North London secondary schools - faves please!

[ZucchiniPie]

DD is in Year 4 so the secondary school question is beginning to loom. Having rented for years in Whitehall Park N19 and driving myself crazy that we haven't bought, I guess it does mean that if we want to think about moving house for schools, we are in a good position to do that.

So, without any dramatic geographical shift (i.e. I don't think we're contemplating a sudden move south of the river or way out to the west), which schools/areas might we want to consider?

I know bits about all the usual suspects near us (Highgate Wood, APS, Fortismere, Acland Burghley, Parliament Hill) but not necessarily the most current information. But for instance I only even heard of Hornsey School for Girls' existence yesterday and it sounds quite good! So that's an example of my general ignorance on schools.

And no doubt there are others further away from us (Hackney, etc.) which we might seriously consider doing a house move for if we found out we loved them.

No definite preference for mixed or single sex. The main concern I have (other than wanting a good standard of teaching and value placed on music, art, etc., not just strict academic performance) is behaviour. Just somewhere where kids treat each other with decency and respect.

Thanks all!

We are about two miles from AB. Haverstock seems to be doing really badly at moment, on a par with Regent High. I used to quite like it.
Interesting about UCL AC and gangs. I had no idea. Probably the case with all of them though! I love the vibe at AB. I put RH 6th, because at least it is a closer crap school than others.

Haverstock has a new head and they are throwing everything into turning it around I hear. What about Hampstead? Catchment is a mile or so usually (though it did halve last year from 2017)

I didn't know that about Haverstock. I should take another look.

Maybe 2 miles is a bit of a stretch from AB, at least on offers day. You may be lucky with the waiting list, I do hope so.

We didn’t look at Haverstock as it’s too far from us. There were parents and children from there st Meet The Parents events though. They only had good things to say about it. I do wonder if it’s going to do an AB turnaround. It would be great if Haverstock could get back it’s old good reputation.

I’m afraid I can’t even remember what school Regent High used to be.

We are 0.94m from AB and didn’t get offered today. But a lot of hope of the wait list. At 2 miles I don’t think I’d even hope.

Regent High was South Camden Community College. It's the one school in Camden that's never been very highly-regarded AFAIK.

0.94 from AB should give you a decent chance avel? Fingers crossed for you.

I hope Haverstock gets its mojo back too, it's been really knocked by UCL opening up and the new Harris at what used to be Quintin Kynaston will have had an effect too (though not everyone is keen on the Harris way).

0.94 from AB gets us #75 on the wait list :o oh dear!

Yikes avel! Sounds like you will have to hold your nerve...

bloomin' heck. Incredible!

Blimey!

It’s lovely that AB has become more popular, shows they must be doing something right? I only hope they carry on doing it. I am a bit concerned the head will get it up to speed and move on. I’d need a lot to convince me that all the other teachers were on board.

Not great for those children who would have historically got a place.

I guess you’ll appeal Avel? I’d assume your case would be strong seeing as how your child has autism and the school is the secondary autism base for Camden ?

Right, BHSTowel - seems like a really good appeal logic to me (plus sensory issues related to clothing and no other non uniform schools in shooting distance...) but we will see!

My nieces are at Parliament Hill (Y10) and Highgate Wood (Y8). Both very happy. I think PH may be the higher performing of the two, but youngest niece is extremely bright and still happy with HW, and has found a good bunch of friends there even though she is rather unconventional.

ZucchiniPie yes Hornsey School for Girls is a good school, and not quite over-subscribed but becoming more popular again.

A previous poster commented that 'it has a large Muslim intake from outside the area'. I don't see this as a problem or anything to deter families with girls applying, even if it were true (although it's not - most of the girls live in Haringey/Islington).