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Original poster

G&L, CLSG, SHHS, Highgate? Your honest opinion is needed?

138 replies

NewMum112 · 03/02/2021 10:03

Good Morning , I’m reposting this again as you advised
We live in NW London, we didn’t have a chance to visit any school only through virtual openings, so I need your honest opinions about CLSG, G&L, SHHS, and Highgate please.
With the exploding offers we need to make a first and second choice at least, please if you have any experience with any of these schools or any +/- information please do share, I value the views of parents more than any information I could get from the school itself. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum112 · 04/02/2021 13:30

@user149799568
That’s exactly my point with exploding offers, it feels like we have to accept the offers as they come, it doesn’t sound right, and it really shouldn’t be this way. I’m extremely worried.

OP posts:
Hersetta427 · 04/02/2021 12:04

NW London that should be

Hersetta427 · 04/02/2021 12:04

20 mins driving to city from now London in rush hour. I think you are seriously underestimating the journey time.

Stokey · 04/02/2021 09:39

I wouldn't drive to City, traffic is a nightmare round there in normal times.

Original poster
NewMum112 · 04/02/2021 09:34

@afewtoomanychoices
Thank you very much for your response, we live in NW area so the maximum journey time by public transport is 45 mins to City or G&L, driving is around 20 mins, SHHS and Highgate are closer to us.

OP posts:
Hersetta427 · 03/02/2021 22:21

[quote NewMum112]@JBX2013
I know that will be another issue as well, but it really depends on the offer and the school, if my daughter is going to be happy there then I think I’ll have to make the sacrifice of driving, but if we have an offer from a shorter distance to us I think that will be ideal.[/quote]
It's not just your sacrifice is it though- it's your daughter who will ultimately make the sacrifice if she does a long drive, after school activities and manage homework expectations. I really think you need to do journeys to each in rush hour (and once we are out of lockdown to get a better idea) to see if one is unrealistic.

Utility · 03/02/2021 18:55

Logistics are very important, both from a day-to-day travel perspective and a social perspective. CLSG, G&L and Highgate are about as far apart as you can get in London. Very few girls from year 7 upwards are dependent on their parents to drive them to and from school each day.
As has been mentioned, CLSG has made the national press for its exploding offers... Highgate has also employed this ill-thought out policy in the recent past.
G&L has always honoured offers.

user149799568 · 03/02/2021 18:17

CLSG and Highgate have both caught people out with exploding offers in recent years. Channing is the other school which I recall having actually withdrawn offers. I haven't heard that G&L or SHHS has, but I believe that they do reserve the right to in case they get too many acceptances.

afewtoomanychoices · 03/02/2021 17:36

G&L and Highgate are quite far apart. Where are you located as journey times are important to factor in, also that kids might be local to both of them. SHHS, girls do tend to live fairly local. City , girls do come in from all over.
All are great academically. Highgate has the most superb facilities, and is excellent with sport. Co-ed as well, so if you think that might be good. It's also a very large school and year groups.
SHHS and G&L and city are also fantastic academically. The new head at City is amazing and used to teach my daughters English before she arrived at city.
They are all good options whichever you get!

Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/02/2021 15:02

@JBX2013
I know that will be another issue as well, but it really depends on the offer and the school, if my daughter is going to be happy there then I think I’ll have to make the sacrifice of driving, but if we have an offer from a shorter distance to us I think that will be ideal.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/02/2021 12:31

@dazedandconfused11plus
I heard about City exploding offers but I’m not sure if that’s going to be the case this year with the current circumstances nothing is certain, and Highgate on their website “Highgate does make more offers than there are places available, so as swift a response as possible is advised.”

OP posts:
JBX2013 · 03/02/2021 12:09

Hi @NewMum112!

Is travel a consideration for you: safety, convenience, commuting time? It was for us, so I did 'dry' runs during school run time to check the reality. (We also reluctantly ruled out the North London Collegiate offer as it would mean a 7 am start and us having to do evening runs after activities.)

dazedandconfused11plus · 03/02/2021 10:07

Are you sure all these schools are doing exploding offers? I wasn't aware of that. Would you be able to confirm where you heard this from. Thanks