City vs Habs senior schools

[bstrong0805]

Hi - My son has received a place for City of London and Habs at 7+. My son is very sporty, loves cricket, tennis and all outdoor sports but is also equally interested in math, DT, computing etc.
We have visited the new City Junior School campus and were not hugely impressed, though I know they are having their set up and teething issues. The teachers and staff seemed lovely. We have heard some amazing things though about the senior school and that the boys really thrive. Habs on the ohter hand, all same campus, lot of sports but very academic too and likely to be less nurturing than City. Our decision to go to City will hence be influenced by the senior school but we havent had a chance to see it yet and hence my ask here if anyone has any personal feedback or City Boys School vs Habs.
Thank you!

Interesting. Why would you pick UCS if you don’t mind me asking?

we completely loved city. I don’t think the No-sport thing is valid, since they take the kids out, and do have sports facilities in the school too.

But they don’t join in with the saturday leagues that many of the other private schools engage in (my sons at one now!). In the event, we went to a different school that’s nearer to us. And higher up the leagues. But the league table position wasn’t why, since I preferred the vibe at city. it was the distance that swung it.

And honestly, go for distance/catchment every time. Why? Because my son has a network of more local friends, and no arduous 50 min train commute across town. plus they all meet up in this area. I hadn’t realised how important that would be (my child gets to experience independence but I know he’s near by, and that there are many other parents locally too). Children who commute in (and there are of course many that do) are more isolated, and less involved in an out-of-school social life.

I realise this is for secondary level, but similar picture at 7+!

Plus (sorry it’s early!) my message about city relates to the senior school, which I note you haven’t visited, but we all loved! I found the facilities to be v g given very central location (sports halls, swimming pool, small football zone; plus as above, they coach the boys out).

@Itci thank you ! That’s a really helpful perspective. All the things you say, I’ve heard the same about the senior school. The junior school also gave us all the right vibes, I’m just not a fan of the location- not just space, but I’m not sure that’s the right location for a junior school. Hence the hesitation.

If sporting provision is important, I'd not pick Habs. It has many strengths but is pretty average at sport.

Our prep school head tried to dissuade us from accepting our Habs offer as they felt it was a compromise for sporty kids. Great school in lots of other ways though and friends with kids there like it.

It is a genuinely nurturing place, which still gets great academic results. Not everywhere is. There's a huge range of boys, from the super confident 'alphas' to lots of very shy and sensitive boys - the staff are superb at bringing the best out of every boy. Sport is important but other achievements also celebrated - their chess team just won the local heat of the English primary schools chess competition for example, junior choir just been off to sing for some lord mayor's thing, new clubs this year include interpretive dance. one of the teachers has a severely autistic son who is a classroom assistant there and welcomed and loved by the boys. Teachers stay for decades. Sixth formers come back and work at the junior school in their gap year. Huge wide range of clubs ,Y3 boys not allowed to join football club as it is felt they need to spread their wings more widely. Fantastic support for individual learning needs. Good facilities. I just think it's a really lovely place.

Oh wow, that’s so lovely to hear. Thank you for the feedback. Really keeping my fingers crossed that we get a place tomorrow.

We are so lucky to have places at city, UCS and Highgate (DS has worked so hard so I’m really proud of him). We’re really struggling to pick between them and I wondered if people had views on which type of child suits which school? Highgate is the most difficult to commute to of the three but DS really wants to go there because his best friend is there already. There’s not much difference in commute between city and UCS for us. City is seen as being more academic than UCS but I’m worried it isn’t very sporty and the fields are so far away from us. I’m interested in people’s experiences of UCS - are there lots of really bright boys there and do they stretch children academically? Our DS is very bright but also very sporty and is quite a chilled and happy child. It’s so difficult to know which school will suit him best!!

Yes, UCS absolutely do stretch the bright kids. In the junior they have extension classes for the top in the class in English and maths. It's a very academic place.

If you look at the last pre covid league tables (2019) City got 94.7% A*/A and UCS got 92% (GCSE), I can't find an A level table but that wouldn't be comparing like with like as one is boys only and one co-ed at A-level. That doesn't strike me as a terribly significant difference.

I’d agree that there is very little between them in terms of results. I toured most of them for my son too and my personal impression is that UCS was a super happy place, kids were very bright but it seemed more liberal. City seems quite academic and will probably suit a self motivated and self disciplined boy more. We didn’t consider highgate so I don’t know. These are just my views based on the tours.

@bstrong0805 what did you opt for in the end? We accepted the 7+ City offer.

@AegeanBlue we accepted Habs in the end ! Really so little between those two schools but we felt Habs would suit by DS more.

Thanks @bstrong0805. I’m not familiar with Habs as not in that direction but sounds like a great school too.

You will be happier in City. My colleagues working in the City send their kids there. There is a more single-earner-type household in Habs. The distance makes a huge difference. I went to a girls' school near Habs where the mums are mostly housewives. I could feel the pressure as a kid. Didn't bother me as I have thick skin, but it might affect your child.

Also, City is much more academic and cheaper.

If your child wants to engage in more extracurricular activities, it is much more convenient to do it in the City than stuck in Habs. They can attend the lessons themselves. In Habs, you get more soccer mum. Have to drive everywhere.

Hi,

Would anyone with children at City Junior please elaborate on their experience? We have an offer and are debating but have been struggling to find parents from there to speak to. Thanks,

Nonsense. I'd say at least three-quarters of the Habs families that I know have two working parents. Probably more.

@Astarmul happy to answer any questions you have re: City. DS started there last September and he's enjoying it and has found a lovely group of friends.

Thank you @ItsRainingTacos79 Could you please let me know about:

1. What kind of sports do they have? Where do they play it?
2. Which languages do they learn?
3. Does it have good clubs and wraparound care?
4. teachers - I realise they will all be new but has there been significant turnover?
5. Coaches - we don’t live close to the school so will rely on the coach. Is this something that we can rely on?

apologies for the many questions but really appreciate your input!

My son started in September in year 6. It’s absolutely amazing- fabulous group of kids. I think the location is brilliant as well - so much going on around there, the school has a real buzz.

Thank yoh

That is very good to hear. We have no doubts about the senior school but more than junior school. Was it difficult making friends as your class lives in different parts of London?

@Astarmul I'm sorry I've been meaning to get back to you.

CJS, despite the lack of sports facilities on site, the children have been doing a wide range of sports in PE and afterschool clubs. Boys and girls have been choosing between hockey, rugby, netball, fencing etc for PE and every week they go to the senior Girls' school for swimming. Children go to Coram Fields (just around the corner) for PE. DS also does football club after school which is at the senior Girl's site. They actually use a lot of the facilities of the senior boys' and girls' schools.

In year 3 they start off with learning Spanish and I hear they will switch to French in Year 4.

Re clubs and wrap around care - there is a breakfast club every morning from 7.30am. School ends between at 3.45 for year 3 (staggered dismissal for other year groups up to 3.55pm). There are a number of after school clubs and activities on offer, running from 4pm until 5. Some clubs are held off site so pick up would be from the senior boys/girls' schools. The school also has various sports squads for children who want to compete - swim squad etc but you need to be selected for those.

Re: teachers, many have come from the original girls' school when it was in Barbican. All a lovely mix, the children seem quite positive about them. Very approachable and responsive if you need to get in touch with them.

Re: buses. There are only two bus services as far as I'm aware. Both North London routes though. Finchley and Golders Green I think. Parents have an app that tracks the journey of the bus so you know where it is and roughly how long it will take to reach you.

I think the school is particularly diverse because of its location - this was really important for us. My son has made loads of friends, and quite a few are local, though not all. But as I said above, it does seem like genuinely a nice bunch of kids - we had some bullying/mean kids in his old school and its just a completely different environment.