HBS or NLCS

[Elevenplusmum1]

DD got offers from Henrietta Barnet and NLCS. We are confused on which one to choose. DD has no preference, she likes both the schools. DD is academic and interested in art, swimming and debating. Distance wise both are same for us. HBS and NLCS parents, please share your views about the school. Tia.

well HB is free and NLCS is very expensive.

if you can afford NLCS without having to worry about it, it probably will have more 'extras' and trips etc.

but HB is also a fabulous school

If NLCS is a drop in the ocean in terms of money than go there. If it's not, than the obvious choice is HB. Unless you're very rich I think you'd be silly to turn down HB for NLCS

Hello. We took NLCS over a grammar offer. Basically for the extra curricular and STEM offer, two very good schools.

By repute lots of the girls at HBS are tutored all the way through school - would this be an issue for you?

given the acceptance deadline has now passed I am sure the OP has made her decision already.

Not necessarily. Given that the thread was started just a few days ago, OP would have paid the deposit for NLCS but may be trying to decide before becoming liable for autumn term fees (end of March?). No penalty for accepting a grammar school place and then letting it go later on, so there’s a chance they’re still deciding.

Also I found old threads useful when looking up schools for my DC, so even if OP has decided, further opinions could be helpful to someone in the future too 🙂

We accepted NLCS offer and turned down the HBS offer. We were so confused between them but then we picked NLCS for the extra curricular offerings.

Hi I just came across your post
there is a WhatsApp group for nlcs September starters if you are interested!

Hello.

I have just moved to the area and I'm interested in my daughter attending HBS. I'm aware that in the first paper they are tested on English, Verbal & NVR, however does anyone have any advice on the 2nd round English? Any information would be appreciated as their doesn't seem to be much out there.

Many thanks,

Hi,

English 2nd round has standard comprehension (can be prose or poetry) and creative writing (usually picture descriptive writing or story descriptive writing). Hope this helps.

Thank you. I have heard that the comprehension is GSCE level with regards to the text type is this true? Also, are there lots of short questions or just a couple of longer answer opened ended questions, i have heard conflicting options on it and I just want to make sure my daughter is well prepared. It's such a worry as a mum as you just want the best of them.

Comprehension is no where near GCSE level, very similar to papers from other private school 11+

A combination of literary analysis and interpretation.

Last year firsr round comprehension is a chapter from A Stitch In Time by Penelope Lively, that give you a feeling of the level required - Time pressure is real.

Thank you. I believe the first round is set by GL, it was more for the second round which the school set themselves?

doesn't matter even GL the difficulty level is prescribed by school itself.

Agree GL is just the provider and HB dictate the level and yes more than the difficulty it is timing that is an issue, especially in multiple choice when so many answers seem similar. Technique is key here.
Second round can be more challenging and there are lots of telegram groups etc with fear mongering about gcse texts etc. yes they are not easy and yes high level texts have been included, but they are not looking for 100% more so a well explained answer including a few technical details e.g identification of literary devices,