Liberal not highly selective but good secondary schools NL

[Waytacha]

Hello,
I’m looking for any advice regarding independent secondary school in North London or not excessively far. My son is bright happy and sociable yet we haven’t done the rigorous preparing the highly selective school require. Would really appreciate the heads up on good all rounded schools to consider.
Thanks!

Belmont/Mill Hill, Forest, King Alfred, Northbridge House, Portland Place and St Chris in Letchworth has a bus that goes to North London daily, kids leave about 7:30 come back about 4-5.

Aldenham also has a number of NL bus routes.

Thank you! There were a couple I hadn’t known about. Appreciate the help!

Just an added question: is getting into St Chris hard? We really like the sound of the school.

Thanks!

No, it's not known to be very selective. They have very good SEN provision.

Hi @Weytacha
Depends what you're looking for....

• Mill Hill / Belmont - very large / great sports facilities / non academic
• King Alfreds is amazing - but places for Y7 are competitive - as most of their Prep move through.

-Northbridge - awful - but take any child - so guaranteed place.

Heathside is worth a look. My DD is in Year 8. Non selective, coed, very well rounded but academically rigorous. They have both prep provision and all through - now to GCSE.
Had a wobble two years ago with previous owner - now under Dukes Education and have an amazing new Head.

@Malmontar is right - think St Chris' is mainly SEN.... know of three children who go - all nice families but all SEN not mainstream....

@PipaJJ very accurate descriptions ! LOL Completely agree - hearing great things about Heathside again!

@Lucinda76 Its not mainly SEN but they do have great provision. We went to look at it 2 years ago for SEN DD for y7 entry. I think the parents from N London who send kids all the way there are normally parents of SEN kids who are fed up of N London culture or are priced out of K Alfred and Heathside/didn't get a place. The % of SEN is quite small and they are v picky with who they allow in. It's academically quite rigorous so obv restrict what SEN they can accept.

Does Hearthside actually go up to GCSE? Their website only says 13.

Thanks for clarifying @Malmontar!

I hear through the gossip of Hampstead - that - yes - Heathside successfully applied for GCSE provision over the summer. Although they wont have Year 10 til 2021/22 when they move into their new Upper school site.

Such an outstanding school - great to see it flying again under Dukes.

@Lucinda76 ah that's really interesting. We didn't look at it as it was going through that horrible period at the time. Glad it's on the up again.

Northbridge - awful - but take any child - so guaranteed place

I’d love to know in what way it’s awful? My DC are state educated but I know a fair few parents who chose this over the local state secondaries, even the holy grail of CSG. They’re bright people. It can’t be that bad?

Maida Vale School worth a look.