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Secondary education

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Choosing between La Swap and Mill Hill for sixth form

16 replies

Findanotherpassword1 · 08/07/2026 10:38

My 16 year old daughter wants to move from her single sex private school to co-ed for sixth form. We both looked round La Swap and really liked it - but two friends of ours kids dropped out after a couple of weeks, finding it too big.I wonder if at the open day at La Swap you just see the enthusiastic kids and the top teachers.
She's also got a place at Mill Hill - which we also liked but not quite as much - but I've met so many mums whose kids absolutely love it and are thriving at Mill Hill. Anybody out there have any info? Also - how well accepted the new intakes are at Mill Hill, where the kids will have established friendship groups etc?

My daughter is gregarious, so I don't think she will find the switch to a state school difficult.

Any thoughts gratefully received!

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CraftyNavySeal · 08/07/2026 10:42

When I went to Woodhouse it was full of ex Mill Hill kids whose parents decided it wasn’t worth the money

Findanotherpassword1 · 08/07/2026 10:56

Thanks! Sadly woodhouse isn't for us - it's too far away and I do think that my daughter would struggle with no support. Did any go to La Swap?

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Arlington45 · 17/07/2026 16:39

Do you mean Mill Hill, or MHCHS? Which subjects does she plan to take?

DreamCalypso · 18/07/2026 06:28

Bluntly, neither are great. Of the two, I’d save my money and go to La Swap - purely because MH just isn’t worth that amount of money, not by a long shot.

La Swap is okay. Some great teachers but it’s very hit and miss. Camden Girls and St Mary Mags better local options.

Findanotherpassword1 · 20/07/2026 15:15

Thank you. That's so strange about Mill Hill - I keep bumping into mums and they love it and say their kids are super happy, which is really important. My daughter is not super academic and her predicted results weren't good enough for CSG or St Marylbone. Plus we decided against them as I've heard that since both those schools were originally all girls, the established Queen Bees still rule, and of course they're only interested in the new boys, not the new girls. And my daughter being happy is more important than being at a super academic school. That said, with the money I save, I can use it on tutors! Thanks so much for replying - I appreciate it. Is your info personal - or is it based on friends / reputation etc.

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Findanotherpassword1 · 20/07/2026 15:16

Also - anyone know about the SEN support at both. My daughter is dyslexic but has had no support from her previous school.

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Revise15 · 20/07/2026 16:05

@DreamCalypso did you or do you have children at MH? Just keen to hear about personal experiences of the sixth form.

DreamCalypso · 20/07/2026 17:28

I don't have kids at MH, but have several friends who did until recently. Their kids weren't horribly unhappy or anything, but all the parents had negative things to say about the quality of teaching, and the results aren't very good. Most of them pulled their kids out as soon as they could (pretty much all post-GCSE, and a few earlier) and went elsewhere.

Findanotherpassword1 · 21/07/2026 09:07

Thanks for letting me know. It's a minefield! All the best, x

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pompittypom · 22/07/2026 10:00

No personal experience but lots of kids go to La Swap from Waltham Forest, it seems to be the most popular sixth form with the current 16yos that I know.

Findanotherpassword1 · 22/07/2026 13:19

Thanks - and do the parents think it's any good?

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Revise15 · 22/07/2026 15:16

I’d also consider how your child would adapt to a large sixth form over a school environment. Woodhouse for example is great for independent learners but not great for those that need more structure in a school environment.

Findanotherpassword1 · 23/07/2026 12:18

Thank you - she didn't like Woodhouse - and it's a long way for her to travel for school, so it's off our list! Do you have any experience of the two schools?

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Revise15 · 23/07/2026 18:37

I do of Mill Hill but not the 6th form. I have happy children there and am happy with the school. Others often criticise Mill Hill who never seem to have children at the school.

Findanotherpassword1 · 24/07/2026 10:56

Thank you - I've not yet met a mum who hasn't liked the school. And yes it seems kids may want to leave at sixth form because they've been there so long. Do you know if girls arriving at sixth form are welcomed or do they find it difficult fitting in?

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Findanotherpassword1 · 24/07/2026 10:56

Sorry - I just read there you don't have knowledge of sixth form! Forget I asked and thanks for replying.

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