North London / Herts Co-Ed Indies

[DawsonsGeek]

Hi lovely MN. We’re applying for independent co-ed secondary schools and are considering Belmont / Mill Hill, St Margaret’s Bushey / Forest School. I’d love to hear recent reports from parents of these schools (and any other suggestions reachable from north London). It’s for our DD who’s doing brilliantly in a wonderful state primary and one of the top in her class but didn’t get through the 11+ for local grammar / state selective. (Fortunately she’s very chilled out and took it in her stride). And we’re in a state secondary catchment black hole (though have still applied).

We’re aware a super academic school prob wouldn’t be right for her and she really enjoys hanging out with boys so I think a co-ed would suit her better. A lovely, well rounded school is the dream. I’ve also got the fear that she may not get through the private exams either and despite being resilient she really needs a win so I’d love to know any success stories of getting in to these schools. She has a tutor and has been practising test papers etc.

Thank you for reading.

My friend's dd went to St Margaret's and they had a huge bullying problem- which had extended years before she was sent there (she wasn't aware of it at the time), but she ended up pulling her dd out. Granted this was a few years ago, I think they pulled her just before it was announced they were going co-ed, so potentially this has improved things!
They moved her to Kingshott in Hitchin (towards the end of year 7), and she loved it. At the time it only offered up to year 8 or 9 I believe, but now extends right up to GCSE.
Headmaster's Welcome | Prep School Hertfordshire | Kingshott School

Aldenham, St Columba's, North Bridge House??????

Thanks so much. Aldenham looks amazing but there is no coach stop near us and so I ruled it out. I looked at North Bridge Canonbury but the trains are so unreliable here I’d be worried about her getting to school. St Columba’s is a great shout, they have a coach from our area so I’ll be checking it out!

I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s DD and I’m glad she found a school where she thrived. It’s not doable for us in terms of transport but I really appreciate the suggestion.

Ah okay, I don't know where you're based but Sherradswood offer a minibus service (I think you have to email to enquire about the route if you're interested), they're based in Welwyn
Sherrardswood School - Home
Mount House do too (Hadley Wood)
Mount House School | Independent School in Hertfordshire

Haileybury?
Also people who apply for Forest also often apply for Bancrofts and Chigwell, if not too far?

St Johns in Enfield? They have a very good bus network

Surprised to hear about a (historic) bullying problem at St Margaret’s! Under current leadership it is a genuinely happy place, which has managed the transition to co-ed very smoothly. My DS has been there since Y5 (now Y8) and has persuaded 2 friends who are unhappy at their current schools to apply to St M for Y9 entry “because it’s such a nice school”. He’s thriving academically too, with excellent teaching and pastoral care. We couldn’t be happier with it.

This. They have the best door-to-door bus service and gorgeous grounds.

They also have an easy entrance exam to pass, so an easy confidence booster for your daughter.

It's also the cheapest secondary school you will find in London (my understanding is because they have some kind of deal with Arsenal football club).

Haileybury?

Thank you everyone! Unfortunately some of the schools mentioned don’t have transport from where we live but we’re going to see St Columba’s thanks to a suggestion here so I’m really grateful to you for putting it on our radar.

I did consider St John’s as it’s close to us but heard it’s very strict and a bit old school which put us off. Also football focused and DD couldn’t give two hoots about football despite me trying to encourage her to try it.

I am so pleased to hear the positive report of St Margs as we loved it when we went to see it and thought the headteacher was amazing. We have registered!

St Edmunds in Ware?

We liked Forest and DD was there from 4-16. She ultimately left for a different sixth form which was the right choice (hers). They seem to be trying to go more academic which they weren't when she was there. This was 7 years ago though, and I think there have been changes.

Thank you, we’ve been to see Forest twice and we loved it. Amazing facilities and seems really well-rounded. We’ve registered but I’m aware that it’s more academic than some others we’ve considered and is popular too so I know we need to have other options on the table. But it’s great to hear you had a good experience.

What about St Chris in Letchworth? Good coed and buses from North London. Not a hothouse at all but currently getting very good results.

There is an entrance exam but it’s not the nightmare of London day school admissions. Can Flexi board the odd night if they like as well.

Good to know, I’m still a bit scarred from the grammar 11+! Fortunately DD is not!

Just hopping on to follow really as we are also applying to St Margaret's and Forest for our DD (we also have a DS so keen on co-ed - and also think both of them would suit a more co-ed environment).

I hope your DD had a good time at the St Margaret's Assessment - DD really liked it but is keen on Forest too. I do get the impression that Forest is trying to up its academic rigour, and worry a bit whether DS would actually get in when the time comes - but it does seem a great all round school with a nice mix of sporty kids, academic kids, quirky kids, musical kids - the whole spectrum. There doesn't seem to be much info on the new head but she comes from more academically selective schools I think so maybe that indicates a direction of travel. Lots to think about.

I am keener on St Margaret's at the moment, but I know DH worries more about the academics - it's so hard to really know where will suit them best! I'm trying not to think too much about the details until we know what options we actually have.

Lovely to hear from you @LightTripper! It sounds like we're in exactly the same boat. I have to say, I've really fallen for St Margs. The headteacher is amazing, the grounds are gorgeous and the pastoral care seems top notch. DD had a great time at the assessment day (the snacks were defo a hit) - and did you get the postcard afterwards as well? Nearly made me cry!

That being said, we were blown away by Forest when we went to see it. It seems like a true all rounder where children can find their passion, and there's no denying that currently it does better academically. For us, it's much easier transport-wise too. A shorter journey and a closer coach stop. But the new head is an unknown and the fees are eye-watering.

If we are in the fortunate position of being able to choose, I have no idea which way we'll go yet, and ultimately I will let DD decide as we love both schools. But, like you say, I also have the fear she may not get in so it might be out of our hands. Fingers crossed for our DDs that they have the luxury of choice. I think they are both fab options.

Yes the postcard was a lovely touch! And gave me some confidence DD had actually spoken in the interview (I was a bit nervous she might clam up as she's not always great with new people!)

Fingers crossed we both get the choice - it would be a nice kind of problem to have, I think!

@LightTripper @DawsonsGeek

I don’t know Forest myself, but do know families who are or have been happy there. I do (as I said above) know St Margaret’s, so please feel free to PM me if that would be helpful at any stage.

Thank you so much! I don't want to count my chickens before offer day but I'll definitely be in touch if we are fortunate to get an offer. Really appreciate it.

My daughter is having a really sad time at Mount House at the moment with bullying not being dealt with 😞 so I definitely wouldn't recommend going there.

This makes me so sad, I remember some of your posts when you moved your DD there and she was enjoying it so much. I hope things improve 😥

.XelaM. I'm sorry to hear your child is being bullied at MH. Why aren't they dealing with it? Is it being denied by the bully? It is one of the schools I'm considering for my children as we live near. Both very shy and vulnerable to bullying.

There didn't seem to be much outdoor space when I visited - the two sports courts? And I read on here you can't get away from people you may not like. I hoped that the lunch clubs were popular and keep the pupils busy and unable to bully!
I would go in there with their anti-bullying policy and request the next steps are taken.