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Secondary education

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Original poster

SHHS vs Highgate

16 replies

Confused230 · 12/02/2022 21:37

Hi, this isn't an original question, but with 11+ offers at both schools this year we are trying to figure out the best choice for our DD? We are unsettled by the Everyone's Invited mess at Highgate and have heard a number of boy-girl and girl-girl bullying stories but we love the facilities, that it's co-ed and its I think genuine role in 'giving back'. For SHHS it is easy to be seduced by the dynamic head and the stunning building, but have heard stories of sharp-elbowed parents driving on their sharp-elbowed kids and I'm not sure how calm a learning experience it would be. I'm sure both schools are great but are there any parents of year 8, 9, 10 kids out there at these schools who can give inside advice? Thanks so much

OP posts:
pkim123 · 15/02/2022 08:10

@Confused230

Hi, this isn't an original question, but with 11+ offers at both schools this year we are trying to figure out the best choice for our DD? We are unsettled by the Everyone's Invited mess at Highgate and have heard a number of boy-girl and girl-girl bullying stories but we love the facilities, that it's co-ed and its I think genuine role in 'giving back'. For SHHS it is easy to be seduced by the dynamic head and the stunning building, but have heard stories of sharp-elbowed parents driving on their sharp-elbowed kids and I'm not sure how calm a learning experience it would be. I'm sure both schools are great but are there any parents of year 8, 9, 10 kids out there at these schools who can give inside advice? Thanks so much
Congrats on the brilliant offers! Agree Highgate for your DD is a very difficult choice with Everyone's Invited. I would never send DD there. SHHS is brilliant. The music, art and drama are second-to-none. As for the parents, all the pressure at school comes from parents. If you are relaxed, then don't worry about it.
dolphin81 · 16/02/2022 09:58

@Confused230

Hi, this isn't an original question, but with 11+ offers at both schools this year we are trying to figure out the best choice for our DD? We are unsettled by the Everyone's Invited mess at Highgate and have heard a number of boy-girl and girl-girl bullying stories but we love the facilities, that it's co-ed and its I think genuine role in 'giving back'. For SHHS it is easy to be seduced by the dynamic head and the stunning building, but have heard stories of sharp-elbowed parents driving on their sharp-elbowed kids and I'm not sure how calm a learning experience it would be. I'm sure both schools are great but are there any parents of year 8, 9, 10 kids out there at these schools who can give inside advice? Thanks so much
Congrats on the offers! As far as facilities are concerned, other than close proximity and having its own swimming pool, all sports and other co curricular + academic facilities of SHHS are equally good. Boils down to your preference of single sex vs co-ed given the issues highlighted by Everyone's invited. Have also heard about issues related to parent cliques at Highgate.
Mamusik20 · 16/02/2022 10:40

@Confused230

Hi, this isn't an original question, but with 11+ offers at both schools this year we are trying to figure out the best choice for our DD? We are unsettled by the Everyone's Invited mess at Highgate and have heard a number of boy-girl and girl-girl bullying stories but we love the facilities, that it's co-ed and its I think genuine role in 'giving back'. For SHHS it is easy to be seduced by the dynamic head and the stunning building, but have heard stories of sharp-elbowed parents driving on their sharp-elbowed kids and I'm not sure how calm a learning experience it would be. I'm sure both schools are great but are there any parents of year 8, 9, 10 kids out there at these schools who can give inside advice? Thanks so much
My daughter is in primary school but we know a lot of senior school girls Y7 and 8 who are very happy with the school, super bright and confident bunch. All parents are very down to earth, hard working professionals. If I were you I would look at Uni destinations and think whether you want single sex or co-Ed.
BelsizeParkMum123 · 16/02/2022 23:46

Did you make your choice maybe already ? Highgate has better facilities in my opinion than SHHG, lots of ground for the sports and I would personnaly prefer coed to girls only school.

Original poster
Confused230 · 20/02/2022 10:11

Thanks everyone! The co-ed angle at Highgate is going to swing it for us I think. We don't buy the argument for single sex girls education, we think it's all down to the quality of the individual school rather than the gender of the pupils. As for parent cliques, it makes me slightly depressed that things like that exist but each to their own I guess - it isn't a lifetime ambition of mine to network with wealthy / influential parents at any school so I'm not concerned!

OP posts:
BennieAndBert · 21/02/2022 00:21

Highgate parent here and I have never found it cliquey, for what it’s worth.

Original poster
Confused230 · 21/02/2022 22:36

Thanks. We haven’t made the decision yet but strongly leaning towards Co-Ed, although honestly have reservations about both schools!

OP posts:
HelloDulling · 21/02/2022 22:39

We don't buy the argument for single sex girls education, we think it's all down to the quality of the individual school rather than the gender of the pupils.

What do you mean by this? Are you focussing purely on exam results?

Original poster
Confused230 · 02/03/2022 19:39

We finally accepted the place at SHHS over Highgate, really because our DD just warmed to the former much more than the latter. Going single gender doesn’t sit particularly well with us but it feels right for her to have an emotional connection with where she is going. We also felt Highgate was perhaps a little too big, both in terms of the physical space and also the number of year classes (8 in year 7). Clearly it suits some very well but ours felt a little lost there. Hope things worked out well for everyone.

OP posts:
pkim123 · 03/03/2022 07:44

@Confused230

We finally accepted the place at SHHS over Highgate, really because our DD just warmed to the former much more than the latter. Going single gender doesn’t sit particularly well with us but it feels right for her to have an emotional connection with where she is going. We also felt Highgate was perhaps a little too big, both in terms of the physical space and also the number of year classes (8 in year 7). Clearly it suits some very well but ours felt a little lost there. Hope things worked out well for everyone.
Mazel tov! So happy you have concluded your 11+ process. You repeatedly stated you were leaning towards coed, so a bit surprised you swung the other way. SHHS is a brilliant school, best of luck!
Original poster
Confused230 · 28/04/2022 11:54

Yes but just couldn't warm to highgate, despite trying to!

OP posts:
pkim123 · 28/04/2022 16:53

Confused230 · 28/04/2022 11:54

Yes but just couldn't warm to highgate, despite trying to!

SHHS is great, I know three going next year. Great choice.

Original poster
Confused230 · 28/04/2022 17:27

hopefully it's not too rich kid/precious!

OP posts:
pkim123 · 28/04/2022 17:30

Confused230 · 28/04/2022 17:27

hopefully it's not too rich kid/precious!

can one ever be "too rich"? 😀

Localschool · 28/04/2022 17:46

pkim123 · 28/04/2022 17:30

can one ever be "too rich"? 😀

Show quote history

1 in 5 of the new year 7s will be on 100% bursaries so there should be a socioeconomic mix
www.shhs.gdst.net/vicky-binghams-blog/community-culture/

pkim123 · 28/04/2022 17:47

Localschool · 28/04/2022 17:46

1 in 5 of the new year 7s will be on 100% bursaries so there should be a socioeconomic mix
www.shhs.gdst.net/vicky-binghams-blog/community-culture/

Show quote history

absolutely brilliant! well done SHHS!

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