NW London secondaries

[Jourdain11]

My DD (Y6) and I managed to do a few open evenings back in the autumn, but she's quite terrified of going to secondary. She's had a difficult time over the last few years - recently diagnosed T1 diabetes and also have severe OCD and anxiety issues. School is a challenge and secondary is going to be a bigger one, I suspect!

Her favourite is Marylebone girls, but I think we have slim chances of getting a place. Does anyone know much about, or have children at, St Augustine's NW6 (her second choice), St George's RC in Maida Vale (most likely IMO), Paddington Academy (she didn't like), or QPCS (she also didn't like)?

Just wondering where your daughter ended up and how she’s getting on?? I’m looking at similar schools for my Y5 DD. I’m leaning towards St George’s but it seems SO strict. I’m not sure how that would work for my DD, though their results are quite good.

would you reach Parliament Hill or is that a bit too far?
SEN department there is great

I think I live in the same area as you based on the schools you have listed. I went to visit St George's RC in Maida Vale last week on their open day. To be honest out of all the ones so far I have seen it is my favorite and she will be fine there. The headmaster had tears in his eyes when the girl gave the talk about how much she loved St George's - they came across as very caring.

I’m leaning towards St George’s but it seems SO strict.

I asked one of the students on the tour how strict they are and she said they are not strict at all! She said very very few kids are sent out of class for disruptive behaviour. They are just told off.

I was also at the open day! I had a different impression from the girls giving the tours and the parents on my tour who had older children in the school. I was told there are detentions for things like forgetting a pencil, not fully completing your homework, being one minute late — including Saturday detentions! It all just seemed a bit over the top.

Also one of the Y6s on my tour had an iPhone that she pulled out to check when we sat down for the head’s address and one of our student tour leaders said she’d better put it away or the head would be mad! The head also alluded to this when he said they are unapologetic about their disciplinary policy and that it doesn’t work for everyone.

I can see how this could be a good environment for some, but knowing my DD, I don’t think it would be a good match.

Also, their results are very impressive, but it seems to be at the expense of other things. I don’t think I want my DD having to do Saturday school, etc.

Just my thoughts! Interesting how people can take away very different impressions! I’m not totally discounting it, but I was definitely less keen after the open day.

Have you considered Westminster Academy in that case? It apparently has one of the most nurturing environments of the schools in the area.

The Saturday detentions for the St George kids are for the very disobedient ones! There are several steps before you get to that stage.

Westminster Academy is on my radar but I’d read it’s not good for artsy kids, but perhaps that’s not correct? My DD is very into art, drama, etc. Unfortunately I have conflicts for the open mornings, but perhaps I’ll check it out next year.