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Original poster

London girls independent school suggestions

58 replies

Zodlebud · 03/11/2021 14:32

Please can you give me your suggestions for girls London independent schools that might fit the bill for my DD2?

Bit of background. We currently live in the Home Counties and have DD1 weekly boarding within 40 mins drive of north London. We are beyond happy with this school and always envisaged DD2 would go there, but as she gets older I am not sure boarding is right for her and there is no way she will be doing it unless we are all 100% on board. She could be a day girl but she would be spending two hours every day commuting which feels too much.

DD2 is also a lot brighter than DD1 and her current school said we can realistically aim for top academic schools. I have discounted St Albans High, NLCS and Habs girls as I just didn’t like the vibe. We did, however, like the feeling we got from Wycombe Abbey so I don’t think it’s an academic school thing. More of an environment of naturally bright girls who are confident in their abilities without the constant pressure of parents cracking the whip in the background.

I should add that we are VERY anti tutoring. Her current school preps for entrance exams and uses Atom for VR and NVR but outside that I don’t believe a child should have to be tutored endlessly at home on top of this just to get into a school. It’s either the right school for them or it isn’t.

We are in the very lucky position that we could pick and choose between London day schools and move back into London (north) if she got into the right school so we can just apply to one or two and use my eldest daughters school as a backup.

DD2 is very artistic and art, music and dance will be very important to her. A good all rounder but very strong in maths. Likes sport but she is rather take it or leave it to be honest. Definitely not A team material. She is extremely quick witted and sharp - would be good at stand up comedy 😂😂😂. Genuinely interested in what’s going on in the world and has quite an entrepreneurial side. A free thinker who likes to dig down further into things that interest her - shells and rocks are the current favourites.

Current school has suggested St Paul’s Girls. I like the look of it online and had a really positive chat with admissions. Will be going to see it next year. I am slightly put off by it being the “holy grail” of schools though and the obvious amount of tutoring some girls will be put through to get in. Is it impossible to get a place without endless hours of preparation?

Also suggested were City and SHHS but I am a little put off by schools with a prep attached as the dynamic for new Y7 joiners can be a little off. Interested in people’s thoughts on that.

Can’t do the schools too far south as logistically it doesn’t work for DD1 coming home at weekends. We would look to live St John’s Wood / Marylebone areas.

Any other suggestions? We deliberately moved out of London to avoid the 11+ madness so I feel really clueless. Current school has one teacher with experience of London admissions as they just moved to our school from a top London prep but it’s all very new. It’s not territory her current school has much experience with.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Ericaequites · 03/11/2021 18:20

@Zodlebud. Your school choosing approach is great. If DD1’s school offers a strong art program along with good maths and sciences, DD2 might want to follow her there. I’d ask DD2 soon if she wants to join her sister. Weekly boarding with a sister present at the start might feel more comfortable. If possible, could she flexiboard with one night midweek at home, or a visit from you midweek? A two hour commute is far too much for every day.

Glaciferous · 03/11/2021 17:31

SPGS I would worry about "whip cracking parents" in the background

Honestly, it's nothing like the image people seem to have of it. It's a very relaxed and liberal place. I don't think there is particularly a higher percentage of mad parents than any other school. Most seem very relaxed and just let their daughters get on with it.

SPGS only works for a specific type and it is getting more and more narrow in type of girl it suits as time goes on.

I disagree with this. DD's friends are a wide range of types of people. What do you mean?

Her current school do a great job at prepping them for entrance exams and interviews for local schools so I believe this would be enough.

I am sure this will be fine! DD was at a state school so had absolutely no exam experience.

I discounted City because I didn't like the exploding offers thing. It just doesn't seem like the sort of thing a school that actually cares about children would do.

PurpleNewt · 03/11/2021 16:52

I second G&L is lovely. SPGS only works for a specific type and it is getting more and more narrow in type of girl it suits as time goes on.

SHHS is also fab and the junior school thing really doesn't matter. They mix up very quickly.

What about Highgate?

Unfortunately you will get whip cracking parents everywhere but it is more about how you treat your dd and it sounds like you are very sensible.

Original poster
Zodlebud · 03/11/2021 16:02

@Ericaequites She is currently in Y4. I am doing what I did with my eldest and making a shortlist of schools and visiting them myself now so we only need to see five or six as a family in Y5. It worked really well with my eldest. Her main request is brilliant art. She’s the sort of girl who spends hours painting and drawing so trying to find somewhere that gives her what she wants on that side as a priority. There’s a school close to us currently that has amazing art but very few girls take separate sciences or get top grades in maths. I’m sure a bright girl would do very well there but it has a rather princessy vibe - lots of ponies and shopping trips…. Having DD1 board actually gives us a lot of flexibility to find the right school for DD2. The main focus for DD1 was sport. DD1 chose her school out of the ones we shortlisted as a family after visiting and I agree that children should be an active part of the final decision. The happiness of my children comes before league tables. We are open to other less academic schools in London if they fit the bill and it’s “cool” to be clever and get good grades.

@Glaciferous That’s good to hear. Her current school do a great job at prepping them for entrance exams and interviews for local schools so I believe this would be enough.

Will take a look at G&L and SHHS then. Any thoughts on City?

We have discounted LU as she is adamant she wants single sex. She is currently at a coed school and just prefers the idea of being with all girls.

Thanks for all your suggestions so far.

OP posts:
Ericaequites · 03/11/2021 15:42

How old is your daughter? What are her opinions about secondary schools? Children shouldn’t be directing a secondary school search, but they need to buy into your choices.

sanam2019 · 03/11/2021 15:12

SHHS sounds like an excellent fit, I wouldn't worry too much about the junior school as that is smaller and lots will join in y7. SPGS I would worry about "whip cracking parents" in the background, nothing wrong with the school but it obviously attracts many of the hyper ambitious families who are very pro tutoring, no matter what they say. G&L might be a very nice alternative to SPGS and I agree with the LU recommendation, too.

Hongkonggal · 03/11/2021 15:08

Was also going to suggest Latymer Upper if you’d consider Co-Ed?
They do have a prep but only 40 come up into a year group of 170.

Glaciferous · 03/11/2021 14:56

It is definitely possible to get into SPGS without loads of tutoring. DD is in year 10 and having a great time. She was not tutored for anything academic but I did get her some coaching on how to take an exam and to get used to doing so.

If St Paul's appeals, you could also try the other Hammersmith schools - Godolphin and Latymer is also pretty academic. Latymer Upper is co-ed - don't know if this appeals or not.