Ashmole Academy and Highlands school (Southgate)

[goteam]

Considering a move to Southgate / Winchmore Hill and looking into secondaries. Noth of these schools look great. Ashmole gets fantastic results but I note most student destinations are STEM so wondering if the school supports more artistic, musical, humanities loving kids. Hadn't heard of Highlands until we began looking into houses but this also looks pretty decent but in Winchmore Hill, adjacent to Southgate. We like both areas but need to work out which school we want to be nearer.

The family did live on the other end of the street, but still the same street! My dad lives about a mile away and all the neighbours talk about it when a new family moves in I think Ashmole was in a national newspaper a few years ago as the 2nd best comp in the country or something

@ThedaBara

The family did live on the other end of the street, but still the same street! My dad lives about a mile away and all the neighbours talk about it when a new family moves in I think Ashmole was in a national newspaper a few years ago as the 2nd best comp in the country or something

Is it a diverse school?

Not as diverse as say, Broomfield down the road. Affluent families move to the are for the school, so it skews demographics a bit, but not overwhelmingly white for London if that's what you mean. id say a good mix

@Ichangedmynameonce

Ashmole has a tiny catchment. We live a fair bit under a mile away and wouldn't get in.

A small no each year get in on musical aptitude, so it is something they value. Ashmole is quite marmite- it would not have been right for my son, but my daughter would have loved it.

@Ichangedmynameonce In what way is Ashmole "marmite"? Am considering it for DD but it would be the musical route as we are not in catchment. She's very creative and arty; would it not be a good fit?

@Mitchellernie I have heard from friends of friends who go there that they really push the kids to get the results they do. This friend of a friend was in catchment but actually decided on another school because they didn't think their child would work well under pressure.

But that is just anecdotal. I guess, you need to visit to get a real feel for it.

Good to get other views on here too. I only heard that view very recently

[quote goteam]@Mitchellernie I have heard from friends of friends who go there that they really push the kids to get the results they do. This friend of a friend was in catchment but actually decided on another school because they didn't think their child would work well under pressure.

But that is just anecdotal. I guess, you need to visit to get a real feel for it.[/quote]
I guess this could be a good thing and a bad thing
Their results are very high but i always think there is more to a school than results

I recently went to Highlands School open evening - I have to say it just felt like a breath of fresh air. I don't know if you decided on one or the other - pastoral care is excellent in one and it came across. The other open evening in Ashmole was like - "we are what we are - we don't have to try to impress" our school is a feeder school to Ashmole so it is highly likely our dd will get in due to catchment etc. We decided to rank them low on our list as though our child is bright we don't want a latymer situation where she's in a school where if you perform you are nurtured. I want her to attend a school that will inspire her to learn and she will have breathing space. Highlands seems to fit the bill. Both schools offer excellent facilities - the vibe seems more fun in Highlands, Ashmole seems more "executive"

Can’t comment on Ashmole, but can on Highlands as I have a child there. It’s a great school, highly sought after, the new Head is great, focusing on a positive learning experience for all. My child is doing very well there and I expect that to continue. Pastoral care is very good. I also went to the recent open evening and there is a buzz about the place and lots of local families were very impressed. In normal non-Covid times, there’s lots of extra curricular, sports, drama etc. I also hear about Wren, Enfield. It has a good reputation from its Wren Finchley site, Parents are to date very happy with the school. I know people in the catchment for both, and many are still choosing highlands. The catchment for Wren is shrinking if you are non church going (approx .7 mile from memory). Many church going families from winchmore hill are even moving closer to guarantee themselves a place. If you move to Winchmore Hill which is lovely with its cafe culture and period houses, you might be out of catchment for Highlands, in with a chance for Wren (church place) but guaranteed Winchmores, which is a school most definitely on the up. I am deciding today between Highlands and Latymer.