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Secondary education

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Tiffin v WHS v KGS v Coombe Girls

59 replies

Mamaoftwogirls · 23/01/2021 18:51

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum.

I am looking for some views on secondary schools. My daughter got through to the second stage of: Tiffin, WHS, KGS and we are waiting to see if she gets offers from those schools. We have also applied for Coombe Girls.

I would really appreciate any views from parents who have daughters in any of those schools. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to go to any open days because of the pandemic.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Singingrain1223 · 23/01/2021 19:45

@Mamaoftwogirls , yes I would focus on Tiffin, Tiffin WL place or Combe. If you don't get a Tiffin place/high WL it's unlikely you would get a straight WHS place anyway.
The green space for KGS is in Thames Ditton!

anotherdayanothertier · 23/01/2021 19:41

I wouldn't be particularly bothered by the lack of space at any of those schools. The benefit of being in a town centre outweighs that in my opinion. They all have great sports facilities a short walk or coach ride away. Would depend on the child a bit though.
I would say that Tiffin more pressured than WHS, PHS or KGS.

anotherdayanothertier · 23/01/2021 19:38

I have a DD at one of those schools. If money is tight I would go for Coombe girls if she doesn't get in Tiffin. Im sure they will stretch their brighter pupils.
Also bear in mind that that the Waiting List for Tiffin will move a lot so even if she doesn't get in straight away its definitely worth finding out where she is on the WL. I know of one girl who got a place a few weeks into September at Tiffin and in fact left one of the schools you mention to go there).

Oreo2019 · 23/01/2021 19:33

@Ohalrightthen, please could you elabolrate on how these schools are different? I see free vs paid, that part is clear. We are in the same boat + PHS, so it would be great to see different views as I have not managed to visit WHS or Tiffin.
I understand from the school tours video, no school (KGS or WHS or PHS) has green space to play and run outside? By green space I mean the grounds that Tiffin Girls has, not sure how much the girls are actually allowed to run there at lunchtime though. They all have a couple or tennis/netball courts on site for lunchtime sport. My daughter doesn'd mind co-ed or all girls. She just wants a happy school with interesting teaching and "do loads of clubs".

Mamaoftwogirls · 23/01/2021 19:30

Thanks so much for the responses. I think the bottom line is that if she gets into Tiffin then she will go there. I think the real dilemma lies in if she doesn't get into Tiffin then it's going to be either Coombe Girls or KGS or WHS (if she gets in). I am scared that she won't be pushed enough at Coombe, that is my main worry re state. On the other hand, private is going to stretch us to the limit financially. If money wasn't an issue, I would just go for private but really and truly what will she get at e.g. KGS and WHS that she won't get at Coombe?

OP posts:
Ohalrightthen · 23/01/2021 19:13

Those are 4 completely different types of school OP, so it really depends on your priorities.

TBH, I'd usually say scrap KGS because there isn't any green space on site, no real outdoors space for recreational sports at lunch etc, which sucks, but it's your only co-ed option, and i think single sex schools for girls, unless your daughter is a very particular type of girl, are a fucking awful idea.

Hersetta427 · 23/01/2021 19:12

What are journey times like to each school?

GreenTiles22 · 23/01/2021 19:09

Well they are all very different schools as I'm sure you already know. Do you want state or private? Selective or non Selective? That'll give you your answer Smile.

For what it's worth, I went to one of those schools and I turned out just fine, as did all my school friends. I have friends who went to all of those schools.

What are you looking for in a school?

Hersetta427 · 23/01/2021 18:55

Have you decided already if you want state or private to narrow it down ?

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