Francis Holland SW1 or Queen's Gate?

[Tiatula98]

My heart says QG and my brain says FH.
What are your thoughts?

[Lizzzar]

If your daughter is looking for a possible sixth form switch to Westminster or St Paul's, then Francis Holland might be a marginally better choice, as it is often seen as slightly more academic. On the other hand the reputation can be quite pressured, which might not suit all, and there used to be virtually no learning support, although apparently that has improved recently. Queen's Gate was traditionally seen as a bit less academic, it is true, but judging by the results on their website, is currently doing pretty well. I'm not sure there is much difference by sixth form, although Queen's Gate is arguably a little less pressured still, so I'd go with your gut feeling and what you and your daughter prefer.

[peppersaunt]

Don't forget to factor in impressive (relatively) new headmistress at FHS SW1.

[Tiatula98]

Let's keep this topic alive. I was looking at results and it seems that the results are better for QG than for FH SW1 (do not confuse with FH NW1, which is more academic)

[Tiatula98]

If you look at the league tables (!), it looks like QG is doing better than FHSW1.
The heads: I prefer the one from QG. She seemed more low-key and focused on education. The one at FHSW1 could be selling education, books or whatever she needed to sell
Premises: better in FHSW1
People: Similar?
Anyone else has other thoughts???

[googlesmom]

I am yet to visit both the schools but why is queens gate less academic than fh sw1 when it has higher ranking in league table?

[AnotherNewt]

It's a matter of reputation, and of expectation.

Neither school is as selective as SPGS/JAGS/NLCS, and so results are somewhat lower and it's somehow assumed that schools are more or less academically pressured depending on outcome. I think there's more to it than that. Your DD will flourish in the school that suits her; hence parents of very clever girls at the very academic schools denying they're hothouses, because their DDs love it and want to do Greek plays in the original or whatever. But many from the outside see pressure because their DD's just aren't like that and therefore would find aspects of the school hard work or just unpalatable.

I think it's often the journey, not the results at the end, that matter most. So it's the feel of the school, the number of hours homework, subjects offered, co-curricular: the whole lot matter. But ilessons and exams (or should that be academic opportunity and performance) might matter most to you. But at the end of the day, you're probably looking at very small differences between very good schools. There really isn't a bad or iffy private school in central London.

[neuroticnicky]

I did go to an open day at Queens Gate but was put off by the site/premises -the place looks like it needs an overhaul. Also Queens Gate tends to get very good Art results so you may find that the most A*s at A level etc come in Art. Unless you DD is good at art you should IMO compare the results of subjects other than Art/History of Art.

[Mumofthreelondon]

I know this is an old thread but I am wondering what you went with? I am facing a similar decision now and I am planning to go with Queen's Gate...

[Ericaequites]

Choose a school with an easy journey, excellent teachers, and compassionate pastoral care. As long as the building don't leak, classrooms aren't overcrowded, school food decent, lockers provided for all, and pine fresh loos, it's all good. I attended a battered private school that gave excellent results. Our gym still had the black out curtains in the 1980s; we were ready for the next war.