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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Mount House School in Barnet

32 replies

littlebull · 17/01/2022 20:34

I've just been looking at private schools in North London as an option in case DC does not succeed with the super selective grammars.. it looks like a small, nurturing school which we like, but is it academic? Would appreciate some insight... thanks

OP posts:
XelaM · 09/12/2022 11:51

Mum2017 · 27/06/2022 11:01

The thread is not too old and I need some opinions.

I have a daughter in year 9 who goes to St John's in the Ridgeway. She has been struggling there for the last year or so with no support of her mental health and not getting better. She was adamant she will stay and 'cope' but clearly she needs change though it is perhaps the worst time having in mind the GCSE. So, we have been thinking of moving her Mount House but I am still unsure how academically good they are. Although St John's is brilliant on paper and it worked well for my son (19 now) but for her is a nightmare.

I would love to hear some feedback from people who are there really. Thank you

Sorry I know it's an older thread, but I just saw it. We changed from St John's to Mount House (as did many pupils we know). St John's is brilliant on paper and works for particular types of kids (who like discipline and don't mind very strict rules and teachers). Mount House is definitely more relaxed in that sense. I also haven't noticed that it's weaker than St Johns academically. I haven't yet met anyone who preferred St Johns to Mount House after experiencing both

XelaM · 09/12/2022 11:57

Just to give you a rough idea of strict St John's is on discipline... I showed the ITV documentary about "Britain's Strictest Headteacher" about the Michaela School to my daughter to tell her I will be sending her there if she doesn't behave at school 😂and her reaction was "St John's is actually stricter".

Soma · 09/12/2022 12:24

The not so new head at Mount House is very good and has worked in fully functioning schools before joining MHS.

Zesan · 18/03/2023 21:09

Mum2017 · 28/06/2022 16:04

We have been told that Mount House has a 5 years contract which expires this year (not sure if a contract or a lease) and the school, if not profitable enough, might change its usage (not to be a school anymore). Is that really possible or is only a rumour?
I guess pupils may need change for various reasons. Mine is struggling with friendships (or the lack of them or toxic relationships) at school and this is really affecting her a lot...

Further to above , how true is this? We have place for our daughter to start this September in Y7 and we were not told by the school anything about the above.
please share if anyone know about this and how would it affect …. Does this means they would close the school in near future?

XelaM · 18/03/2023 21:30

Haven't heard anything about that at all. My daughter is in year 8 and the school appears to be getting more popular if anything and no sign of financial hardship. They have countless clubs and many residential trips abroad - New York, golf/tennis trip to Portugal, Morocco, ski trips, plus many trips within the UK etc etc. Big choice of GCSE subjects. Doesn't seem to be in financial difficulties. My daughter is happy there.

NOTANUM · 19/03/2023 12:17

Never heard it either and know a dozen or so at the school.
Up to sixth form, it’s a perfectly decent choice.
After that I’m not sure as so many leave.

Goonerfam · 21/03/2023 20:21

I've got a child at Mount House and this was not my best decision. At the outset I was drawn to the fact that it was a small, nurturing school. However the downside is that when there is an issue or problem with a kid in the school, your child cannot get away from them. They have to deal with those problem kids day in, day out. (only approx 220 pupils in the whole school). The school is owned by Venture capitalists and it sometime feels that they let it any students just to get the numbers up. I don't mean students with disabilities or learning difficulties but problematic and disruptive children that other schools wouldn't accept. If I was asked by friends whether to send their children here, i would tell them to AVOID Mount House. There are far better schools to send your child to and I don't mean St Johns. The facilities at MH are pretty poor as well. On a positive note I have found the teachers to be good. In regards to the financials they made a loss of £40k last year and owe millions to their group undertakings - you can find their accounts at Companies House... just search MHS 1 Ltd.

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