Habs Vs Highgate Vs MTS Vs COL Vs UCS

[HappyConfusedMum]

DS has made us incredibly proud with multiple school offers, but we’re struggling to decide.

He's academically strong, especially in math and science ( loves astronomy), with aspirations for Oxbridge/Ivy League. He plays music well and enjoys football, though he needs a little push—we’d love to encourage him more.

Offers from:

• City of London
• Highgate (love the co-ed and facilities)
• UCS

Scholarship offers from (closer to home):

• Merchant Taylors'
• Haberdashers'

We’re also waiting on QE Boys, where he may have a chance on the waiting list.
We don’t mind relocating for the right fit, though rent would be a financial stretch. Would love insights from experienced mums—what would you choose?

MT every time.

These are all busy busy schools so make sure the commute is bearable. They are such long days for kids.

I know you said you’d relocate - we did too, our DC has a 3 min walk to school. It was (& 6 yrs on still is) completely life changing.

If you're looking at US colleges, I'd go with a school that that Ivies are familiar with. Look at their exmissions and work backwards.

Also, have you visited all these schools? MT and Habs have a VERY different vibe from CoL and Highgate, for example.

Honestly - just go with your gut reaction. He will have the same academic outcomes whichever one he goes to. They are all great schools but have a very different vibe.

When we were looking at sixth forms for DD we actually didn’t like Highgate but LOVED UCS. Lots of people rave about Highgate but we couldn’t quite put our finger on it - didn’t feel like “the one”.

It quite easy to overthink these things. Where did you all most feel at home?

Hi @HappyConfusedMum !

All very good private schools, your son will do well at any of them. So I would choose the school with the most convenient and quickest commute. I commuted a lot in my school days and wanted my daughter to avoid all that. It made a big difference to the activities she could do and to her energy levels.And remember this is over seven full academic years, too.

If fees are a concern, then clearly QE Boys.

They are all great schools and I agree with posters saying your son will have similar outcomes at each.

The point about proximity is also right - my DC attend one of these schools, and it makes an enormous difference being able to walk to and from each day. Also, it's great when they are older and have local friends - of course all these schools will have pupils coming from far and wide, but - possibly with the exception of City which is so central - they'll also have a large intake of pupils who live near the school. Being able to meet up with their mates on a weekend, or get back from a party easily becomes very important when you're 16!

Going purely on academics - I think City/Highgate/QE Boys possibly have a slight edge over the others, but not much in it. Bear in mind that QE Boys has a reputation for being much 'pushier' than the other schools and has a big workload - more homework and testing, a large Asian intake who culturally have an extremely strong work ethic etc....

Could anyone who’s son has recently sat these schools and been offered places let me know what atom scores they were getting in the lead up to the exams. My son is generally only getting 110-115 across the board (occasionally getting above this) but just did his GL’s and got 130 in English and maths and 132 in his Cat 4.
ive been advised he is capable and should be sitting the selective schools but the atoms are worrying me.