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Original poster

Anyone with DDs who go to Chelmsford or Westcliff grammar schools?

34 replies

ILikeToClean · 22/10/2013 17:12

DD has just passed the 11+ and also the separate Chelmsford exam for Chelmsford High school for girls. We are in catchment for Chelmsford, out of catchment for Westcliff but I think with her scores, whichever school we put first on the CAF she has a pretty good chance of getting in.

We have visited both schools and just cannot decide which one would suit DD better. Chelmsford is in catchment so a bit closer, but I have heard good and bad things about it, namely that it is very pressurised, you are a failure if you get a B, a lot of the girls have "issues" and eating disorders, but also heard a lot of opinions that refute all this and parents saying the girls have lots of fun there.

Haven't heard anything bad about Westcliff, but the impression I get is it is just a bit more relaxed and the pastoral care is much better. It's further away and triple the cost of getting there every year though!

DD is very bright, but not a geek and we still want her to be a normal girl who has a fab education but not at the cost of feeling constantly pressured, although perhaps I am not giving her enough credit by thinking she won't cope or is not good enough, iyswim.

Does anyone have any knowledge, good or bad, of either school? The decision needs to be made soon!

TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
ILikeToClean · 22/10/2013 21:48

Thank you Brigit I really have heard such good things about Westcliff this confirms it all, I do know a girl who is in year 8 there and she loves it! We're in Wickford, think the leaving and home times are the same for both schools, but it would cost £900 a year for her to go to Westcliff, which is a big jump from the £300 to Chelmsford (have to factor in that DD2 might go too!).

Interested to know why you thought your DD would not have coped at Chelmsford? Think this is my concern!

OP posts:
BrigitBigKnickers · 22/10/2013 21:37

their commute! Blush

BrigitBigKnickers · 22/10/2013 21:35

My DD is at WHSG in year ten- I really can't praise it more highly!

Sports are good but they also have a very very good music and drama department. (Their school productions are amazing and loads of choirs and music groups to choose from.)

They really seem to appreciate all the arts subjects too- not all academics academics.

Great curriculum too. They start their GCSE courses in year 9 but don't really take many early (they do English lang in year ten and English lit in year 11.)

In year 9 all the girls so the Duke of Edinburgh as part of their PE curriculum and other small qualifications like prep for working like and functional skills ICT.

My concern was that DD would have to give up her many extra curricula interests when she joined because of home work but I have to say that she seems to get less than many of her peers in local high schools. Even in year ten she is coping with GCSE courses and currently does a staggering 15 hours of performing arts classes!

Pastoral care is very good and there is all sorts of support in place for girls who are struggling. It is quite relaxed which suits DD. I don't think she would have coped with CCHSG

Not sure where you live but we are in Billericay and it takes around 40 mins by a very efficient coach service- it was my biggest concern when she started there but she got used to it. DD also has friends who live in Chelmsford and there commute is similar.

HTH!

MrsBartlet · 22/10/2013 20:05

Enjoy! Dd loves it there so much and we love being part of the school community as well. We are starting to think about universities and dd can't bear the thought of leaving the school!

Original poster
ILikeToClean · 22/10/2013 20:01

That really helps, thank you! DH and I are going for a visit tomorrow afternoon (without DD) and Westcliff on Thursday so will have more idea then, but you've eased my mind so thank you! Grin

OP posts:
MrsBartlet · 22/10/2013 19:54

Please don't think that all the girls are scarily intelligent - they are bright but so is your daughter! I was worried about exactly the same thing before dd started and she has been fine and has more than held her own. Not only that but she has been stimulated by being surrounded by other bright girls.

Dd is in Y12 and I don't think I have ever had a conversation with the head in the whole time dd has been at the school! However, she comes across as very caring towards the girls and she is very proud of them. Dd has a good relationship with her and has to have occasional meetings with her regarding extra-curricular things she is involved with in school.

Original poster
ILikeToClean · 22/10/2013 19:43

Thank you so much for replying, I've read time and time again that most of the "myths" about CCHS come from people who do not have girls there! I think I'm just worried that all the girls will be scarily intelligent and my DD won't be able to keep up, although I'm sure in reality they'll all be the same - she passed both exams really well with just a bit of DIY tutoring, so the fact is it's her innate intelligence that has got her to this point, so I guess I should give her more credit! How do you find the headmistress? She seemed quite intimidating!

OP posts:
MrsBartlet · 22/10/2013 19:12

Just to add - I have very rarely heard anyone who actually has a daughter at CCHS say bad things about it. Most of the bad things seem to come from people with no firsthand experience of the school.

MrsBartlet · 22/10/2013 19:10

Firstly, well done to your DD!

My dd is at CCHS and she absolutely loves it. They do work hard but most of them want to and the pressure comes from themselves rather than the school. As you said, they do have tremendous amounts of fun. I have found it to be a very relaxed atmosphere (ie laid back relationships between the staff and students).

Dd is also not a geek (and nor are her friends) they are indeed normal girls getting a great education. I don't know of anyone who has had an eating disorder (not saying there aren't any with eating disorders but sadly there are probably students with eating disorders in most secondary schools). Last year we had cause to test out the pastoral care for the first time in five years and I was very impressed (as well as very grateful!)

Happy to answer any questions you may have.

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