Farnborough Hill - any current views?

[Confused687]

Option for DD senior school. Any current or recent views? I'm after a good all round school which is academic but also sporty and well rounded, not snobby but not oiky!

I'm sure I will offend someone with that statement alone...

[boredofusername]

Well it has the most ghastly uniform...

But I know people who went there who seem well adjusted and have done well, getting good exam results, going to uni etc. You might also want to take a look at Hawley Place and St Nicholas, but I have no experience of any of them, having a boy in the state sector.

[Confused687]

I can't look at other schools as the exams have been sat and it's decision time! Other than the uniform, which I agree is awful, any opinions on what it's like?

[helenwilson]

I don't have personal experience of it but five or six girls a year go there from my DCs primary school and the parents I know with daughters there all rate it very highly. It is not as selective as some schools but seems to have a good reputation and allows each girl to fulfil their potential. A good friend of mine has a daughter there and a second daughter who will go in September - they are very happy.

[Confused687]

Thanks Helenwilson. I appreciate the feedback. I worry a bit about all girls being cliquey...

[Confused687]

still after current views on this school!

[Chicky2]

My daughter is currently in Year 11 at Farnborough Hill, and planning on staying for 6th form. We have found the school to be brilliant, they have excellent pastoral care and bring out the best in each individual.
There is a great mix of people there, some wealthy, others really not.
Previously she was at St Nicks which I cannot recommend at all.
There are approx 100 in a year so cliques are not too much of an issue, especially if your daughter is starting in Yr 7 when everybody is new.
We're very glad we moved her to FH and she has been very happy there, hence wanting to stay for 6th form

[Mariamerryweather123]

My daughter is starting in year 7 in September. She isn't one for cliques and neither is her friend who is also starting in September. They currently attend a local state junior school.
We have a couple of friends with girls higher up the school and they are very happy with the school. All of their daughters who have reached sixth form age have chosen to stay rather than leave.

[Muskey]

When we went to visit a few years ago I hated the atmosphere and when the HT stood up and said that the school is the best in the area (which it probably is) but said the reason for this is that we can afford to buy the best I knew it wasn't going to be our school of choice. The pastoral care is appalling. I know of three dc who were "engineered" out of the school because their grades were dipping because they were dealing with difficult situations at home. The grades are fantastic but I would ask at what cost. We also looked at St Nicholas School, Hawley Place and Alton Convent. We actually chose Hawley Place (which is a lovely school) but because we had to move out of the area because of Dh job we ended up going elsewhere.

[hellenback]

DD starting in Sept too and can't wait though a bit nervous as she knows no-one. We have heard nothing but positive comments from those that are already there or "old girls". 11+ exam experience very happy. New head impressive as are the staff. OP we are lucky to have a huge choice of options locally - each school suits different needs. FH strikes us as taking a broad mix of girls - which we like. Bottom line each time DD visits the school she comes home happy and excited - more so than our other options. If she's happy then so are we ....although that blazer is something

[Jom1973]

I cannot disagree more with Muskey - all of the comments do not bear any resemblance whatsoever to the experience our DD has at Farnborough Hill - currently year 9. The headteacher actually makes a point of not focusing on league tables. There's no need - the school is a happy, friendly environment and gets the best out of the girls, who in our experience are all confident (not over!), settled, well rounded, happy and hard working girls. The pastoral care is exemplary and teachers all very accessible if required. Our DD knew no one when she started, but it is 100% the best decision we have ever made for her.

[EversleyDad]

Does anyone have an updated view of FH since the new head has started? is it better, worse or no different and why?

Is it as selective as they make out to be? One of my friend's daughters has just passed the entrance exam and is far from bright (her mum's words!) and we wondered if it is the right school for our DD.

Our DD is clever (that's my wife's genes!), so will she be held back?

All the posts I have read relate to Mrs Buckle. How is Mrs Neil doing and what is her effect on the school?

Please tell all as we have absolutely nothing to go on and this is an important decision to make