The Sacred Heart Language College - Harrow

[ximea]

Hi,

My daughter has been offered a place in this school, it wasn't one of our three first choices (1- Nower Hill 2- Pinner High 3-Northwood School)

We live far from that school and as we are not religious people, the fact that is a girls only catholic school does not appeal to me.

I want to ask if someone can share your experience with this school, is it good? or if you think I have grounds to appeal.

Thank you in advance

You appeal for a school, not against the allocation. Your letter should tell you why the application for your preferred schools was unsuccessful.

If you plan on appealing then you accept the place, then use the appeals process at the school you want. You need to demonstrate what the school offers your child that will benefit them.

However please consider whether its worth appealing - girls generally outperform their counterparts from mixed sex schools when in a single sex provision.

Additionally, catholic schools are generally known to be exceptional in terms of levels of education, and school life, even for non faith students. They will have a mix of faiths and non faith in the school.

It was years ago now but DH went to the boys' school equivalent of the convent, the Salvatorian College in Harrow. There were lots of mixed events between the two schools and his first girlfriends went there.
I thought both schools were considered to be good. (DH was head boy at the Salvatorian.)
Many Catholic schools are quite rigid in accepting only Church-going Christians to the school so it's unusual that your DD has been accepted, unless there is a quota of some kind to fill.

It looks like by some quirk Sacred Heart was undersubscribed this year. A state school cannot refuse to admit anyone who applies if they have places remaining, regardless of religion.

i think your other thread is deleted so added here :)

@ximea was just talking to a friend of mine and she is also shocked about this year but apparently they did admit a few Romanian orthodox last year, so a decline in Catholics. She said she had a friend last year who didn't put sacred heart as a choice, because she couldn't get her form signed by the priest as she hadn't been to mass since before Covid, even though her daughter is Catholic, so she really believed she didn't stand a chance of getting the school as previously they never accepted any Catholics that were not practising (ie going to church weekly) as they were a school so oversubscribed by practising Catholics. She believes so many people have been put off by people saying you don't stand a chance of getting in that they are just not putting it as an option now xx

@ximea

I came across your post and I am wondering if you sent your DD to sacred heart.

I am not a catholic either but considering whether I should list this school as a preference.

Would really appreciate your experiences about the school.