Streatham and Clapham High

[eeyoresgrumpierfriend]

I am looking at Streatham & Clapham High Prep section for my 7yr old daughter.

I've been around the school and got a really good feeling and was also impressed by the teachers and the girls themselves.

But, I did hear some rumblings that parents of pupils there were a bit dissatisfied. This was a couple of years ago and the school has got a new head since then so I wondered if any current parents could let me know how they find it?

Also grateful for any views on the senior school as she'd hopefully move on to it.

Thanks

[wyldegreen]

Hi There!

I saw your message and couldn't not respond, as this was actually my secondary school. I was there when the head was not so good nor the teachers....however, the school has really turned themselves around. Despite the fact is wasn't as highly commended when I was there we had better exam results than other local private schools such as JAGS, Alleyns and Dulwich College if you look in league tables. We came out much more orientated to get a job which has helped me greatly in getting a fantastic job at Explore Learning and running my own business where I am today! It is a lovely family friendly school that has made me a really well rounded person today!

Hope that helps

[wyldegreen]

Hi There!

I saw your message and couldn't not respond, as this was actually my secondary school. I was there when the head was not so good nor the teachers....however, the school has really turned themselves around. Despite the fact is wasn't as highly commended when I was there we had better exam results than other local private schools such as JAGS, Alleyns and Dulwich College if you look in league tables. We came out much more orientated to get a job which has helped me greatly in getting a fantastic job at Explore Learning and running my own business where I am today! It is a lovely family friendly school that has made me a really well rounded person today!

Hope that helps

[wyldegreen]

Hi There!

I saw your message and couldn't not respond, as this was actually my secondary school. I was there when the head was not so good nor the teachers....however, the school has really turned themselves around. Despite the fact is wasn't as highly commended when I was there we had better exam results than other local private schools such as JAGS, Alleyns and Dulwich College if you look in league tables. We came out much more orientated to get a job which has helped me greatly in getting a fantastic job at Explore Learning and running my own business where I am today! It is a lovely family friendly school that has made me a really well rounded person today!

Hope that helps

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

When has SCHS ever got better exam results than the Dulwich schools

Last year at JAGS 67% of GCSEs were A*, Alleyn's had 65% and Dulwich 54% while SCHS had 39% so it's still got a way to go ..., however the results reflect how selective the intake is so are pretty much expected!

The newish head is a bit of a marmite figure but he obviously has ambitions for the school. At the moment though in general it's still seen as a backup for more selective schools. My DC knows a lot of children who were at the junior school - very few of the more academic girls stayed on if they'd been offered a place elsewhere. Ten children at my dc's primary were offered scholarships, some quite hefty, but not one was taken up, with families in many cases opting for full fees offers elsewhere.

It's quite a small school and seems to have a caring ethos but imo lacks some of the excitement and oomph of a bigger, more academic school

[Railworker]

Do you have DC's at S&C, Noits? I believe the OP was referring to the Prep section. I think you may be confused with the Senior section. There is a new-ish Head for both sections but I don't think the Prep head is seen as a 'marmite' figure at all! Seems rather popular and approachable.

I think your info may be outdated PP - there are plenty of posts on this and other forums stating S&C as many peoples first preference. It does have a kind and caring ethos and seems to get the best out of the girls who are there. But it is no hothouse - depends what you are looking for. I've always found it a very calm, well-balanced environment with extremely dedicated staff.

[eeyoresgrumpierfriend]

Thank for the replies.

I was also going to ask how recent your experience is Noits? The prep school have told me that all their leavers this year are going on to the senior school and I gather the senior school was oversubscribed enough not to need to go to its waiting list at all this year.

I know the Dulwich schools well (have other DC at various places) but am looking for somewhere a little gentler an 'down to earth' (not quite the right word) this time.

I'm slightly wary of judging just on % exam passes, as Noits says,it is hard to separate how much of the success is down to the school and how much down to super-selection on intake.

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Pretty recent as in the last two years but know several families with children in both sections of the school

My comments were mainly directed towards wildfyre's rather ludicrous assertions ...

It's a 'nice' schools in lots of ways and seems to look after the girls well - many of the junior school parents we know were not at all impressed with the old head so the new one can only be an improvement

The senior school over offers on an industrial scale which could be why they can claim not to have gone to their waiting list - certainly 2 years ago all bar one of the 60+ girls we knew (from various settings) who'd sat the exam were offered a place, however

[eeyoresgrumpierfriend]

Thanks.

It's a good point that the push to drive up academics might change it's inclusive feel.

We did look at Hornsby but it is full so we'd have to wait until yr 4. Finton's leavers destination list worried us a bit. Quite a lot of girls moving across at 11 to the prep school we are taking DD out of.

[LouSor]

Hi, I am looking for recent posts for SCHS & this thread seems most recent. My DD is 5 years old & is starting in September YR1. Can anyone share their thoughts, both positive & negative. I did like the school but still not sure.

[Notmynom]

My daughter is in yr 6 and we love the school. She couldn't be happier and is doing really well academically. Feel free to send me a message if you have any specific questions.

[LouSor]

Thanks for replying. I have just enrolled my daughter. She’ll be starting year 1 in September. I will need to use the wrap around care. Does your daughter go to any clubs? Can you recommend any? Thanks

[MimiDul]

It's not all lovely I've heard. I was going to move my DD there (almost bought a house up Wavertree road) but a conversation with a family who had their daughter there stopped me from doing so. The girl in question left at the end of Year 4 and moved to Sydenham because of problems at S&C. I was surprised by that because they are both GDST schools and when my DD visited she wasn't impressed. So we never pursued it.

[Notmynom]

Can't really comment without knowing the details. What problems did they complain of?

However I do have experience of a few SW London schools (moved my DD to SCPS from another prep and my son is in a third) and actual experience of SCPS as a current parent. It has impressed me more than any of the others.

Happy, motivated girls; experienced and dedicated staff, good range of activities and experiences for pupils and a sensible balance of rigorous academics and focus on wellbeing.

[MimiDul]

Notmynom you or your DD probably know who I'm referring to as she would have been in the same year as your DD. She is also in Year 6. I won't go into details here. I have two DC and like yours they are both in different schools.
I have to agree with your statement about academics and activities. That's partly why I wanted to move DD there. Mainly it's because it would have made school runs really easy for me. But my girl is happy in current school and doesn't want to move. I was nomadic as a child and don't have problems with moving but apparently children are creatures of habit and don't like change.

[Notmynom]

Must have been before our time I think. DD didn't join until yr 3 and the onoy girl to leave her year since then moved to the US.