exam practice beforehand. My other went to Habs (coaches there from harrow) and that worked out great too. Below that I'd put St Helen's and Northwood College after that. There's another I can't remember about that sort of level too which just about everyone who applies to gets in for girls.... Heathfield. We also looked at St Margaret's Bushey which again is not so academic but quite nice. Why not try for a good few and then she's had her chance even if you don't think she's clever enough for the ones that are harder to get into.

[mitbap]

Still looking. Anyone got any advice?

[mitbap]

Thanks singersgirl.
We visited the first two schools you mention last weekend. League tables suggest that at NLC, for example, girls achieved @95% A* at GCSE which is rather daunting! We will be visiting Peterborough and St M's next weekend. This has been described to me by a local tutorial agency as offering a good grammar school education. It is very small so I guess it may be competitive in its own way because of that.
Does anyone know anything else about any of these or Heathfields, Pinner; St Margaret's, Bushey; Northwood College; Royal Masonic? St Margaret's had a rather poor ISC inspection report last year and appeared to have an acting head - any comments on that most welcome.

[singersgirl]

Don't think NLC is all gifted by any means - I went there (though so many years ago that it is hardly relevant) and there were lots of normal bright girls as well as the extra bright.

How about St Helen's in Northwood (though I think that also is reputed to be pretty academic)or Peterborough and St Margaret's (don't know much about this but I believe it is a less academic girls' school)