Year 7 North London school advice

[LondonBoundMum]

Hi, we are planning to move back to London after many years this summer. Our child has done her elementary/primary schooling here in the US. She has received offers from Channing / St Margaret's / St Albans High School and Francis Holland. We are grateful to have options as we were late in the process and she did not have much prep ahead of the tests etc. Outside of academics, she's keen on ballet, gymnastics and theatre. Most of our research has been done online and we are keen to get some personal experience from families at any of these schools. Also if you had the choice, what school would you pick and why? Thank you in advance for all your insights.

Where will you be living? And which St Margaret’s - Bushey or Hampstead?

Yes go on where is best for your family to live.

Thanks for your response. We haven't decided yet. We wanted to pick the school and then try and find a place close-ish to that. Would you have any insights on any of the schools mentioned? Thank you

We didn't decide on that yet... and the school decision needs to be made now... whereas for a place to live, closer to the school and we'd do it in the summer when we do move. Any thoughts on any of the schools?

We didn't decide on that yet... and the school decision needs to be made now... whereas for a place to live, closer to the school and we'd do it in the summer when we do move. Any thoughts on any of the schools mentioned? Thank you

Forgot to add it's st margaret's hampstead

It seems like all four schools are of a pretty similar caliber. I know a bit more about FHRP and probably would go with it given this choice. However, maybe worth choosing based on the location, i e area you want to live in. If it’s Highgate, then Channing seems a sensible choice. St Albans is essentially a different town outside London. FHRP is pretty central, so would work equally well with Hampstead and Marylebone. St Margaret’s is supposedly a god school but doesn’t come up in discussions that often.

The housing and locations are more varied than the schools you have places at, you need to prioritise cost of housing and commute over the schools to help you make a decision. Do you want to live in London or St Albans? The uk education system is fairly standard, ie she will probably achieve the same outcome at all 4 schools.

St Margaret’s Hampstead is a lovely school but v small. Would probably suit a quiet kid and there is lots of support.

francis Holland is bigger and crowded, similar in terms of academics

read the good schools guide for reviews

FHRP is an absolutely wonderful school, fabulous location with easy transport links, and both the teaching and pastoral care are outstanding - our daughter chose it over Channing (and some other academic schools) because she felt happier there. Zero regrets. The other schools are good too, though St Alban’s is of course not in London and St Margaret’s only goes up to the end of GCSEs so the girls have to find another school for Sixth Form.

If she's keen on dance, then there are plenty of really good dance schools within striking distance of North London, so don't bother to look for an academic school that does that.

@LondonBoundMum if you lived in North London, Muswell Hill, Crouch End or Highgate, both Channing and Francis Holland RP are doable and your DD could go to here - Classes - nlpac for ballet lessons.

Thanks for sharing! This is really helpful. If you don't mind can you tell us what tipped your family in favour of FHRP over Channing. Also if could give us colour what what the policy around digital use in the classroom and for homework are. Do the girls do most of their work on screens vs the analog way with pen, paper and books? Any insights you can add on pros and cons after having been at the school, thanks ever so much.

thanks for sharing... do you have a DD at any of the schools? anything you could share about that would be most helpful. thank you

thats helpful! thanks for sharing..

understood... thanks for sharing!

By any chance your daughter name could be Mathilda? My daughter became friend with a lovely girl during the Channing and St Albans interview process ;)

My DD was offered occasional places at St Alban’s (STAHS) and Channing. Both are evenly matched and both are more academic and have better pastoral care than FHRP. We chose Channing due to location and slightly better pastoral care. STAHS has an extensive bus network to all parts of Naw London and seems to be really strong on creative arts and theatre. Channing also seems to have a good theatre department. The London girls school that is big on dance is Queens College - they offer dance GCSE and maybe A-level too - my daughter has friends there who love that part of it. St Margaret’s is tiny and not well resourced and has a limited GCSE offering and you will have to move your kid after GCSE, but it is a happy school and the new head is lovely!

My DD attends FHRP. She’s absolutely thriving but I wouldn’t say the pastoral care was especially strong. Nor is the SENCO provision. It would suit a confident, academic child.

The school is quite ‘international’ with families from all over the world as well as the UK and of many different faiths. I see this as a great plus.

We didn’t look at the other schools you mentioned so I can’t comment on those. Hope this helps a bit.