Mill Hill (Belmont)

[BarnetMum1]

Advice needed ASAP please! Delighted that DS has been offered a scholarship place to Belmont (Mill Hill) for Sept 2019, and we're waiting to hear the results from Habs (and others) this Friday. Can't decide which way to go if he gets an offer from Habs (assuming non-scholarship!). Obvs Habs is much better academically, but I keep hearing that MH is on the way up academically, and it seems a very happy place (we also love the grounds & facilities). Would we be mad to turn down Habs for MH? Does anyone have inside info on how MH is currently, is the Head good, and are the results getting better, and is it worth the money? Many thanks for any input!

Well done to your DS on getting the scholarship and good luck for Friday.

Belmont/Mill Hill is our local independent school. I don't know much about it but locally, it is not seen as an academic school but considered an excellent school for sports. I suppose it depends on your DS and the significance of the scholarship to your finances.

Thanks Mamaof2cuties, I was hoping it was climbing the charts academically!

If you look at the GCSE league tables for independents it was pretty low down last year, not in the top 100. I think 50 something% of all grades were A and A star grades, whereas Habs was quite high in the tables. I think around 90% A and A star grades. But from what you said, your DS will be one of the 50 percent getting the As at Mill Hill or the 90 getting them at Habs as he'll do well wherever he goes. Habs select out the boys from their primary who aren't likely to get top grades whereas some of the kids at Mill Hill getting lower grades have been there since nursery, some have special needs etc - so it's a nurturing school with mixed ability. I think Habs is a harsher environment.

Thanks Taminini - it's hard to know whether Habs would be too harsh for him or if he'd be fine with it. I have heard a few scare stories of boys being miserable there due to the pressure and that's the last thing I'd want. Hmmmm...

I have experience of both Habs and Belmont. They are both great schools. Teaching standards at Belmont are as high and the curriculum is as wide and creative as it is at Habs. A place at Habs is very hard to turn down and if your child would thrive in an ultra competitive environment, Habs is great.
However I am sure he would do well and undoubtedly be at the top at Belmont/Mill Hill which is a very happy place to be. There are many bright, motivated DCs there and I have seen that they stretch and motivate in the right way. Good luck with your choice.

Many thanks for the feedback x

People have been saying that mill hill is on the way up for the last 10 year. I don’t think that it is or ever will be as there are too many more selective academic private schools which cream off the top kids and Too many state schools with better results (HBS, QE Boys, mill hill county, fortismere the Jewish schools) which makes lots of parents reluctant to pay for what they can get for free

Congratulations to your DS! I have friends with children at both Belmont and Habs. Personally I would find it hard to turn down an offer from Habs. I understand that Belmont is a lovely school but the results aren't in the same league as Habs and I know that they do lose children to more 'academic' schools at year 7. I haven't heard any scare stories about Habs - the children I know who go there seem very happy.

Congratulations to your DS!

Just wondering how to apply for the scholarship in Belmont? Does the kid need to have special talent or do extremely well in the entrance exam?