City for girls vs Highgate secondary school

[tek9]

Daughter has offers from both CLSG and Highgate secondary schools. Know we are extremely fortunate, but really struggling to choose which. Live close to Highgate so more convenient. And I do like idea of her having local friends. Daughter would prefer co-Ed, but is open-ish, and City seems to “champion” or nurture the girls more, have such a great reputation and husband thinks city is “once in lifetime opportunity.”
welcome all views to help decision making!

What does she want
How practicable is the travel
At City obviously it draws from all across London and periphery so it’s not always possible to have local friends
Highgate had a bad reputation following everyone is welcome esp for how the boys are to the girls. Some people think it’s boorish rich boy.
Ok,really it boils down to what will suit her demeanour her personality etc. Co-Ed local or a single sex in town

I'd go for Highgate. Local friends will mean a lot.

Proximity It’s not such a big deal. Local is nice If available but folk manage distances too
City is a good school, I’d not decline on basis of not being local
Alternatively Highgate is also good school, and yes it’s local

what matters is your daughter her personality, her demeanour
There must be a preference for one of them?

I would go for the nearest one. Academically there really isn’t much between these two schools. Both are prestigious. My DD is at a girls selective she can easily get to by foot or train. After and before schools clubs are much easier ( they can start at 7.45am); local friends generally around the same area ( this is really important); easier for us to get to the school for after school events; all social activities in the area……makes life easier. When it comes to exams, better to have a school as close to home as you can really as commuting every day can be exhausting.

We have a similar choice - choosing between NLCS and Highgate. I was all for Highgate at first as it’s a top co-ed school and DD wants co-ed. However, after visiting NLCS and getting a feel of the atmosphere there, I’m really leaning more towards it now. Today’s offer holders event just confirmed me first impression. We haven’t applied to City of London school but if it is anything like NLCS, I can see your struggle. These top girls schools seem to be offering so much, it’s just hard to resist. The only thing that’s lacking are actually boys (in our case, location is less of a factor as we will need to move for either school). But they can probably catch up later in life and find ways to mingle after school/on weekends and in summer camps?

We are letting our DD decide in the end but both DH and I feel that NLCS would be our too choice now.

That's a hard one!

I would read up on the recent Highgate news around the culture for girls in the school. I am unsure that what seemed like a deeply seated culture can change so quickly.

yes, agree with this!

My children aren’t at either of these schools (NCLS) so apologies for going off topic but going from a coed prep school (that used to be a boys school) to a girls school has been really lovely for my girls, especially in terms of the sports offering. Alongside Lacrosse and Netball (taken seriously, not always second fiddle to Rugby and football) , they get to do Gymnastics, Dance (Lyrical and Contemporary) and Cheerleading which they absolutely love. I have heard all too often that Highgate still feels like a boy school in many ways. We also applied and got offers at Highgate so, of course we held it in high regard enough to consider it, but I am very happy that we didn’t.

We have exactly the same choice for our DD and chose Highgate - we also live in a walking distance from Highgate and since both these schools are academically at the same level, we really believe that the lack of commuting and having local friends is important. Our DD liked the vibrant atmosphere at City, too, but the building is not so impressive etc..Highgate is a great school and co-ed can also be an advantage. So hope to see you at Highgate this September!

Hi, just wanted to give an opinion on local Vs non local aspect. My daughter is currently in yr 9 at CLSG. In year 7, the classes sections where distributed based on geographic location. So if you imagine London as a piece of cake, it was divided into roughly 4 slices and girls who lived in each 'slice' were grouped together. This allowed them to get to know other girls who potentially lived in close distance to each other, and equally important, to travel to school together. Given the relative ease of getting from Highgate or nearby stations to Moorgate, I'd bet you'll find a number of others living and travelling from nearby.

From what I've heard, Highgate is a great school, so not trying to sway your decision, but just adding that location in this case shouldn't be too high on your criteria list. For all any specific questions, please do reach out.

Sorry, just to add, by saying location shouldn't be a factor, I meant in terms of having local friends...looking at our class list and addresses, can almost guarantee your daughter will have a group of local girls in the cohort. But other factors like commuting etc., are important so not trying to discount other location based factors.