Moving to St Al or Harpenden?

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We are moving from Enfield and looking for a good secondary school for 2 dd. I am totally struggling with a decision on which school to aim for.

We'd either rent or but but we'd like to move over the next 6 month. DD1 is starting year 5 in september.

So far I like what I have read about St Georges, STAGS, Beaumont and possibly Loretto (we are catholic with a small c....). I know they are all oversubscribed which in itself is stressing me out no end but if you have any experience with these schools can you please share your thoughts, i think i am going mad with the stress of it.

Thank you.

Also at the end of the day is it nicer to live in harpenden or st al thank you.

You might be better staying in Enfield where you have DAOS, Enfield grammar and Latymer amongst others. I've known children in all the schools you mention and some have got on very well and some have found them disappointing. Both Harpenden and St Albans are very pleasant but have, in my experience, more than their fair share of pushy parents (and probably plenty of very nice parents too). Personally, I wouldn't move house for any of those schools.

Have you visited both places? Harpenden is a lot smaller obviously, much more to do in St Albans.

As a teenager they'll have a lot more freedom living in St Albans than Harpenden. Harpenden is beautiful but there's not a lot going on. St Albans has heaps of shops, a cinema, theatre, loads more coffee shops etc.

I have friends with children at St George's and Loretto. Both are extremely happy, as are their children. Sandringham School in St Albans has a lovely feel to it too, and a good reputation. I work there occasionally (not in a teaching capacity) and it just has a good vibe.

Sorry, and friends with girls at STAGS. Again, very happy. They chose STAGS over Loretto.

Not Harpenden
Personally I'd stay in Enfield- I bitterly regret moving further out. If I had my time again I wouldn't do it.

All good schools. At the moment Sandringham seems the be marginally doing better than Beaumont and seems to have a better reputation amongst parents. But a lot will depend on the area you move on because generally you will get your closest school.

I live in Harpenden - have friends whose dcs go to St George's and they are very happy, also the Lorreto and Stags. We don't do god, so my dcs go to SJL, again no complaints.
Parents tend to be very invested in their kid's education, kids desperate to do well, loads of pressure. Lot's of after school activities, big scout movement, quite an active community. Harpenden can often feel like a big village, with everyone knowing everyone else - it feels safe and friendly, maybe a bit dull after London but everything is just a train ride away. Try to join the Harpenden parents network on facebook, I think St Albans has one too, you might get a better feel for the community. We would have happily lived in either but a house came up in Harpenden first.