Moving in North London for secondary (Parliament Hill) -- dilemma

[neversureaboutanything]

We live in Islington (Highbury) and like our neighborhood. Our kids go to a good (probably not great) primary school, and they have lots of friends and are happy here (as are we) -- 2 bright DDs in Year 2 and Year 4.

But we have two problems. First, we are outgrowing our flat and will need to buy something else soon (probably a bigger flat as we can't afford a house in most parts of London.) And second, I am just not crazy about the secondary schools near us (Highbury Grove, Highbury Girls, Stoke Newington School.) You can talk me out of this, but I have heard complaints about all of these, including from friends who teach at two of the above.

My dream school for DDs (right now ha!) is Parliament Hill. We could afford a bigger flat near there, as we could in our current neighborhood. But is PH worth moving neighborhoods for? And should I move primary schools too for both kids? And when? Isn't it hard to switch schools this late?

It seems a bit mad when they are happy where they are, but in the long run I don't want to say -- I was just too nervous about change, given that their happiness at secondary is so important. But if they (or we) hate the new primary or neighborhood, then I'll think, what have I done?

What I like about Parliament Hill is happy reports from parents, good results and excellent pastoral care, no uniform, lots of fresh air and beautiful buildings. I also like all-girls (though I know some disagree.)

Any thoughts are very welcome!

Is the difference between Highbury Fields and Parliament hill enough to uproot your lives for? I would have said they were fairly equal. And have you looked at Mary Magdalene?

My thought would be to not move a happy child.

I wonder if you’re only hearing the good things about Parli as it’s not quite local. I’ve never heard anything particularly negative about the schools you’ve mentioned.

Do you rent or do you own?

Thank you all! We own but we will have to move soon as our flat really is too small. Which is why I'm thinking about this now we have to move anyway.

I wonder if you're right Camdenish locally I have not heard great things about Highbury Fields at all strict and uncreative. Maybe I love Parli Hill because I know little about it besides the tour!

I am also from another country and really hate uniforms -- the sight of children in uncomfortable three-piece polyester suits that no adults would ever wear depresses me. I know this is controversial.

St. Mary's looks a bit more interesting and have heard good things but we would have to take the test which makes me anxious.

Secondary school uniforms do tend to be awful, I agree.

Parli is a nice school and not too far away from you. What would be the logistics of moving close to Parli but keeping the children at their current primary? You could always go on waiting lists for primaries near to the new flat and see how you feel if you get a place.

Mary mags good for music apparently. Primary very religious but secondary isn't. Sounds like yours wouldn't struggle with test.

Highbury Fields uniform isn't that bad. Sweatshirt not blazer.

Agree with PP that the only reason you're not hearing bad things is that you're further away..

I have name changed for this as otherwise might be too identifying. I live in your neighbourhood OP. It is a big dilemma. Mary Mags is the “middle class” choice. It gets good results - if not outstanding - but what makes it an attractive choice for parents is that it has a good school with a good mix of children. The “language aptitude test” is used to attract those MC kids who would not get in on distance. But there is no guarantee of getting a place even if you think your children are “bright” as not all children are good at those sort of tests.

Highbury Fields apparently gets good results but i see the girls very often when I walk past - coming out or doing PE - and I have seen some really bad behaviour. And as you probably know, Highbury Grove was extremely well regarded for a while but then had some very serious behaviour problems, which has led to it becoming a very strict academy.

I have also heard good things about Parliament Hill. My dd ended up going to an independent school as neither HF or HG would have suited her but if independent had not been an option then I probably would have moved to Camden which has some better options for girls. There is also Camden Girls.

I'm curious as to why you think badly about Highbury Fields?

I've viewed it and was very impressed. I have also only heard good things about it locally. The main negative is probably the small site.

On the other hand I do know those who have poor things to say about Parliament hill, and bullying, bad behaviour and poor pastoral care features. I personally wouldn't see it as a school worth moving for.

@Camdenish

My thought would be to not move a happy child.

I wonder if you’re only hearing the good things about Parli as it’s not quite local. I’ve never heard anything particularly negative about the schools you’ve mentioned.

Do you rent or do you own?

I met a London parent (years ago, before social media) who reckoned that everyone sent their kids to the next school along because they weren't impressed by the behaviour of the kids they saw going in and out of the nearest one!

Thank you so much, everyone! This is immensely helpful.

@hibbledibble It's not that I think Highbury Fields is bad (heard bullying is very low there, actually), it just seemed unimaginative? (Or so parents I know say). And I've read some not-great-stuff here about it. Also, it's true the proximity hurts as I always see teachers yelling at the kids -- that probably happens everywhere, I just happen to walk past it every day! I had never heard anything bad about Parli before like bullying so it really may just be that I am just exposed to more critical comments about local schools than those a bit further away.

@Highburyme Many thanks for name-changing for this! It's useful to hear the good stuff about St. M I have just looked up the test. My DDs are bright, I think, but I don't know how they'd react to the pressure of the test and it does seem so competitive. But maybe we should aim to move closer to it to have a chance at catchment. Very strict on uniform though. :( I used to be really critical of those who went private (and we can't afford it anyway) but I do see how parents reach the same conclusion as you.

Funny enough, a couple of girls I've heard about got into Camden School for Girls not too far from where we live (small cohort this year?) so that's an option. Though I see issues there, too.

I think I am asking/hoping for too much out of a state secondary.

I’m mad busy at the moment @neversureaboutanything but I’ll pm you my insider info on some of those schools if you can hang on?

YES PLEASE @Camdenish, no rush and thanks!

Ooh @Camdenish could you PM me too? Looking at some of those schools as well

Of course @AngryAngie

Me too please @Camdenish

I'm very local to Parli, and have 1 daughter there who has never experienced bullying, the pastoral care is great, and she's a very happy child, which is pretty much everything I want.

However, I know Highbury well, the two areas are very similar in terms of living and life. If you need to move, and you can get a bigger place there, and it removed the stresses of where your daughter will go for the next 5-7 years, then great, go for it. I'd always say move pre-secondary school.

I can't comment on the secondary schools open to you now, as I do know them, but now well enough in recent times to comment. But I think Parli had the best GCSE grades in Camden last year, wonderful new buildings, and lots and lots of green space. So many positives.

• and you can get a bigger place near Parli

I meant. Didn't realise you can't edit messages - sorry!

My DD started Y7 at Highbury Fields then was offered a place at Parli which we accepted. It was a dilemma as she was settling at HF but Parli was our 1st choice. We certainly didn't dislike HF at all.
Both schools have similar results so I wouldn't move on that alone. Parli has more space and I would say better facilities. DD found HF was stricter but from what she said, it's nowhere near as ridiculously strict as some other schools.
Both schools are diverse but Parli is a lot more middle class than HF and has an active PTA who are always fundraising.
I do think HF reward good work, effort and behaviour more so than Parli. Possibly it was more visible to us as parents.
DD had an incident with another student at Parli (she wasn't the only one) and the school dealt with it really well. The head of year was very much on it.
DD did mention one girl in particular at HF who kept getting in trouble and being in isolation in lessons.
One thing I noticed, in her year at Parli, DD mentioned the kids talk a lot more about being non binary/trans/gay and DD did comment she felt like she couldn't say she isn't with some of them.
I can't help you decide but can only share DD's experiences. She is happy she moved to Parli though and setting quickly-she did know others there and made some new friends easily.

We were determined to get our daughter at Parli hill until we found out they have an asbestos soil contamination issue between the sports pitches! We are extremely concerned about this … there is even a freedom of info request on the subject (whatdotheyknow website) waiting for a reply from the council. They remediate the soil by covering the asbestos debris with soil and some sort of textile but even the school is nervous with the system in place. Asbestos in schools is a massive issue in the U.K… we fell in love with Parli hill facilities and ethos but this discovery is really a punch in the face…. We will be following the matter closely. 🤦🏼‍♀️

@LondonCityMum77 I can't tell if you're actually joking or not. The state of most state school building and you're worried about a pile of asbestos that is being monitored?

Are you serious??!!. Obviously you are clueless.