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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:
nocampinghere · 14/09/2017 18:11

What are your views on girls vs co-ed?
Do your dd's have particular interests: sport (if so, which), music, art, drama?
The extra curricular is the main reason to go private imo if you have bright kids and good state options.
Don't be scared by Tiffin, it's a lot fairer now the exam has changed to maths & english rather than VR & NVR which you had to practice every day for years to stand a chance.

sandybayley · 14/09/2017 17:20

Meant to say 'apply to both Wimbledon and Putney'...

sandybayley · 14/09/2017 17:19

I would also add Putney High to your list given your location. We turned down Tiffin for it (scholarship helped with that decision Wink) and DD is really loving it. There are lots of occasions where girls apply to both and only get an offer from one so it makes sense to try both if you like the GDST approach.

Surbiton has some similarities to GDST but it is BIG! That could be a good thing but I was a bit put off by the sheer number of girls.

Don't forget you also have the option of Nonsuch and Wallington. Grammars like Tiffin but with a bit of a different vibe. I think there is a sweet spot somewhere near Worcester Park which puts you in catchment for Coombe Girls but also in the inner catchment for either Nonsuch or Wallington. Pop over to 11+ forum
In the Surrey section and someone will be able to advise.

Wimbles101 · 14/09/2017 16:36

Sorry for typos - speed typing on phone - hope it makes sense 🙄

Wimbles101 · 14/09/2017 16:35

Hi I don't have daughters but know girls of that age and also have a DS who sat 11+ last year.

It all depends who academic your daughter is.
Wimbledon High is getting more and more academic - I hear that girls get asked to move elsewhere more and more now from about yr 3 if ten school senses debt won't be able to keep up. I know of at least 2 girls who this has happened to. They mainly go to Sutton High to Surbiton High a both less academic GDST schools apparently.

Kingston Grammar is also getting harder and harder to get into - of the boys who joined this year one also passed the KCS exam and one passed Tiffin.

Tiffin Girls is as ever very tough - don't put all your eggs in that basket - there is a very larg catchment and you're competing with parents who have dedicated their whole lives to getting their daughters in. On other side I know of an older girl who is there and doesn't rate the school.

Can't remember if LEH is on your list but again it's fiercely competitive. The girl we know there who is in sixth form there is abojr to go to Cambridge to read Maths.

I can't help with Combe Girls although I hear it's good. These things are all relative though.

I live near RP and most less academic girls go to Sutton or Surbiton High.

Don't discount Graveney - it's also selective but a good state option.

HTH