UCS Hampstead v City Boys

[deep501]

Hi all, how do the 2 compare? Both DS are fairly academic and have offers, trying to choose. Elder son is sporty, younger one likes music.
Have some location flexibility and can make either work.
Thanks!

UCS is a good school. ... And it's Sixth Form is co-ed.

City is a good school with a distinctive environment and, possibly, a culture of more independent personalities. The commute for many is a significant adjustment and they grow fast accordingly. ... Boys only throughout, too.

We had this choice and I think both would have been great and there's no bad option. We were swayed by the girls/no uniform in the sixth form and the sports ground being more convenient. The girls hanging around did make a real difference to the atmosphere when we were looking around. It makes the sixth form feel more collegiate and I have an irrational dislike of uniforms/business attire in sixth form.

UCS play rugby, City doesn't. In retrospect, ds would have preferred to have had more football as he found rugby a bit terrifying.

People love City and it's obviously a great school. I think it probably has a better mix socio-economically but frankly both are crap in this regard in comparison to the primary my kids attended and the secondary they would have gone to.

Have your DSs been round? To me they have such a different vibe and my DS wasn’t that keen on City, but loved the leafy Hampstead feel of UCS and fact there seemed more focus on arty subjects. What year are your DSs going in at? Have you been on waiting list? Seems like a strange point in year to be making this call.