Godolphyn&Latymer or City of London Girls:which offer to accept?

I am not defending City but it is very difficult for the Heads to get the number of offers correct. Acceptances really do vary each year, so previous years' numbers don't help that much. As a previous poster said, City is in a very tight building so probably can't take extra pupils, purely from a fire hazard point of view.

Heads also know that if they only give offers to the exact number of pupils and put the rest on the waiting list, then they generally lose the top of the waiting list and end up having to accept from the bottom. The reason is that many people prefer to take an offer from a school that has 'chosen' their DC even if it wasn't originally their 1st choice school.

I agree wholeheartedly with NL2016. This is a rather bizarre way for a school to behave. They very clearly ridiculously over offered. Why? A lack of confidence in acceptance rates? On one hand issuing offer letters with a 6th March deadline date then indirectly bringing forward the date before parents have had a chance to attend their offer holders open day. I was not willing to be bullied into making a rushed decision so just left it. City's practice is ethically questionable and only suits parents for which City is the best offer they have. The intake will now most likely have weaker candidates in it as a result. The stronger girls also have offers from the likes of St. Paul's, NLC etc that they are considering. With time some of these girls may have accepted City but by behaving like this City has lost out on the top half of their offer list. No other school does this.

I can see why you're cross re, withdrawn offer, but thank goodness you had two offers. I don't have inside knowledge of either, but have had DS in a secondary school 60 mins away by car/ bus for 6 years.

It has been tough...not so much the day to day commute - we had expected that and he is busy on the bus, chatting to friends, music (and very occasionally revision on headphones etc). But it is really punishing going back for after school activities, trip meetings etc, parents evening, or when something is forgotten. He either has to be out of the house 7.30am to 10pm at night and tired for school next day ( sometimes carrying spare clothes/shoes for the evening on top of school stuff), or come home in between for an hour before returning....but then spends up to 4 hours a day travelling. Opting for a school closer to home would have given him an extra hour at home on normal days and two hours when events are on. I would say this gets more difficult and more frequent as they get older with busier social life too. We under-estimated the impact it would have and have made different choices for younger DC.

Perhaps the City school has done you a favour in pushing you to the other school....sounds nicer anyway and a more practical commute. If the academic side is a concern, being less tired from travel and up to an extra hour a day to do homework might be a good thing as well.

Good luck to your DD!

G&L it is then.

Given that City make their position re withdrawing offers clear in their offer email and in view of the fact that they send numerous follow up emails reiterating this policy, I don't see how what they have done can be deemed "ridiculous" or "questionable" .

NL2016 maybe that indicates the type of school it is? Seems Pretty regimented and rigid to me!!! It maybe a snapshot of the culture....

My dd and I would vote for G&L due to

1. short distance
2. better environment, open space, cleaner air
3. easier to make local friends
4. more sports opportunities etc.

For me, that's clear choice.

NL - its a bit unfounded but I went to Godolphin School in Wiltshire which had cousin founders and I loved my school and I had a few really nice friends from G&L - So silly reasons I guess. I mainly answered as biased and the commute. I would look into sports facilities though and how inclusive these are at respective schools. I.e. if you are not going to be in the first teams what provisions are there to get your DD to get into and enjoy sport in an inclusive manner.

2 hour commute for tired school children is quite a long way I personally think - considering the demands will be high at both schools. I would be interested in outdoor space/ sport activities/ facilities too. Also if there are occasional tube/transport issues it's a really long commute...

My DD goes to City and we couldn't be more pleased. She is flourishing.

That said, if you prefer the environment at G&L and the commute is shorter, I am sure that your DD could do just as well there.

Bobo I am surprised that you know parents who wouldn't touch City. We haven't had any problems and don't know of any. As far as I can see, it is a friendly, earnest place where very capable teachers know how to handle and nurture clever girls both academically and pastorally. But of course, I won't know everything that goes on there.

Firstly, Congratulations to your DD!
We were in the same position as you last year, with the added complication that we are equidistant to both school and that our DS is very happy and settled at City boys. After much deliberation we decided to go for Godolphin. It just seemed to be a better fit for our DD. Tbh, it came across as more nurturing and happy ( whilst still being very academic). We haven't regretted our decision for a second;our DD couldn't be happier.
On the other hand, no independent school can match City boys/girls in terms of social and ethnic diversity, something we as a family value highly.
Bth schools are fantastic, go with your gut feeling.

G&L without doubt

I would go for G&L in your position due to the commute.

Try to avoid anything more than 40 minutes commute. Especially to City as you are going with the rush hour. Two hours a day travelling is a miserable way to spend teenage years.

I am not sure there is that big an academic difference. Bright girls do well at both. City sixth form is quite small so can get claustrophobic. Many of the year group will live in Islington and beyond, so social life will be outside West London. Plus G&L offer IB (which adds a twist when trying to compare A level results, as it is probably not an option chosen by weaker pupils) which is a nice option to have.

In short, a no brainer, unless you are absolutely in love with City.

Which does dd prefer? If she has a strong preference that may be a good indicator.

The person who mentioned tube problems does have a good point but in general they can be just about managed if you do prefer a further away school.

easy decision!
G&L

Depends what your priorities are. Academically City is a class above Godolphin. Just look at the A level results, the % A* is incredible. If your daughter has been offered a place she is clearly very academic and can cope with the environment. Godolphin, however is an altogether nicer school - very smart, seems nurturing but does have a wider range of abilities.

I know people who live in the Barbican yet won't touch City Girls.

G&L - great school, great commute - absolute no brainer! Well done to your DD.

... And I'd def go with the shorter commute. More friends closer to home and less hassle.

I went to g&l yonks ago for 6th form. Lovely happy school, loved every minute.

Have you made the journey, at the time that would reliably get to the school in time, carrying a backpack, a sports grip and something like a hockey stick or a violin?

Try it. See if you find a preference that way.

Also, how would she get there if there was a bus or tube strike?