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Original poster

Islington/Camden/Haringey school thoughts?

63 replies

TheCosyRedAnt · 13/10/2026 12:11

We're currently looking at secondary schools for our DD and finding ourselves on the border of various schools furthest distances. Would love to hear about any experiences you have of the following schools

Fortismere
Highgate Wood School
Hornsey School for Girls
Greig City Academy

Parliament Hill
Camden School for Girls

Highbury Fields School
St Mary Magdalene Academy
City of London Academy Highbury Grove

What do you like/dislike about the schools? Are the kids happy and kind? How is the pastoral care? How is the teaching and behaviour management? Are kids challenged/supported academically? How is communication between the school and parents? Is it well led and managed? Is there much teacher movement? Are there good clubs? Does it value music, art, drama, DT, PE etc as much as english, maths, science etc? Please share any feedback, thank you.

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 12:22

HighburyHope · 15/10/2026 10:00

Mary Mags is a very good option in Islington. Make sure you register for the Aptitude Test in time (this year’s deadline was 3 July) as it catches people out every year that registration is in the summer of Y5 rather than early in Y6.

Nice to hear from @OhamIreally of such a good experience at Highbury Fields, which I think is underrated locally.

Thank you, will definitely keep that in mind!

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 12:24

FKAT · 15/10/2026 09:45

In my opinion based on second hand experience of friends: Fortismere is wallpaper. The 80% of kids who go there from £2m Muswell Hill professional households with tutors, music lessons and skiing holidays will succeed exactly in the way you would expect - as they would in any environment. But if your kid in anyway needs support or a school to make a difference, I do not think it is the right school.

Yeah it seems to have a good reputation but I can see how the socio-economic status of many of the families are a big part of that which isn't a great sell when it comes down to it

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 13:05

nlondonparent · 15/10/2026 10:26

I have many friends with teen DDs of varying ages in some of these schools. Some have studied at both due to moving for 6th form. Here's what I've gleaned from many chats over the years...

Parli is a generally a great school that suits lots of different girls. Highly regarded teaching, excellent Ofsted, friends kids seem very happy and stretched academically. Their admin is a bit rubbish, their comms aren't great, but girls do well and seem well supported. The buildings and location are lovely. Pastoral support is good providing you stay on top of things. If I was you and you're set on single sex, I'd prioritise Parli. But as pp also highlighted that LSU over the road is undersubscribed and a consultation is about to start on where those girls might go in future so be mindful of changes to catchment.

People lose their minds over CSG but it was downgraded at its last Ofsted with good reason. It fits a particular type of girl - if you tick the boxes you'll absolutely thrive, if not, be cautious. Less focussed on the individual, more focussed on the results. Academically pushy, the 'Camden Cull' stresses a lot of girls out in Year 11 but it does get them the results they want. Pastoral care is generally judged to be poor in comparison to other schools. and parent comms are pretty rubbish. Music provision is excellent and well regarded and musical girls do very well. The site is small and cramped and not a great location. Proximity to the petrol station and Cantelowes not ideal for many parents.

Fortismere similarly downgraded in their last Ofsted (and apparently fought tooth and nail to have it approved as 'Good' ). Families I know with kids there are generally happy, kids are happy, teaching seems fine. A pp is right that it's likely propped up by the intake and lots of tutoring and the vibe is (a bit like Camden) if you need any extra support you might struggle. The site is pretty tired and tatty (a ceiling collapsed last week and there are ongoing electrical faults they are dealing with) which puts a lot of parents off.

Highgate Wood School is massive in comparison to others which can be a blessing and a curse. I know parents who are very happy with the provision, support is meant to be pretty good, I don't hear any horror stories.

You don't list Acland Burghley. It has an uneven intake of boys vs girls but is a strong option academically, has excellent pastoral care and parents are very happy with provision. Teaching is excellent, girls are well supported and given lots of additional opportunities, trips, guest lectures etc. It was recently ranked one of the happiest schools in London, definitely one to consider.

This is so detailed and helpful, thank you so much @nlondonparent the ceiling collapsing at Fortismere is quite something! I wondered what you meant by CGS fitting a particular kind of girl? Do you mean outgoing or academic or something else?

Acland Burghley seems to have a smaller catchment even on the waiting list so doesn't feel like a viable option really, I'm guessing because of the happiest school ranking making an impression on those more local to it. Good to know though and nice they give additional support and opportunities to girls too.

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nlondonparent · 15/10/2026 13:17

TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 13:05

This is so detailed and helpful, thank you so much @nlondonparent the ceiling collapsing at Fortismere is quite something! I wondered what you meant by CGS fitting a particular kind of girl? Do you mean outgoing or academic or something else?

Acland Burghley seems to have a smaller catchment even on the waiting list so doesn't feel like a viable option really, I'm guessing because of the happiest school ranking making an impression on those more local to it. Good to know though and nice they give additional support and opportunities to girls too.

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The Fortismere ceiling collapse was when kids were offsite apparently - lucky escape!

Anecdotally CSG suits girls who are naturally very academic, confident, competitive and don't need much hand-holding. Many of my friends are very happy with it, but acknowledge that it suits their daughters because of that approach. I think the push for them to get minimum 6s in all their GCSEs to continue onto 6th form (which is higher requirements than for the external candidates) is quite telling.

There's a fair amount of movement on the Burghley waiting list, I wouldn't write it off completely.

ByDenimNewt · 15/10/2026 21:09

OhamIreally · 14/10/2026 04:22

Are you planning to move house? I can’t see how you would be in the catchment for Camden School for Girls and Highbury Fields and Parliament Hill? I would strike Highbury Grove off your list.

There are girls on my street in year 7 at all of these schools, so definitely possible!

Whyherewego · 15/10/2026 21:18

My DC goes to Mary Mags and is very happy there. I think it's a good well eun school and seems decent on pastoral etc. My friend has a DD who went to Highbury fields and got horribly bullied and she ended up pulling her out. But I have another friend who has a DD there who is in y7 and rates it.
CSG is as PP said, quite pushy but we'll rated.
It really depends on what sort of kid your DD is also. And whether you want mixed or single sex. Pros and cons to all of it.

CamandIs · 15/10/2026 21:18

Personally, I can't warm to CSG.
I will DM you but I would recommend Parli. DD did well there. It's not perfect but is a very good school. Highbury Fields is definitely underrated. I do find the site a little cramped though. Then again, so is CSG.
LSU has had a very low intake in recent years. I don't think it will necessarily impact Parli that much. I think St Aloysius admitting girls now hasn't helped.

Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 21:32

nlondonparent · 15/10/2026 13:17

The Fortismere ceiling collapse was when kids were offsite apparently - lucky escape!

Anecdotally CSG suits girls who are naturally very academic, confident, competitive and don't need much hand-holding. Many of my friends are very happy with it, but acknowledge that it suits their daughters because of that approach. I think the push for them to get minimum 6s in all their GCSEs to continue onto 6th form (which is higher requirements than for the external candidates) is quite telling.

There's a fair amount of movement on the Burghley waiting list, I wouldn't write it off completely.

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Interesting about the higher requirements than external candidates, it seems harsh but then again they do get good grades even with the banding in place so I guess it works. Really helpful anecdote about the types of girls it suits there too, thank you.

Will keep Burghley in mind as well, it just seems to not to extend as far even in the September distances.

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 21:43

Whyherewego · 15/10/2026 21:18

My DC goes to Mary Mags and is very happy there. I think it's a good well eun school and seems decent on pastoral etc. My friend has a DD who went to Highbury fields and got horribly bullied and she ended up pulling her out. But I have another friend who has a DD there who is in y7 and rates it.
CSG is as PP said, quite pushy but we'll rated.
It really depends on what sort of kid your DD is also. And whether you want mixed or single sex. Pros and cons to all of it.

That's good to hear about your DC - do they get on ok with the strictness? It does appear to be well run and well funded which is no mean feat nowadays. Sorry to hear about your friend's DD too, that's awful. I'm guessing the school didn't manage it well?

Definitely pros and cons to all of it, too much choice in a way which is a lucky position I guess, but as the best options would all be waiting list it's nerve wracking too thinking about what we might do.

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 21:46

CamandIs · 15/10/2026 21:18

Personally, I can't warm to CSG.
I will DM you but I would recommend Parli. DD did well there. It's not perfect but is a very good school. Highbury Fields is definitely underrated. I do find the site a little cramped though. Then again, so is CSG.
LSU has had a very low intake in recent years. I don't think it will necessarily impact Parli that much. I think St Aloysius admitting girls now hasn't helped.

Thank you, please do! It is a shame some schools are on such small sites, I agree. Parli gets lots of good reviews, glad your DD did well there. I wonder about LSU and Parli as well, it would be a big jump going from LSU to a non-uniform seemingly liberal school and wonder if most will end up at St Aloysuis if it closes..

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SevenYellowHammers · 15/10/2026 22:08

I used to teach in Camden at a mixed secondary. It was boy heavy because of the brilliant girls’ schools. Camden School For Girls and Parliament Hill had amazing reputations. The new Labour MP for Holborn went to the latter and I seem to remember CSFG had impressive alumni. Good luck, sounds exciting!

Whyherewego · 16/10/2026 06:21

TheCosyRedAnt · 15/10/2026 21:43

That's good to hear about your DC - do they get on ok with the strictness? It does appear to be well run and well funded which is no mean feat nowadays. Sorry to hear about your friend's DD too, that's awful. I'm guessing the school didn't manage it well?

Definitely pros and cons to all of it, too much choice in a way which is a lucky position I guess, but as the best options would all be waiting list it's nerve wracking too thinking about what we might do.

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My DC is a bit of stickler for rules so he gets on fine at Mary Mags. Wouldn't suit a more free spirited type.
At Highbury Fields the school was honestly hopeless. It was a complicated situation as her DD has ADHD and is also a quirky personality so she definitely stuck out like a sore thumb but the school didn't seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation. By the time they did, when her DD started refusing to go to school, then it was too late and my friend had decided to swap schools. I would say from what I heard, an all girls school can be a brutal place if you are very different. I have a couple of friends with girls as all girls schools and they do seem supportive for those who are in the middle of the bell curve but not so much for those at the edges.

HelenHywater · 16/10/2026 06:42

I have dds at CSG and a boy at Burghley. My dds' friends went to Parli- everyone I know who sent their girls loves it there.

My dds are academically capable and have done well at CSG. It's less supportive when the girls struggle with SEND or mental health. I think it's better for confident children, but then again my youngest is quirky and likely autistic and she's enjoying it there.

I know people with kids at Mary Mags who really like it and Fortismere too.

I kind of think, having had children go all the way through these schools, you can overthink it - they are all strong schools and if your daughter is capable, with no SEND, she'll do well. Go and visit them all with your daughter and see what you think!

Stowickthevast · 16/10/2026 12:31

DD went somewhere else for secondary but has moved to Mary Mags for 6th form and we're impressed with it so far. She's loving her teachers, the area and the 6th form parts of the school. They seem quite ambition in terms of university destinations. Nearly a quarter of the 6th form last year did early UCAS applications which are for Oxbridge, medicine, vet & dentistry.

But also agree with @HelenHywater above. She has friends at CGS, La Swap (the 6th form part of Parli, LSU etc) and various LAEs who all seem to be doing well.

One other that I wondered whether you'd considered was St Marylebones?

Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 16/10/2026 14:02

SevenYellowHammers · 15/10/2026 22:08

I used to teach in Camden at a mixed secondary. It was boy heavy because of the brilliant girls’ schools. Camden School For Girls and Parliament Hill had amazing reputations. The new Labour MP for Holborn went to the latter and I seem to remember CSFG had impressive alumni. Good luck, sounds exciting!

Thank you! I didn't know she went to Parliament Hill, I had a look and she seems to be a governor there too. The mixed schools do seem to be boy heavy yes, not sure that's the right set up for my DD thinking about it so really useful to know, thanks again

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 16/10/2026 14:05

Whyherewego · 16/10/2026 06:21

My DC is a bit of stickler for rules so he gets on fine at Mary Mags. Wouldn't suit a more free spirited type.
At Highbury Fields the school was honestly hopeless. It was a complicated situation as her DD has ADHD and is also a quirky personality so she definitely stuck out like a sore thumb but the school didn't seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation. By the time they did, when her DD started refusing to go to school, then it was too late and my friend had decided to swap schools. I would say from what I heard, an all girls school can be a brutal place if you are very different. I have a couple of friends with girls as all girls schools and they do seem supportive for those who are in the middle of the bell curve but not so much for those at the edges.

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Thanks for sharing, that's really sad, especially letting it get to the stage of school refusal. I hope she's settled at her new school. It definitely feels like there are pros and cons for single sex and mixed - lots of parents I've spoken to want to send their kids to the opposite type of school they went to which is maybe telling that there is just no perfect option!

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 16/10/2026 14:11

HelenHywater · 16/10/2026 06:42

I have dds at CSG and a boy at Burghley. My dds' friends went to Parli- everyone I know who sent their girls loves it there.

My dds are academically capable and have done well at CSG. It's less supportive when the girls struggle with SEND or mental health. I think it's better for confident children, but then again my youngest is quirky and likely autistic and she's enjoying it there.

I know people with kids at Mary Mags who really like it and Fortismere too.

I kind of think, having had children go all the way through these schools, you can overthink it - they are all strong schools and if your daughter is capable, with no SEND, she'll do well. Go and visit them all with your daughter and see what you think!

Thanks, this is really helpful. I do tend to agree, it's easy to overthink but ultimately they're all good schools with their own pros and cons and if it's not working moving is always an option. Nice to hear your DD is enjoying it as well, even if she doesn't quite fit the stereotype of girls that do well there. Thanks for your thoughts!

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Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 16/10/2026 14:16

Stowickthevast · 16/10/2026 12:31

DD went somewhere else for secondary but has moved to Mary Mags for 6th form and we're impressed with it so far. She's loving her teachers, the area and the 6th form parts of the school. They seem quite ambition in terms of university destinations. Nearly a quarter of the 6th form last year did early UCAS applications which are for Oxbridge, medicine, vet & dentistry.

But also agree with @HelenHywater above. She has friends at CGS, La Swap (the 6th form part of Parli, LSU etc) and various LAEs who all seem to be doing well.

One other that I wondered whether you'd considered was St Marylebones?

Thank you, @HelenHywater did make a good point I agree. Nice to know DD is enjoying it and friends are doing well in various locations too.

St Marylebones we wouldn't be in the catchment and my DD isn't into performing arts so wouldn't do that test either, I know others that have though

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greglet · 16/10/2026 14:26

I would say a definite no to Highgate Wood and Greig.

Original poster
TheCosyRedAnt · 16/10/2026 14:39

greglet · 16/10/2026 14:26

I would say a definite no to Highgate Wood and Greig.

Have heard that before for Greig which makes sense, but any particular reason for Highgate Wood? Can dm if you'd prefer!

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twosmallaxolotls · 16/10/2026 17:34

Has anyone mentioned Hornsey School for Girls? It used to have a great reputation, but it's not the same now.

greglet · 16/10/2026 17:51

@TheCosyRedAntbased on the behaviour of pupils around Crouch End, as well as academic outcomes.

SevenYellowHammers · 16/10/2026 18:55

TheCosyRedAnt · 16/10/2026 14:02

Thank you! I didn't know she went to Parliament Hill, I had a look and she seems to be a governor there too. The mixed schools do seem to be boy heavy yes, not sure that's the right set up for my DD thinking about it so really useful to know, thanks again

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I think mixed schools are very good for boys and single sex schools are best for girls. I speak as mother of a boy; they are wonderful but girls mature quicker and need stimulating environments. I also hate the edict in teaching of boy/girl seating plans as if it’s girls’ job to calm boys down.

twosmallaxolotls · 16/10/2026 19:13

SevenYellowHammers · 16/10/2026 18:55

I think mixed schools are very good for boys and single sex schools are best for girls. I speak as mother of a boy; they are wonderful but girls mature quicker and need stimulating environments. I also hate the edict in teaching of boy/girl seating plans as if it’s girls’ job to calm boys down.

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I don't know of any schools which allow that now, fo obvious reasons.

HygerTyger · 16/10/2026 19:19

My ds was at Greig City and thrived there. Very strong leadership team. Teachers who are nurturing and engaged. Has some unique offerings such as the sailing club! Really recommend.