Habs Boys or St Albans Boys

[pubandstate]

Can someone pls let me know which school out of the two is better when it comes to sending your DS, a bright, all-rounder. We are looking for a traditional school which has a national reputation with good academic standing and bring out the best in boys. We live not too far from both schools.
Pls advise.

Elevenplusexams.co.uk forum seems to have more focus on these 2 schools than Mumsnet.

thanks. I'm referring to 13+ entrance.

I don't understand how people can ask strangers which school to send their child to. Did you visit? Which felt like best for your son? You might get better answer if you ask specific questions eg sports, drama, art, music, pastoral care, I don't know, but whatever is important to you & your son

thanks, I got your point. but do you know anything about the two schools.

Both are excellent schools with good reputations. Any differences will be down to personal preferences. What was your gut feeling when you visited? Which would your son like to go to?

I did like the characteristic location of STA similar to Eton or Harrow but the school feels a bit compact and sporting grounds are few minutes drive away. Habs looks modern and spaces but in a greenfield away from the city. Habs academic results is a plus point. Its very multicultural and lots of Asian boys almost 75 percent sat for the 13 plus, where STA is almost the opposite. my DS like both schools.
Does Habs have an upper hand over STA as a school or is it the otherway.

What sort of person "drives for a few minutes"? Eton boys walk everywhere and are much the better for it. No wonder the St Albans "coaches" (not buses) block the roads around the school and cathedral.

STA playgrounds are about 2 miles away from the school site.
Is Habs a Public School.

Of course it's public school, you pay for it. It's just a posh word for "private".

thank you Mustbetimeforachange.
If you were in my position which school you prefer and WHY.

Naturally Haberdashers School. After seeing few schools like Sevenoaks Independent school, kings college wimbledon, whitgift ,eltham college,and Haberdashers my impression and feel about St.Albans boys fell below - not so impressed with the head neither. Go have a look at other schools then you will be able to take a call on your own.
My choice would be Habs for sure between St Albans and Habs....

Are you just interested in reputation and kudos? Sounds like it to be honest. In terms of being public schools, they aren’t. Public schools are boys boarding schools (some now mixed) which start at 13.

You can look up exam results to see which performs better and email school for more detailed breakdown of exactly what you want to know - if there is something specific, such as uni destinations, no.s taking particular subjects etc. Consider your child and their interests - a key thing you will be paying for is wider opportunities and to only look at academics is to miss a crucial part of what these schools offer - make sure there is a good offering in areas to enrich your child. Go and visit again and ask to be shown round by an older child who has similarities to your child.

No one on here can tell you what suits your child. Both are good schools with good results. One might get a few % more at GCSE or A level but does this mean it is a better school or your son will do better there - prob not. So unless you’re only interested in being able to say your child is at a school which is perhaps 5 or 10 places different in national league tables (which really will be v marginal) think instead about things which will make a difference to him specifically in terms of interests, ethos, location etc.

We are looking for a traditional school which has a national reputation

As WombatChocolate said, it really sounds as if you are looking for a school which will impress other people, rather than considering which one would be the best fit for your DS as an individual. But if your DS genuinely has the same criterionas his main consideration, then whichever school others perceive as more prestigious will be the best for him and I'm sure that he will be happy at whichever school you choose.

Personally, once the options were narrowed down to those two, I'd go for the one my DC could get to easily by public transport, whatever my neighbours or relatives or a bunch of random strangers on the internet might think.

conscience13 and WombatChocolate,
thank you so much for your time and advise, they are valuable to me.

I have arranged another visit to see both schools again and have many questions to throw at them.

What are your priorities ? Is it to impress other people or genuinely looking for something good for your child ? You should know your priorities better and make a list...... remember all the big names are not really great....they have so many issues within school like bullying etc.....
It is like having an iPhone and Samsung... iPhone is just a brand but not very user friendly where as Samsung is user friendly and gives what you want....I don't go for brand and name or impressing people...but I would prefer to send my son to a school where he is genuinely happy as shelling out money should be worthwhile.....it depends on your priorities again ....you want to drive BMW or Toyota ....I would go for user friendly what fits me...i.e being practical...

I absolutely agree with wombatchocolate and marchingfrogs.

thank you, everyone, for the inputs.
I am not trying to impress anyone, I believe well knows schools have reached those levels due to their end products.
My DS is academic and eager to learn, good at public speaking and debating. Do enjoy, sports, music and drama. Enthusiasm is what drives him most. his ambition is to end up at Oxbridge. As a parent, I am only trying to help him. Genuinely looking for a good school where he can flurish. No Show Off.

Hi consience13
What are the reasons you are not too impressed by the St Albans head.

HABS is a very busy school. You will get around an hour of homework almost every day, which increases every year. You need to be very organised and able to cope with a fairly large amount of pressure. Most people there can cope but there is almost always a few times that you will forget homework. The teachers are usually okay with it though and tell you to hand it in for the next day. The teachers are overall very nice people and aren’t too strict. There are many lunch time and after school clubs which the school encourages you to go to. The school encourages you to relax as well and you get no holiday homework up until year 10 or 11. It is a difficult school but if you can adapt, stay organised and cope with pressure, then you should be okay.

Thank you Unbeatenflame,
very valuable points.
my DS is very optimistic, academic and keen to do well. good in public speaking, debating, chess and maths, he likes sports too. He wants to go to a school where he believes he will be challenged, doesn't mind being at the bottom of the class.
My concern is bullying and how the boy's treat newcomers.

also my concerns are, do they make well-rounded boys or is it an academic factory.