Why on earth would anyone reject SPGS??

Now DD said she prefers co-ed

It happens quite frequently actually. On the boys side for instance, thousands have turned down the likes of Eton, Winchester,Harrow,Westminster, St Paul's et al.

TBH, we were quite sad when rejected by SPGS. But luckily DD got offers from GL & LU. I think we were probably not that sad if we got the offers before the rejection. Actually I'm quite happy that we don't have to choose between SPGS & GL as we don't have very strong feels for either. I think DD would achieve her academic best in either of these schools.

They might decide they want Co-Ed, they might decide the commute is too much, they might have been put off during the application process, they might decide they want a school with uniform, they might just prefer another school, they might decide the fees are too much?
I always hear ‘noone ever turns down SPGS’. I know girls who’ve chosen LU, Tiffin, LEH, PHS and WHS as well as G&L over SPGS. It’s a great school, but there are lots of other great schools!

There is academic research that it is better to be a big fish in a small pond, than a small fish in a big pond.

For Oxbridge entrance, I would expect the same individual to have a better chance being one of the top of the year at G&L, versus middle of the year at SPGS. Oxford benchmark candidates on how they compare to their peers at the same school. It would be hard to shine at SPGS.

While SPGS is an academic powerhouse there really isn’t any difference in academic outcomes for a bright child going to one vs the other. It’s just more prestigious.

So if you put that to one side, the schools have very different reputations (fairly or unfairly) regarding pastoral care, the parenting culture, mental health, and general feel.

While someone might be okay with sending a child to SPGS it won’t necessarily be their first choice.

Personally, based on the very public comments the former head made about the parents at the school when she was still in post, I’d be very nervous about SPGS. I’ve also heard mixed things from some parents with girls who recently graduated though of course there are plenty who are very happy.

I’d pick G&L over SPGS as I also like the IB programme.

I know if people who have turned down Oxbridge places for far 'lesser' unis. Schools are very much about what is best for each individual child and I can think of numerous reasons why other schools may be picked.
Cost
Location
Commute
Subject choice
Extra curricular
Specific sport preference
Ethos/approach
Gut feeling

This is why people apply for more than one school

I went to University with lots of women from SPGS. It’s very high powered and pressured and the women I met had clearly been affected by this. I’m a teacher in a fairly academic independent school and I think that I could easily imagine turning down SPGS if I felt it wasn’t right for my child.

I bet some people choose Durham over Oxford. Because they want to? Or thats where they feel more comfortable or will be a better fit?