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Original poster

Coombe Girls / Tiffin / Kingston Grammar / Surbiton High / Sutton High / Wimbledon High

180 replies

whycantwegoonasthree · 14/09/2017 12:39

Hey wise women of Mumsnet,

What's your opinions/ insider knowledge of the above schools and am I missing anything?

They strike me as my best options in the area but I've only had the internet to go on, and a few brief chats with other mums from school (some of whom are a bit hyper about all this TBH...)

I'm in the enviable position of needing to move house before applying for schools and being afford to pay fees if I have to. (Only just, and I'd rather not obvs. but I can.) so my options are pretty open in that regard.

I have 2 DDs, currently in years 3 and 5 at a private prep – not our choice, we were unlucky about where we lived when it came to primary applications. I'm not snobby about it, in other words.

Eldest DD is, I think pretty bright, but a bit lacking in self confidence. She's been talking with her peers and is hell-bent on Tiffin - but the idea gives me chills - it sounds like a scarily competitive place and not especially nurturing. This is said on the basis of not much actual info though.

I went to a GDST school (on a scholarship as we were broke) and had a great time, so am positively disposed to them for that reason - but am unsure of how they differ from each other.

I know nothing of Surbiton High other than it looks very much like a GDST school from the website!

Coombe girls has great reviews, and it does look like I'd be nuts not to just buy a house in catchment and escape the whole selective stressy nightmare and the fees. And I would know that both my girls could go there, whatever happened, and I wouldn't have to go through all this again in 2 years.

But I currently live in Raynes Park, and this wold mean a move further West - which on the one hand would be a shame as I like it where I am, but may be a small price to pay for a guaranteed school place! (We'd get more for your money with houses too...)

I'd really appreciate your thoughts and insight if you wouldn't mind!

WCWGOA3

OP posts:
Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 09/10/2017 17:27

Hmm – St John's had better results than Sutton...

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MagicMarkers · 09/10/2017 16:39

I agree that year 7 children can be shy and not very informed (new to the school), but the girl, who showed us around KGS was in Year 10.

RoryItsSnowing · 09/10/2017 16:09

What about Nonsuch or Rosebery?

polyjuice · 09/10/2017 16:07

I'd be careful of placing too much store on the individual children who show you around. We had disappointing experiences pretty much everywhere when Y7s showed us around (actually the boys' schools were much better although I think they were Y8)! Older girls were generally much better.

By the way, 4 x homeworks a night is not unusual for senior school - each is 15-20 mins each although most won't be for the next day (and it includes weekend). Still plenty of time for activities - a lot of those are done at lunchtimes too.

MagicMarkers · 09/10/2017 15:14

I've been going to these open evenings/days as well (not Coombe - we live way too far away). This year is the first time I've looked at private schools and the open events are massively different from the state and state grammar ones. The private ones are a business and there is a lot of marketing materials and refreshments.

I was put off KGS a bit by the dim girl, who showed us around. It wasn't shyness: she just seemed clueless. There is also very little outside space. I'm not convinced that it's worth the money.

I really liked the headteacher at Wimbledon High and the girls seemed much more clued up. It was our favourite of the private schools we've looked at.

Sutton High was very nice, but very small and not very academic. A lot of girls leave to go elsewhere for sixth form. I get the impression that it's a good choice for someone with a shy, anxious or unconfident or dyslexic child.

I know a couple of girls who are very happy at Tiffin Girls, but it was my least favourite of the 3 girls' grammar schools. I really liked Wallington and Nonsuch, but we are out of catchment for both.

Our local comprehensive option is Ricards Lodge in Wimbledon. I've heard from a few parents that there is a lot of homework (around 20 pieces a week) and it can be due the following day. This seems a lot and it must be difficult to organise around extra-curricular activities. I've also heard that the behaviour in the mixed ability classes is poor and not well managed by the teachers. Anyone with experience of Ricards? Have you found any behaviour issues?

FlumePlume · 09/10/2017 14:34

Thanks, polyjuice

OP I think I'll go to Putney, just to compare. And because dd was quite miffed to miss the parent-only open evenings we went to at other schools, and is keen to go and see for herself whenever possible.

polyjuice · 09/10/2017 14:16

It is still a whole day at SPGS, and there is some relaxed sport and some kind of gentle lesson but run by older girls I think - not observed (I think they played games or something - sounds like a hoot after a day of exams Hmm). SO not so different. After the papers there is a shortlist for interview which is a pretty brief affair.
I don't know if SPGS and WHS still clash their entrance exam day but WHS were very accommodating about it and girls could sit the next day (although it was not advertised).

Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 09/10/2017 14:10

Thanks ReturnoftheSmartArse, That's really helpful. Wimbledon and Sutton are definitely top of the list so far for me. I don't honestly know whether to bother with Putney at all.

Sutton definitely did feel like the gentlest, most supportive, and, well, kindest environment, I think. I think that's what DD picked up on too. She can't explain why she loved it so much, but definitely had a very strong gut feeling.

The open day was the best by far - really got a chance to speak to teachers and see and participate with stuff going on.

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Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 09/10/2017 14:04

I think St Johns is worth a look then. Also with half a mind for DD2 - who is looking like a dance/drama/art kind of person rather than academically minded. She' only, so it's hard to say, but she's a different character to her older sister, for sure.

DP was dismissive, but his kids went to Wellington, so...!!

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OlennasWimple · 09/10/2017 13:49

St Johns used to have a "nice but dim" reputation, but I understand that has really turned around in recent years, with the new head and with the admission of girls.

It's still a bit of a trek down to Leatherhead when you have so many great schools much closer by, though

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 09/10/2017 13:43

Apologies for multiple typos

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 09/10/2017 13:41

I hope my experience isn't out-of-date, but just thought I'd add it in case it's any use. I've had DDs at Putney, Wimbledon and Sutton. The one at Putney moved to Wimbledon for a number of reasons which I won't go into, but had a very positive experience for 5 years at WHS. They were good at keeping an essentially rather lazy child on her toes and getting the best out of her, but I do think the girls need not be of the "sensitive" variety! having said that, that particular DD has just graduated and was never there when the current head was, so I can't really comment. I do have a DN there though who is thriving.
DD2 went to Sutton. She got into WHS but is/was a more gentle soul and I wasn't convinced it was the right environment for her. She had a tough time through her teens, with anxiety, depression and OCD, but Sutton could not have been more caring and supportive. She missed weeks or school, on and off, but they went out of their way to help her catch up and organised sessions with their own counselling service. She's in her 2nd year at uni now so, as I say, my experience might be a bit dated, but the school management is still the same, I believe.

HTH

Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 09/10/2017 13:12

They don't need to though, do they. Admissions are done by the council, so it makes no difference to them how many apply... Unless maybe they're trying to put off all the snobby parents like me who might otherwise consider private, in a kind of "if you can afford private then fuck off and do that" way. Which I kind of understand.

Still it was all a bit odd. And a bit shit.

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FlumePlume · 09/10/2017 13:06

whycan't

I wonder your experience at Coombe is the same thing as Tiffin being so awkward about their open evening - they know they're hugely over-subscribed and are actually trying to put people off, rather than encourage them?

FlumePlume · 09/10/2017 13:04

SPGS doesn't have an observed lesson

Ah, that's different from my day, then. I used to help out shepherding the kids doing the entrance exam from test to test, and as well as papers they had an observed science / investigation type lesson, plus a slot for PE / games - I think to let off steam and make it into a whole day's worth of activities. I couldn't tell from the website if SPGS still did that, and assumed they did. It's useful to know they don't, maybe the numbers are just too high now.

Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 09/10/2017 11:54

Oh yes, and boys in the sixth form. WHY!!!????

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Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 09/10/2017 11:50

In other news, I went to the open evening at Coombe. I don't know whether my expectations were too high, or I'm just completely clueless about the differences between state and private, but...

I really wasn't impressed. And I'm a bit gutted about it. I mean, it's like the 12th best non-selective state school in the damn country, so should be up there with as good as it gets, right?

The whole evening was chaotic. Couldn't see very much. Teachers in their subject rooms just standing there not really engaging with girls or parents. Really busy – couldn't really find out much.

Kicked the evening off with 'Coombealot' production - designed, iIthink, to impart the usual info in a creative and humorous way. I applaud the desire to do something creatively different, but my god, it was dire. Mumbled lines. Girls wafting around being dragons. It would have been appropriate for a primary school, but this is the school I'm looking at to get my daughter into university. It felt asinine and inappropriate.

And it made it harder to glean the info I wanted.

The school itself felt drab and scruffy. Girls were poorly turned out, and we were shown around by a monosyllabic girl who would hardly speak to us, who then just fucked off mid-tour because she 'had to go'.

We were left 'queueing' outside for a good 25 minutes before they'd let us in. No 'come into the hall and have a squash and look at some stuff on the walls'. Could have been organised better TBH.

Maybe I'm just a miserable privileged old cow. But I don't know...

Should I go again during a school day and try and get a more accurate idea of what they school is like on a normal day, do you think?

I SO badly wanted it to be good, but maybe my expectations have been raised unrealistically by the private ones I've seen.

Gah.

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polyjuice · 09/10/2017 11:11

SPGS doesn't have an observed lesson and its comprehension paper is very different and far more challenging than the WHS creative paper. WHS appears to be a wonderful school but GDST fees are significantly lower than other schools of this calibre and I suspect it is that (rather than the money being spent on teaching) that affects the standard of facilities you see. You do get great value for money though!

AveEldon · 07/10/2017 20:47

Yes she was very good
I'm currently debating whether or not to look at Putney next week

Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 07/10/2017 20:18

Oh god, she was wonderful. I think I have a bit of a crush. Could be awkward...

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Ashers40 · 07/10/2017 16:49

You have to break down those numbers applying though. Some will be applying for as many as six schools and their first choice may well be a different school. Not to mention those just having a "punt". Numbers do seem to be creeping up year on year though

FlumePlume · 07/10/2017 15:16

Yes, I (and dd) were impressed by the can do attitude and the sense of empowerment at WHS. I rather like that they don't have shiny new buildings for everything, a bit of shabbiness shows they spend the money on things other than facilities (like teaching), and I prefer that.

I also really liked the Head letting the girls answer questions rather than just giving pre-prepared speeches - she was clearly ok with them answering unpredictably.

It did strike me that they are trying to be like SPGS, with their 'creative' paper and small group assessment (which sounds very similar to the SPGS 'comprehension' paper and observed lesson).

Artistic · 07/10/2017 14:46

The open morning at WHS today was very impressive. They have around 60 places for new girls and around 40 come in from junior. Around 600 girls give the exam so nearly 1/10 for each place. Very tough to get into but didn't sound too pushy or hot house a school itself. PHS next!

Original poster
whycantwegoonasthree · 03/10/2017 14:47

I think that's my problem, CountessDracula. I just don't know what to do for the best.

I think my DD1 would benefit from being pushed, but wouldn't benefit from feeling under massive pressure. Her self esteem isn't great, (I don't really know why) and I feel her confidence could be easily knocked in a hothouse. She'd probably fare better being top of the pile somewhere rather than middling in a super-selective.

I really was conflicted by KGS...

Anyway, will calm self. We've only seen two and we have a year to decide. KGS really did get me quite agitated!

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CountessDracula · 03/10/2017 13:42

whoops sorry

If that sort of environment wouldn't suit your child there are plenty of other schools on offer as you know!