Hornsey girls or Highgate wood?

[longestlurkerever]

Bit of a niche question but since we can't look around at the moment does anyone have views about how to choose between these schools beyond the obvious difference that one is a girls' school and one co ed?

I live very close to Hornsey School for Girls and have a child in Y6. We didn't even name Hornsey School for Girls on our form (chose Highgate Wood instead). Same as you, we couldn't view either but I have friends with children in both schools and one friend actually moved her daughter last September after just two weeks due to bullying and threats of violence in Y7 which the school didn't adequately address. She is now very happy in Highgate Wood.
Obviously this is just one person, but this put me off massively, that and seeing some of the extremely full on pupils walking up and down our road screeching, littering and occasionally fighting. But maybe that happens elsewhere too.
For full disclosure, friends with kids at Highgate Wood think it is overall a good school but I know were disappointed with the Covid provision.

I have a child at HW and a child in a nearby outstanding and much sought after school. The COVID provision at HW has been fantastic in comparison and all the school communication with the parents. I have been super impressed with HW and my child is very happy there. There are lots of local children there whereas HSG girls come from far and wide as there is no catchment. For me HW is a no brainer. Good luck.

Thanks both. Slight catch is we may not get a place at Highgate wood, at least not in time for start of y7.

Fingers crossed; from my Y6 cohort I know there will be a lot of movement especially this year with quite a few now moving out of London so you may be ok.

Yes that is what has put it back on my radar! Though actually I have found the September cut off distances and most years we would be within, though we are quite a way off the March figures. My daughter is y5 at the moment.

Bit late for this years applications, but I've just moved my dd from Hornsey School for Girls due to unmanaged bullying.

She's in Y10, so obviously not something we did lightly.

The lack of leadership and inability to follow basic policies and protocols was truly jaw-dropping.

Prior to that, the high turnover of teachers and lack of leadership hadn't been great, and these weakness really came to the fore when my dd had problems.

Our old babysitter was at Highgate Wood and loved it, aced her A levels and is now at a great uni.