Queenswood or Haileybury.. or somewhere else?

[OliviaClozov]

I would like to send DD9 to an independent in herts - these schools are similar distances from each other. DD likes dance and English. Not so hot on maths. she's a creative one really. What are these school like from a parents point of view?

Queenswood has lots of dance and I am sure you will know it is well known for sport and drama. GCSE results very good this year. Not everyone is good at maths but you have to do it everywhere! I do not actually think Queenswood is hot on art in comparison to some schools. No fashion shows or photography for example. Do they do an art show of the girls work now? They didn't previously. However I suggest you take a look because I may be out of date. The art curriculum was restricted in comparison to some schools. Drama first rate though. Most girls go to Queenswood at 11 not 13. Principal is leaving at the end of the year.

I do not know the ins and outs of Haileybury but lots of brothers of Queenswood girls went there. I would check that the ethos for the girls to succeed is strong, or is there more for boys to do? How male is the environment?

I went to haileybury - I liked it but it was 20yrs ago ??

Queenswood definitely :)

We are very interested in Haileybury for 2018 13+ entry for a boy full boarder and would be pleased to hear from current parents. Our contacts with the school so far have been very positive and we have been impressed by the academic and music provision. Looking for scholarship(s) plus bursary. Anybody have experience of this. OP - the music and drama looks good, but I'm not too sure about provision for dance.

Do you really want single sex?

yes- ideally

We looked at Haileybury and Queenswood several and a few years back. Liked Haileybury and thought it would do well for an all rounder boy and girl
Provided you were OK with Saturday morning school ( good if you are a boarder). Queenswood - liked it but a little more concerned that not quite the energised atmosphere we wanted but certainly good for less confident girls perhaps. Just our impressions so people may know more or disagree. Would rather have sent a girl to Haileybury.

I work at Queenswood if you have any questions

Dusty - it is very intereting what you say about the energised atmosphere being lacking at Queenswood. We noticed a big drop off in "energy" about the school now in comparison to that fostered by the senior leadership team prior to this principal. The current leadership is sadly rather dull. The school tends to make all the students seem the same and the maverick type ones, who were fun, have disappeared. It is now all about "top show" as my Mother would say. Lots of traditions have been removed - muck up day for one. A much loved tradition. The girls who had an opinion, and were allowed to voice it, have been silenced and it seems rather mundane now in comparison to what it was. The school prided itself on allowing girls to grow into what they wanted to be, now they appear to grow into what the school wants them to be. Agreeable, pleasant, hard working, high achieving but not having a voice or personality. Young women need a voice in this world and they need to learn how to express themselves at school without censure.