St Christophers (Letchworth) v King Alfreds (Hempstead)

[Timetochoose123]

I would love some advise from any mums who have experience of either of these two schools. I can see in the past they have been compared in the past but the threads are a little old too to resurrect. I am hoping someone who contributed might still be around or some current mums!

I am looking for a school for my DD. If you have a child who entered at year 7, how difficult did you find it to get a space? And how, if you like me were comparing the two schools, did you decide one over the other? They are in very different locations however the London bus makes St Chris accessible for us.

I am wondering how easy / difficult it might be for a child to enter in year 7 after most children would have been in school together since reception. Any insight at all gratefully received.

Sorry... Hampstead!

Just bumping this as I sent it so late at night...

I don’t have any direct experience of either school but very familiar with private schools generally in Hampstead.

Have you asked King Alfreds if there is a yr 7 place available. Because it is a very unique school it is very popular and heavily oversubscribed.

Thanks for your reply. KA said that if we apply now she would need to attend a workshop/assessment day - there are only around 10 spaces I believe. The uniqueness of these two schools is what I feel might suit her so much.

My son has just left year 13 at king alfreds.
He started in upper school. The school in not a selective entrance but there are some extra places going into upper school (school runs from age 4). Children do tests for these as they improve the academic standard of pupils (I cant remember exactly what tests are) they used to be interviewed as KAS had a very specific ethos that definitely wouldnt have suited everyone. the entry tests are nowhere near on the same level as entrance exams for the high pressure hampstead area schools but you will get a place if your child really swots up.
I have always been a real advocate of king alfred. It grows fully developed people with a huge ability to question, think and have free mindsets. I can see a difference but it's very often commented on by people about KAS children. There has always been much less emphasis on doing for doings sake, and more about questioning what you do and why. My child has also never done a days homework or been pushed at all but still did well and got unconditional offers at art school which I put down to the philosophy he did things because he could see the benefit himself, and he only has himself to answer to. (School is very non pushy but this verges on wildly chaotic which can be infuriating).
The school took on a new headmaster a few years ago who replaced the headmistress of many years. The difference is vast. Previously school probably wasnt run well as a business etc but it had an undeniable enthusiasm, life and passion that was contagious amongst all the teachers,staff and definitely pupils. It was a really inspiring place to be . I would have liked to go to school there myself!
The new head is lacklustre. A real grey man. He has no spirit himself and that's very evident in the school now. It was very noticed by my sons year. The new head is working to improve the school ftom a business perspective including taking in a few more children each year. There is a new building almost completed etc but the school has turned, in my opinion in to a shadow. It was the joy, spirit and enthusiasm that embraced individuality and uniqueness, that made it a school where children wanted to be even in the holidays . The new head is gradually mainstreaming it, but without putting in the powerhouse measures that a lot of other local independents have. He has tried to start school uniform which was rejected by everyone but I am sure this will happen. I am afraid KAS will end up as a mediocre school that doesn't inspire but lives off its old reputation. Thus really saddens me as I have another child who will need a school bt I am ruling KAS out. If they change headteachers I'd look again. It will s very difficult in the area as school are famous for being hothouse which I don't agree with at all.
My son had a great time at school but the gradual weedling out of the old style teachers took away a lot of the pleasure. He ended up disliking school immensely as did many of his year .
I would be happy to answer any other questions you have.

Thank you so much for your response. I found it very useful. I am a passionate believer in this...

"It grows fully developed people with a huge ability to question, think and have free mindsets. I can see a difference but it's very often commented on by people about KAS children. There has always been much less emphasis on doing for doings sake, and more about questioning what you do and why."

It is sad to hear your feedback which seems to be a slow undoing of this. My goodness who ever recruited that head has a lot to answer for, as it is all those things that sound so wonderful and things I am a huge advocate of. If they implemented uniform and a more mainstream approach I wouldn't be interested for my DD at all. Is there much push back from parents? I'm wondering how quickly these changes might happen...

If you like that creative, slightly alternative mindset you could do worse than look at Acland Burghley in Tufnell Park.

I grew up and lived in Letchworth for 30 years and know of St Christopher's reputation well through friends children.

It has a decent reputation and I believe a very high standard of grades. It's in a lovely area by the golf course and 5 minutes drive from the town and train station.

Ahh I miss living there

I know people who have left St Christopher’s because it wasn’t academic enough and attracted too many “alternative “ children. Depends entirely on what you want and where you fit in.

Thank you for all your replies. "Alternative" I guess is a vast description... sadly I think a girl who loves to get mucky, climb trees, touch worms (and be told she's weird) isn't afraid to play with the boys (and be told she must have a crush on them), freely get up and dance when the teacher beats a drum and invites them to move and not care what she looks like (with other girls tell her she is weird again)... is alternative to some. Her love of these things and passion for learning and curiosity has been described as weird by some kids, which is upsetting as it's been so fostered for her to be her authentic self. I want an environment which embraces rather than crushes that. She isn't interested in fashion, secret notepads, talking about other girls or what she'll wear to the school disco... no judgment if you do just prefer no judgment if you don't. A diverse environment is great, not everyone has to be the same way just wondering if there's a school which encourages students to truly embrace and celebrate being an individual.

Hiya. I have a son at St Chris who gets the bus from London. DM.
All I can say is he loves it. Great teachers, fabulous facilities and lovely set of kids. Has some drawbacks. Also chose St Chris over KAS. I can email you back if DM x

@nuggles

I grew up and lived in Letchworth for 30 years and know of St Christopher's reputation well through friends children.

It has a decent reputation and I believe a very high standard of grades. It's in a lovely area by the golf course and 5 minutes drive from the town and train station.

Ahh I miss living there

You miss Letchworth? I grew up there and don’t miss it although don’t live too far away so occasionally go back.

As for the schools, I went to the St Chris rival and pupils from the two schools pretty much hated each other. We thought they were flighty with no discipline and they thought we were stuck up. I suspect the truth is different in both cases.

KAS is the only one I know and I don't think it's quite what you're after. It had a lot of celeb kids who had parents who were attracted to it because it's "hands off" and means parents need do bugger all. It's where all the behaviour problem kids in our pre-prep went. They were not kind children! The new head hasn't been well received but was necessary because the levels of chaos that came with the old head. Shame they couldn't have found someone in the middle.

@MrsMummy500

Hiya. I have a son at St Chris who gets the bus from London. DM. All I can say is he loves it. Great teachers, fabulous facilities and lovely set of kids. Has some drawbacks. Also chose St Chris over KAS. I can email you back if DM x

I will send you a DM thank you, would love to ask a few further questions!

Only just saw these messages, some great info here. Of the two I think St Chris is sounding like the better fit. Two progressive approaches yet what sounds like two very different environments.

Hello @Timetochoose123

I agree with the various replies.... @GlamGiraffe KAS has lost its spark since the old Headmistress left and yes from what I've heard the Head now is definitely 'Grey'. I also agree with @bigbradford - St Christopher's takes anyone - so you run the risk of skewed classes and I too have known many families who have left as learning was difficult owing to disruption.
So what's the alternative ..... with the spark of the old KAS, but well run and the flexibility of St Christopher's, but with a academic focus.....I think this is Heathside. New Head, now owned by Dukes Education, Inclusive, Academic and CoEd in the heart of Hampstead Village...... worth considering.....

Coming late to this chat @Timetochoose123 but would like to put in a good word for KAS - have 2 DC's there, in year 11 and 5 so both ends of the journey so to speak. New head is a committed educator, and fully embraces the ethos of KAS and its uniqueness - he hosted 2 educational conferences at school (until covid shut this down) which were fascinating - attended by teachers and speakers from across the globe, I think there are transcripts on the KAS website and they're definitely worth looking at. He may not be as 'colourful' as the old head, but he's extremely invested in exploring what an alternative education might look like, and invites discussion and feedback from the parent body regularly. Changes that have and are taking place in my view are more a streamlining of what was a fairly chaotic administration, and as they set their own curriculum I figure this should be constantly updated and reassessed, and amazing that they have the ability to do that considering how little wiggle room there is in the state system for this.
My year 5 DC started in reception, but my eldest went through the Y7 entry and it was difficult - so few places and we only got one because of a last minute drop out. However like most london schools, the waiting list for occasional places is worth joining as there's always movement.
My only negative (although also a positive) is that as it's such a small school, if a child isn't happy with their social circle, there aren't many alternatives. Pastoral care though is excellent I think. My DC had a wobble joining a year group of mostly old friends, but it was soon resolved.

Happy to be DM'd if you need more info! :-)

I know I'm super late to this thread, but I wondered whether @MrsMummy500 you might be able to give me any further info on St Chris? We have just discovered it and are interested. Would love to hear from an existing parent. Thanks so much

Hi @ladedaI’m also looking for current info on St Chris! Did you get anywhere? We have a 9 yr old girl. Not sure if @MrsMummy500 ended up going for St Chris but would love to know the outcome if so! Thanks 😊

Hiya! Both my DS are at St Chris and they adore it. I only have great things to say about it. Happy to have a convo - so DM. X

Coming to this threat late, but just wanted to add that I would avoid St Chris. It has been on a steady decline for a few years now, but do a great job of papering over the cracks. They take pretty much anyone, don't track students properly (academically or otherwise - if you are a current parent, ask to see the regular tracking data that you would in a state school, it doesn't exist), the support is at best hit-and-miss, at worst non-existent (including the SEN and pastoral care), and there are none of the frills that you would expect from such an expensive school (including virtually no after-school clubs). The areas for the students are awful, including very run-down common rooms and the sort of classrooms you'd see in a large comprehensive in the same area. Some staff are great and are trying hard in a difficult situation, others are dreadful, and some are not even properly qualified. Three heads in the past four years, failed their inspection last year, massive internal political issues: in short, it's a mess. Any school can put on a good "social media" face, but drill down and ask harder questions, and you'll find a lot of fluff and waffle and not a lot more. We withdrew our son from the senior school in the end, and over the years we saw many other parents do the same - a huge number leave at the end of year 11 for a reason.