Henrietta Barnett School vs North London Private Schools

[user1477356791]

My DD is in Group A after the second round of the HBS 11 plus exam, which means she is likely to get a place. She will also be sitting NLCS, SHHS and Highgate. I think she has a good chance of getting into all schools.
My DD currently attends a selective private school in SW London but we will be moving to Hampstead, so we are looking for a school in North London.
I wonder if HBS offers altogether less with regards to general opportunities compared to private schools and is mainly very academic.
I was extremely impressed by the Head of NLCS and then heard she will be leaving!! Less impressed by the Heads of SHHS and Highgate.
Any advice on HBS compared to North London private schools would be greatly appreciated.

I would personally choose NL over SH as I think it's a more interesting school.

I'd be torn between NL and HB. NL is just so beautiful and the facilities are amazing. But the bottom line is many girls are from wealthy families and it can give a slightly false impression of life.

HB will have more girls from families with a normal income, so slightly more representative, albeit a grammar in a wealthy area of the country.

My cousin was head girl at NL went on to Oxford and a successful career in law.

They're both excellent schools so I think it would come down to what environment your DD would prefer.

Gah! Zombie thread. You might want to start your own Shalideep.

Thank you so much!

My DD has been invited for an interview at NLCS in a few days. We don't have a clue what the interview entails or what to expect. I've heard they have some puzzles/mental maths as a part of the interview process. I'd be grateful if anyone you could give some insights/tips.

Many thanks!!

Eat the biscuits. They are there to relax them and keep their blood sugar up in case they were too nervous to eat properly. Encourage DD to chat with the On Duty girls in yr 7+8. Nothing scary goes on in the interview room. Just trying to gauge how your DD thinks and if she's right for the school. No prep needed or possible. In 10 years, I have never seen a girl come out upset- chocolates always provided at the end.
You should take the opportunity to chat to the parents' guild mums away from DD. They can answer any questions you might be reticent about asking the staff.

Some great advice, thanks horsemadmom!!

you're welcome! Good luck!