Secondary School, South West London

[afterthebath]

Any thoughts on Girls secondary schools in South West London? Fulham area in particular...... DD currently in Yr6 & due to move next Sept.

[100lilgreen]

Francis Holland in Sloane Sqaure?, More House?

[tethersend]

Private or state?

[afterthebath]

We loved More House, found Francis Holland a bit more 'results orientated' where we are looking for a more nurturing school. Would love state, but think she will do betting in private where the classes would be smaller..... looking at Putney Park tomorrow & thinking of Ibstock Place...?

[100lilgreen]

If you're looking putney way, conside putney high? quite academic though. Yes, FHS is results orientated and girls are pushed altough one would expect their results to be outstanding considering the pressure but no! More House is lovely, good for a girl who is maybe not 'so' academic but still wants to learn and achieve.

[Needmoresleep]

If you are looking for something slightly less pressured, do look at the Harrodian. There is a thread somewhere which confirms my own observation that it is a love it or hate it school, with many people, including the Good Schools Guide loving it. 

I know a couple of families who are very happy with Queensgate. And despite its odd reputation, St James seems to produce straightforward and hard working girls.

The advantage girls have is that they can move at 16. If a child thrives in a more nuturing environment, there are lots of sixth form places at more academic (and more sciency) schools if they then feel a need to move on. (Westminster, Kings Wimbledon, St Pauls Girls School, Latymer, Malborough etc.) 

[marriedinwhite]

If you live close by it might be worth looking at Lady Margaret which has a good reputation as a small state school.

[H0neysuckle]

Hello afterthebath we're in the same position and in a panicky way have now put my "not very academic at the moment but could be in the future" DD down for loads of schools including Lady Margaret, More House, Surbiton, Putney Park and the Harrodian, although the Harrodian seems very hard to get into at 11? They all seemed very encouraging but it's hard to know if they're just after your money. I loved St James, but my husband hated it...... Would love anyone elses thoughts on exam preparation etc.

[chrchrch]

The references and possibly content are a little dated, a few heads have moved on, but may be useful as a starting point?

[H0neysuckle]

Thank you for that, I've had a look but I think on the whole they are either too North or East for us - all that travel! Latymer & Queensgate pushing it academically I think, but thank you for the thought.