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Secondary education

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Original poster

Girls Schools South West London and Guildford way

29 replies

myfriendflicka9 · 16/06/2020 17:28

Hi - DD1 will be sitting pretests in 2021 and due to the pandemic I missed a number of open days so don’t really feel I have a good feel for many of the schools that DDs headmistress has recommended we look at. I was wondering if some current parents could share their up to date views on the following schools and what type of girl would be a right fit?

Guildford High School
Wimbledon High School
Lady Eleanor Holles
Surbiton High School
St Catherine’s Bramley

They are quite spread out but we live in the middle so journey times are all similar. Any views would be much appreciated....I’m
Particularly interested in extracurricular provision and how inclusive it is and also the learning culture.

Thank-you!!

OP posts:
Original poster
myfriendflicka9 · 17/06/2020 08:25

Yes - I saw the thread on St Cats which was quite worrying as this was a school actually had a chance to visit and I really loved it. I thought perhaps it might be academic enough without the pressure of the “super academics” - and smaller in size to ensure girls get more of an opportunity to be involved in sport/drama/music etc. I had heard that the very large schools like surbiton can sometimes make it impossible to do anything unless you are doing it at an elite level..... Part of the reason we wanted to go private was for the extracurricular opportunities.

OP posts:
HyperHippo · 17/06/2020 08:12

GHS - academic, but as it is out of London it isn't quite the same highly pressured, pushed girls. I think competition to get it is slightly less than the London girls schools - but only very slightly! It has new facilities, in a lovely town and a good mix of girls. Buzzy but friend with DD there says pastoral side has improved massively over last 5 years.
WHS - agree on entrance process, new head this Sept but had a very enthusiastic, strong Head who has made the school quite buzzy.
I'd say GHS and WHS are the most similar on your list.

LEH - Hampton link is a positive but most girls' schools have some similar links. I have heard it being called impersonal but this is just hearsay.
SHS - big, sports are strong, girls find their crowd as it is large
St Cats - very different vibe. Much more country school (boarding option too). Very traditional. Lovely school but a very different option. Great facilities. Bit marmite - there has been a quite negative thread on it recently if you search.

Original poster
myfriendflicka9 · 16/06/2020 20:38

Thanks Singinrain! That’s very helpful! DD1 is very sporty - she plays hockey but has tried lacrosse before so would probably be happy to play that too and continue with her hockey at her club. Not fussed about swimming. Her priority would be to play sport fixtures every week - she’s realistic in that she knows she may not make the A team at senior school but she would still like to have a chance to compete.

OP posts:
Singingrain1223 · 16/06/2020 18:41

Quick feedback is:
GHS - academic, for dd who are high achieving
WHS - slightly different entrance process which can lead to dd being knocked out at first stage
LEH - dependent on school coach system shared with Hampton. a long way to travel for a concert/ parents evening, looks for a confident dd in entrance process
SHS - large and sporty, good transport links so dd from west London/middx and Surrey, entrance process without an interview which helps some dd.
St Cats - far out of SW bubble, you may end up driving up and down A3 for friendship links.

It would help if your dd wants hockey or lacrosse and if swimming is important - no swimming at SHS.