Northwood College (Northwood) or St Margaret's (Bushey)?

[CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow]

My daughter (age 12) has been offered an in-year place at both schools. We decided to move her after bullying at her current school (she was physically assaulted).

I was wondering if anyone knew about the two as we are confused about which one to accept.

I understand Northwood is more academic than St Margaret’s. Have you compared the results?

My DD went to Northwood College (left 2018). She had no issues with bullying.

Thank you.

@London1305f - Northwood is definitely more academic. St Margaret's seems to have the best pastoral care.

@RoobarbAndMustard - that's really good to know.

I’ve never visited Northwood but really liked the atmosphere at St Margaret’s and thought the headteacher was very impressive. It did come across as a very nurturing school.

I’ve changed my username for this but regularly post.

I attended Northwood college - I found it to be a cliquey environment and there were many cases of bullying. Some escalated so much it resulted in suspensions (I was not the bullied party but I witnessed it all play out). There are more examples I could say but will not here on this platform. My sister also attended but in a different year group and ultimately left to go to a grammar where she thrived and found the environment far better.

However I had a handful of exceptional caring teachers who really went over and above and were invested. Facilities were also great.

I did end up doing well academically but I don’t think that is 100% attributed to the school, as my parents were very invested in my academic success so I think the school only played a part.

Now I have a DD I would never send her to NC. I understand bullying takes place in many schools but I could not send her there when I have witnessed these events first hand. While academics are important to me, happiness and mental health takes a priority.

I haven’t any experience of St Margaret’s but pp seems to have a good impression, personally I would opt for that.!

Do they still have the same SLT & anti bullying policies? How long ago did you leave.
My DD left a private school due to bullying 10 years ago, but I wouldn't necessarily warn people off as it's so long ago. I can quite understand why you wouldn't send a daughter there btw.

@Cookerhood it was 15+ years ago and I’m not sure about the change in policies.

I’m just sharing my personal experience and OP can take into account that it’s an old experience and things may have changed since. It’s just not a risk I would take with my own daughter given what I have seen first hand.

I knew someone who was bullied in St Margaret's(more than 5 years ago) so I think it can happen anywhere if unlucky unfortunately.

@CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow
The SLT at Northwood had major changes in 2018 so you can't really judge the school today vs 15 years ago.
You need feedback from current/recently left parents.

Is this to join current Y7/going into Y8 in September, @CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow ? If so we have a DS in that year group at St Margaret’s. They have bonded well as a cohort (both those who came up from the junior school and the Y7 newcomers) and we’re very pleased with his experience at the school. He is academic and sporty, learning well, fully stimulated and socially happy.

The school’s past academic results aren’t necessarily a good guide to future results, as selectivity has increased with the introduction of boys by virtue of the higher numbers of applicants. The very popular head has been in post almost 5 years now and she is also a strong factor in attracting and retaining both good staff and high-calibre pupils. She and the governing body are very ambitious for the school and hugely energetic in pushing for improvement in everything it does. The published results do not yet include those of students selected and educated fully on her watch (the current Y11 are the last all-girls year group in the school).

The reputation for excellent pastoral care is fully deserved and it is notable (and important to us) that SLT prioritise keeping both teaching and non-teaching staff happy and supported, as well as pupils and their families.

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your comments. DD is going to be starting after May half-term as an in-entry into Year 8.

Based on what everyone has said on here, we've asked to go and look at both schools again and ask more questions before we make a final decision.

OP which school did you go for in the end?