Harrodian

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We are considering applying to Harrodian for 11+ for our daughter - quite bright (upper set in Maths and English) but anxious and not very confident, sociable, not very sporty (more into the social aspect of sport) but quite musical and also enjoying art. It was suggested by her prep as a potential but we were initially put off by the reputation as 'celebrities playground' - we are a professional couple with a house in a middle-class area of SW London but by no means hyper-wealthy or famous. Any views really appreciated, including (especially?) on the pastoral care and inclusivity.

My knowledge is hugely out of date (I taught there briefly 15ish years ago), but it might give you some ideas to test if it’s still like this.

The standard of teaching was startlingly low (think constant free worksheets printed from the internet), academically the kids weren’t pushed at all and they were known locally as the “clotted cream kids”- rich, white and thick.

BUT - I’ve never seen such happy, kind kids in my life. My heart actually bled for the lovely state school kids I’d known because I just wanted to transport them there. They were just so NICE! Including to each other. And actually they were going to do fine in exams anyway because at GCSE level the vocabulary and confidence that comes from that privileged lifestyle means a huge amount. And they were great at marking and individual feedback.

There were definitely the kids of very famous families there - Brian May for one. And they talked about going skiing and different holidays etc. But it wasn’t too in your face.

I have friends who went to and taught at St Paul’s and they said academically it would incredible but the kids were miserable. A couple of friends really suffered there.

Oh and it’s an absolutely gorgeous place! The libraries!!

The former High Mistress of St Paul’s sent her DD there. Any private school will have big name/rich parents in London. It’s just what it is. If you truly feel out of place, don’t do it. However parents won’t be your best mates so does it matter who they are? Or what they have? Be yourself.

Also, in a school with 900 pupils, not everyone will be very rich. My experience is that you don’t see these parents much anyway. You would find many DC have normal London lifestyles.

It used to be very oversubscribed but now Hammersmith Bridge is closed, more difficult for families from north of the river to drive to, so easier to get into.

Many thanks for the comments so far. We are aware that most schools will have some very rich families and some celebrities and are not faced by it (or bothered)...just a concern that if that is the majority, kids from a less affluent background might feel left out (although I appreciate the school have a role to play, hence my question, as do we as parents).
Any comments on the academics, extra-curricular and general pastoral care also appreciated

My knowledge is second-hand and only relates to experience of one child so please do treat accordingly. I’m afraid her experience was not good. She moved her DD at y5 to Harrodian from state primary, partly to avoid 11+ issues. But found pastoral care really lacking and moved her to another private school for y7. Her very sporty DD enjoyed the sport but was bullied in school and she didn’t feel the school addressed the issues at all

I know someone who pulled her daughter out - she described it as an expensive playgroup. 2 others described it as very white and privileged.

at GCSE level the vocabulary and confidence that comes from that privileged lifestyle mean a huge amount

A good vocabulary is always a benefit but I've yet to see swishy hair or confidence take the place of actual knowledge on a gcse paper. If the kids were doing well at gcse then some actual teaching and learning was probably taking place.

Many thanks for the insights.
@Decidualcast do you know if that was in primary or secondary?
The diversity issue is somewhat playing in my mind, tbh. I know that private schools tend to be less diverse in certain dimensions (socio-economic for starters) but there is clearly a spectrum and we are definitely interested in where a school sits within it.

If you and your dd liked it - then go for it.
It is a good school. The pastoral care is very good. The school does encourage academic achievement and does have excellent performers at GCSE and A-levels. It does not feel very competitive, but it's not a bad thing for quieter children.
Have a look at the choice of subjects if they are what you expect. (For example, they don't have German or Mandarin).
They now have a bus from SW London (after Hammersmith bridge closed).

The school is not that easy to get to, so it mainly serves areas around it. The areas are predominantly white (plenty of europeans). So the school's intake is as diverse as the population around it.

Secondary.

@Decidualcast , many thanks for the prompt and helpful reply.
@Ifyoulikeitdoitagain - many thanks for your insights (may I ask you if you have a child there and, if so, whether in secondary?). Noted on the subjects issues, including on the language front (I think they offer French and Spanish / Italian, which can work for us) and agree on the potential link between area where it draws its students from and the diversity aspect. We are due to visit but this information is really valuable in terms of what to focus on during the visit and interactions with students / staff.
Any other thoughts / comments both welcome and appreciated.

I do have a child there, in early secondary.
I understand the agony of choosing a school, I would say don't overthink it. It was recommended to your dd, so if it's convenient to get to and you both like it - go for it. It will not close any doors for your daughter.
It integrates new children very well and the teachers know children well. Kindness and friendly relations are strongly encouraged by the school.

Yes, some people choose to drive very expensive cars. So what?
I am not into celebrities - I would not recognise them talking to them. Neither children nor parents talk to about them, so they don't exist in my bubble nor affect my child's life in any way.
From memories, when we visited first it felt a bit too nice compared to other schools, but it's only because of its large, green grounds.

@Ifyoulikeitdoitagain Thanks so much for the personal insight, really appreciated. Your comments are indeed very reassuring - my concern was as to whether the celebrity status of some families impacted the dynamics of the school and, from what you are saying, it does not seem to be the case.
Thanks also for your account of your personal experience on the pastoral care front - which are very important to us.

@Ifyoulikeitdoitagain is it quite small as a school? I had a look online and can see that I think that it's 4 form entry with 20 children in each class?

So approx 40 girls and 40 boys in each year group?

Thank you for any thoughts. DS is a quiet and sensitive soul. We are looking for a nurturing kind school.

I'm torn between a small school that can keep an eye on him and a big school with lots of different characters who give him more of a choice to find friends.

@1984Yes They now have 5 forms of 20-24 pupils in Y7, so just over 100 children in a year and they mix them a lot to give them chance to meet find their group of interest.
I'd say the most helpful is to visit your prospective schools, 'feel' them and imagine how your child fits in. There could be more than one right school for your ds. Then you just choose whatever feels best / easier to get to.

I know loads of people who've had or have dc at Harrodian and some teachers who enjoy life there - the school is widely mocked for being less academic than many in the area, but it sends kids to perfectly decent universities. The kids seem nice, their parents are delightful. Celebs are all at London private schools - they don't appear much, they're too busy and don't want to be harassed and certainly don't change the dynamic.

I have a DC at Harrodian. The music department is outstanding. Celebrity parents in our year but no change in dynamic at all (we're coming from a state primary). Academic standard appears high.

I think you’d find an lgbtq agenda at most private secondary schools

Even the best schools have some poor teachers

as for results: the Harrodian is not as selective as other schools- there’s virtually no selection in the lower school.

Can you explain why you feel that way? Do you have a child there? My son is due to start in September so very interested.

I’d also add some of your remarks are potentially libellous and you should ask for them to be deleted

The results are out in the public domain and very respectable (and they are not the be all and end all of everything). As others have said, visit the school and get a feeling for it.
We almost ruled out Harrodian on account of its celeb reputation but visited it and there were many things that we liked - including some of its quirkiness, and the amazing art and music department.
Our DD was offered a place which we eventually rejected but we would have been very happy for her to go there. She is quite academic and with an interest in art and music and we also though that the size of the school (not too small and not too big) was a plus.