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Original poster

Sir William Perkins Query

54 replies

Dhatrader · 26/01/2022 00:08

Hi All,

Our daughter got an offer letter for Sir William Perkins, which we are delighted with. We are moving from abroad, and given we are not familiar with UK 11+ cirriculum, we are very relieved that our eldest has a footing into the school system.

I have read a lot of review on the forums, and by all accounts it is a very down-to-earth school where girls get a solid foundation to succeed in life. Personally, this is a very important aspect for me, as i want my daughter to have strong pastoral care, as it will provide the baseline for her education. If anyone could provide additional perspectives on the following, it would be appreciated:

  1. Can anyone share experiences of how they have felt about the school in the past few years?
  2. It is difficult to ascertain academic performance sitting abroad, as A Levels is the only reference point. How do you think the school balances this aspect and is it becoming more academic with peer schools?
  3. How has the school fared in coping with the continued uncertainity of COVID?
  4. Where do most families live? In Chertsey or in sorrounding areas such as Weybridge, Esher, Cobham or Oxshott?

Responses would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 27/01/2022 17:51

Noticing that you said your DD is your eldest, some of your decision making might be due to what you are doing with your younger DCs.

CraftyGin · 27/01/2022 17:47

My 3 daughters went to SWPS. Last one left in 2020.

We were really happy with it, and more importantly, so were they. It has a very strong sports programme, which my DDs did not excel in, but fortunately, the music/drama was excellent too, as well as DofE.

Academics are strong. A girl who can get 3 A at any school, will get 3 A at SWPS.

My DD missed the last part of school due to COVID, but reports here suggest they have done well.

You can look at the school bus routes to see where girls live. We are in Egham/Staines and many of DDs' friends were in the Woking area, but they also had friends from Windsor, Walton and Twickenham.

When I had my first encounter at a SWPS open day, the headteacher at the time said to choose your school by how the students can get there independently. You might be happy to drive them as freshly scrubbed Y7s, but not so by the time they are in sixth form.

Look at public transport routes (train to Weybridge and into London, with connections to Windsor and Guildford, for example); local buses to Staines, Shepperton, Woking; school buses; parent power.

DukeofEarlGrey · 26/01/2022 00:30

I went there many years ago (around the Millennium) so can give you an outdated reply and hopefully some others with current knowledge will come along soon.

I had a fantastic experience at SWPS. It definitely matched your description of down-to-earth whilst also being supportive and promoting excellence.

I’m not sure I understand your second question but if you’re asking whether it has good academic standing then yes, absolutely - it was seen as one of the best schools in a wide area from that standpoint. Only the Guildford schools (Guildford High and whatever the other one is!) were real competitors on academics.

Girls travelled from quite a wide area to attend: Chertsey, Ottershaw, Weybridge, Woking, Pyrford, Walton, Esher, Chobham, Camberley, Ascot, Staines, etc.

SmokeAndBone · 26/01/2022 00:22

Sir William Perkins School - SWPS - PROS and CONS www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4167341-Sir-William-Perkins-School-SWPS-PROS-and-CONS

There was another post about this school a few days ago... might be useful