Forest School, E17 or St Mary Mags, Islington. Have to decide TONIGHT...

[BBear]

Help - we 'reserved' a place at Forest School E17 and were v happy to send our child there (apart from the horrendous fees - have savings but it would be a struggle - both self employed) as we had no other suitable state option. However, today we've been offered a place at St Mary Magdalene, Islington! Does anyone have experience of either? Child is v v good at maths but slight dyslexia. Sorry to be a ditherer but I am v unwell and brain fog has set in. We have til tomorrow lunch to decide and I need some helpful opinions as I am getting over an operation and in a great deal of pain. Please help me Mumsnet...

Bumping for traffic...

Anyone...

Hi. I think there were other threads on St Marys on MN. Have a look. If funding for Forest would be tight I would suggest you go with St Marys. You can always move into Forest in a later year if you have to. Indie fees do increase by roughly 4-5% per annum we found so be absolutely sure you can afford it.

What's the commute time like to each school? Tbh if you have a good state offer I would take that rather than be sick with worry every year about earning money to cover fees, plus uniform, trips, extra curricular activities...

Thank you - good points. I think it boils down to I love Forest but is Mary Mags really so far behind - I thought the Head was impressive, it was great in terms of facilities (obviously not comparable in terms of grounds and space) and the pupils I met were very personable. Mary Mags would give a more normal inner city environment while Forest seems more sheltered - I'm not sure which is better. Have anyone's kids attended Mary Mags recently?

These threads should mention St Mary Mag as i did a search of the name

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3245252-North-London-secondary-schools-faves-please

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2935667-state-secondaries-islington-your-views

The parents I know with kids at Mary Mags chose it over other options, and have not regretted their choice.

You can’t compare overall results for a comprehensive and a selective private school, because you’re not comparing like with like. Look at the results both schools achieve for the cohort you’d expect your dad to be in, whether top 10%, top 50%, whatever.

Unless the money is not an issue for you I’d think very seriously about shelling out and doing a long bus journey when you could have a free local option on your doorstep.