St Margaret’s Bushey

[Trixiebell06]

Hi we’re looking at lower sixth form , does anyone have a dd at this school lower sixth ?
Any advice please

Not what you asked for, but we have a DS much lower down the school. What aspect are you looking for advice on?

Hi I have great experience with schools around the Hertfordshire/ NorthWestLondon area.
I am assuming your daughter is in year 10 if your looking to move. I would say there are FAR better independent schools and is st margerets really worth 20k to pay for? Look at your daughters predicted grades and If they are mainly 8s/9s I would push for schools such as NLCS STHNS HABS, as they will help push your daughter to get the best grades. St Magarets don't really have the best reputation as far as it goes for private schools as it is considered the 'reject school'.
Hope this helps you

@queen323 I do hate school bashing posts which make sweeping comments about how much “better” schools are than others based purely on exam results. Bright children can, and do, get top grades at schools like St Margaret’s and can actually do better than at the top flight schools you mention as they aren’t in a pressure cooker environment.

We turned down a place at one of the schools you mention in favour of a school you would probably also see as a “reject” school (not St Margaret’s). People thought we were mad, but I thought it felt like a miserable place and not the right fit for my DD at all. Not sending her there was ABSOLUTELY the right decision and she’s on track to get top grades.

To answer the OPs question, it’s a good all round school with supportive and effective pastoral and SEN provisions. Their results are great considering they aren’t very selective and they really focus on the value add. Having a boarding offering means that the school is very busy with lots going on outside the classroom. It is becoming an increasingly popular option with local parents, particularly since it has gone co-Ed. I have friends with children lower down the school but they all intend to stay on in the sixth form which says a lot.

Ultimately though it’s about finding a place that best fits your daughter. Does she feel happy and at home there? Same applies to any school. If she gets that gut reaction then it’s the right place.

As a current parent I’m going to let the “reject school” thing pass (who even talks like that about schools and children?). The school’s long-standing reputation is for getting good results out of a mixed-ability cohort, which is surely a positive - the quality of the teaching and pastoral care are the key to realising the potential of all of the pupils.

It hasn’t historically been very academically selective (which suited my DD at 11+!) but now that co-education has significantly increased application numbers it has greatly increased its geographical reach and its ability to pick and choose between applicants. Personally I hope that they will not move to selecting too narrowly on academics, but in any event we will be happy to enter our academic and sporty DS for 11+ there when the time comes. The school maintains excellent communications with parents, and the new(ish) senior leadership team have ambitious plans to keep developing the facilities and making best use of their beautiful site, both indoors and outdoors.

Bookworm’s wise words really say it all about the 6th form decision - I wonder whether OP’s DD has made her choice yet?

Thankyou all so much for your replies , we have viewed the school & yes they are extending & have a lot of facilities being improved .
Our child is middle range academically not 8’s and 9’s but that’s fine . We would like her to be happy and enjoy school life .

@queen323 that’s a pretty unhelpful and quite nasty post for the OP who’s seriously considering this school.
And as you can’t seem to spell ‘Margaret’ I’m guessing you aren’t particularly familiar with this school.

@Trixiebell06 did your dd start at St Margaret’s? We’ve made a very last minute application for dd to start year 12 (tomorrow) I like the school from what I’ve seen so far. Dd has had some problems and needs a kind nurturing environment.

@bendmeoverbackwards I have a DS in the Senior School (not 6th form) and wanted to wish your DD well for her first day today. I am sure she will be warmly welcomed. We are very happy with the school, and DS is eager to start the new school year!

@bendmeoverbackwards I hope your DD had a good first day today.

Hi does anyone have any experience with the head of lower school at st margarets? Thanks

@Mamaof2bushey Yes, I know her.

Edited to add: I rate her very highly.