senior independent schools for girls

[Jamkancat]

My daughter is currently in Year 4 at Seaton House and we are starting to think about senior schools for her. We think she would fare better in a single sex school which is what she's used to and I'm not concerned about difficulties relating to boys as she has two older brothers! She is a great kid who excels at sport and music and academically is slightly above average, so not suitable for the grammars we have in this Sutton borough. She's confident and outgoing and I'd like to find a school for her within a 15 mile radius that would still be reasonably academic but allow for a rounded education that encourages her love of sport and music. We are not at all religious and many of the girls schools are Catholic so I'm not sure what their position would be regarding admissions. Any suggestions would be very welcome as I'm really clueless about girls senior schools!

[karmi2010]

I have done some research, and I have heard that Emanuel school is really good for a musical and sporty but not top 1% academically child. It is co-ed, but apparently has a very nurturing reputation.
Can I take the chance and ask your opinion about Seaton House - would you recommend it? I have registered my DD but no sure yet as can't find any reviews...
Thanks a lot!

[Mary21]

Woldigham? It's worth visiting to see how catholic it is
Surbiton high
Old Palace, Royal Russel
Dunottar , caterham co ed
Stretham and Clapham High?

[amidawish]

where do you live? I'm not sure where Seaton House is.

[Seeline]

Sutton High
Croydon High

[karmi2010]

I might be wrong, as I am on a very early stages of research, but from what I read I thought that most of the above mentioned schools (certainly Old Palace and the GSGT schools) are quite academic and have a bit of "hot house" reputation?

[Seeline]

karmi OP said her DD was slightly above average academically, and was looking for a reasonable academic school. The Sutton grammars are superselectives, so whereas children would get into other grammars, they may not get into the Sutton ones.
Yes - OP and GDST schools are academically selective, so there is a need to pass an exam, but I think that is true of many other private schools.
I can only report on Croydon (DDs school) - she is bright, and keen, but didn't pass the final exam for WHSG. She is definitely near the top of her class in most subjects, although there are some very clever girls, there does appear to be a reasonable range of bright girls. Whilst girls are encouraged to learn and to do their best, there is a very strong emphasis on the all-round person, and encouragement to do extra-curricular activities. I found the support given to the girls to be good. As yet, Y8, I have not become aware of any 'hothousing'. The girls all seem very happy.

[karmi2010]

Seeline - thank you! this is great to hear, I was slightly worried about what girls school options are there when I read about gsgt schools being hot houses...

[Seeline]

Kami - I think they are all different and there may well be greater pressure at some. I think you really have to visit them, several times (and if possible at least once on an ordinary day rather than an 'open' event) to try and get a real feel for each school.
Also if possible talk to parents - and children - further up the school to get a range of experiences. Of course what one person feels is pushing/pressure/hothousing can be another person's encouragement/challenging to reach full potential/enriching etc, hence the need for visits too.

[Leeds2]

Woldingham is promoted as a Catholic school, but many, many of the girls attending are not Catholic (or of any religion at all). Not being catholic wouldn't stop your DD getting in, if she passes the entrance exam.

[amidawish]

what is "hothousing" anyway?
genuine question.

[Seeline]

Excessive pressure/emphasis on academic grades with no room for other activities/interests, to the detriment of the mental/emotional wellbeing of the pupils is how I see it amidawish

[amidawish]

ah thanks seeline. I've heard it loads of times and thought it must be a focus on academic grades which tbh i think we all DO want the best out of our dds. But not to the detriment/exclusion of everything else.

[tourbillon]

One child's "hothouse" is another's stimulating educational environment IMO.