Greycoat Hospital - what is it really like??

Thanks both, I believe the reference to the private school was more to do with the overall support given to students throughout their time and not limited to the final results. And also in terms of opportunities, I was under the impression that there would be exclusive ones due to their connection with the Westminster foundation and therefore comparable to private opportunities. This is what I’ve grasped taking to some parents, but would love to have a wider view indeed as I might have got it wrong.

I have children in state and private, and in my view they are not the same: trips, communication with parents, opportunities to take part in the creative arts, facilities, class sizes, even quality of food at lunchtime, there really isn't any comparison.

But results may be the same! So it all depends on what you think education is for, and where you think your child will thrive.

I would guess that Mrs Young means 'we get the same results' – which is absolutely true, indeed GCH often do better.

GCH is a very, very strict school and you need to be very confident that your child will cope. This is particularly true if you have a high-achieving striver. If this is you/you're planning on getting a languages place, I'd urge you to try and get feedback from parents IRL with children currently in the lower school to assess whether it's the right school for you.

What an amazing thread on GCH! So many different opinions and first hand experiences from old students and teachers , very grateful for those conflicting views as always better to have a wider picture. @tigerbear your story particularly is an interesting one and wondering what made you change your mind? Or rather what happen so that your daughter and yourself felt better about the school? I appreciate ups and downs are part of life, but choosing GCH versus a local state school will almost have a life changing impact on my daughter so really very careful before taking this decision. My daughter is in Y5 now and I went to the open day in October and Mrs Young did say one thing which made me think : ‘why would anyone pay for private education when they can go to Grey Coat’. Is this really the case?

Thank you, we have a few more years until we need to apply but it sounds like a great school so will certainly go for the language test :)

Glad to hear it is going well.

Do most people get in on church places? I.e. without five years attendance is it impossible to get in (accept for the language places that is?)

THANKS

@tigerbear as this is your old thread - I'm so pleased to see that things worked out for you and your dd all those years later!

Just hopping on here to say that I have two daughters at GCH, in years 8 and 10. Yes, it's strict, but we and they are very happy there. The teachers are young and smart, full of enthusiasm, and both girls settled in quickly, getting used to the journey to school and making friends within a term or two of starting. It took me longer to adjust to secondary school to be honest! The girls take responsibility for their own homework and much of the school comms which I love, both because they are learning life skills and also because it means less for me to worry about. 😀

School starts at 8.30. We aim for 8.15!

@Wimblmum oh lovely…that’s very reassuring to know.

@emilyant what time does school start?

My dd has just started Year 7 and is absolutely loving every moment! She has quite a long commute (45 mins to hour dependent) but, as others have said, just leaves plenty of time for wriggle room/ delays and enjoys going in nice and early, and grabbing a bit of breakfast and chat with her new friends (the doors being open from 7.45 but 'lateness' only happening from 8.30 there really is a nice window of opportunity to play with). Finally reiterate what others have said - reason is applied - if it really is beyond a girl's control on a certain day the school does understand.

I agree on lateness. If the lines go down and there is a known issue or a significant one off then that is understandable but they are pretty strict otherwise and we leave in plenty of time (you can get into the building from 0745). Takes my daughter just under an hour on the tube so she leaves home at 7.15!

@IAmMum85 they are hot on punctuality but I guess most schools are. My dd gets the tube and has been late once when the line was down (and school was fine with that). Otherwise she leaves home 15 mins earlier than she needs to as she doesn’t want a late detention! They do say on induction leave plenty of time to get in

I’m just here to say, it’s been incredibly useful to read all these comments.

the secondary school preparation has given me many sleepness nights!

we are due to go to open evening on the 3rd October for GCH.

I think my worry was the strictness on lateness? If my DD gets in it’s a straight bus but around an hour door to door

My youngest is going and my eldest is about to start year 9 (so we clearly like it)! My eldest has an hour commute and knew no one but she loves it! She is really happy. They are very different children but I am confident my youngest will be fine. The commute is long but as a result my eldest is so confident on public transport - and will take herself off all over the place now! I can really recommend this school!

Thank you @wimblmum
We decided it wasn't for us, it was our 4th choice, no idea how we got in. We successfully appealed and got our first choice, and one the same day our second choice called and offered her a place.
To a family recently moved from Hampshire the London system is very fluid
Good luck to your daughter 😊

Forgot to add - the lovely teachers leaving. Are we talking new teachers or the old guard? Certainly one of the things that creates such a family feel and sense of security at the school is the fact that so many teachers spend great chunks (if not entirety of their) careers there.