Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Sutton High School GDST - Academic Performance

35 replies

TimeSpace · 14/01/2024 00:13

Hi, does anyone know how academic Sutton High School for Girls is? It’s a lovely school with great facilities but I can’t seem to get a handle on how students perform at GCSE - in particular maths and science subjects. Really not sure if money will be best spent there or with a tutor at an alternative school. Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
TimeSpace · 16/01/2024 21:47

That makes a lot more sense. Cheers @Seeline. I couldn’t figure out why subjects would be missing but due to different exam boards.

OP posts:
Lizardlegs · 16/01/2024 11:17

Just a bump because I am watching this thread with interest as my DD has an offer from Sutton too. They did ok on this list but not as high up as some other GDST schools https://www.londonpreprep.com/2023/08/london-gcse-ranking-2023/

I’m keen on Sutton for the arts and music coverage plus pastoral care, but I need to convince them to bring the minibus further north 😅

Top 100 London secondary schools GCSE results 2023

The only ranking of the top 95 London secondary schools based on 2023 GCSE results. Updated daily.

https://www.londonpreprep.com/2023/08/london-gcse-ranking-2023/

Seeline · 16/01/2024 10:25

TimeSpace · 15/01/2024 21:26

@QuiteAJourney Thanks, I saw this too and wondered about subjects. It led me to Sutton Gov website but could only see references to gcse languages, art/design…hence the question about academic performance. I will check out SCHS to ‘compare’.

I suspect the reason the Sutton Gov website only lists select results is that many indies use iGSCEs for maths and sciences (and often other subjects too). However, the Government data only includes standard GCSEs - state schools aren't able to take the iGSCEs, and this often skew the data.
My DD went to Croydon High - another GDST school - I see their results last year were 77% 7-9, so similar.
A good proportion of the girls there are highly academic, although there is a range of abilities. Emphasis on maths and sciences was high, but all subjects valued. It sounds as though SHS could be similar.
Email them and ask for a break down of exam results.

Original poster
TimeSpace · 15/01/2024 21:29

@PettsWoodParadise Cheers. I heard about pension changes and staff retention too. Will do a little more digging!

OP posts:
Original poster
TimeSpace · 15/01/2024 21:26

@QuiteAJourney Thanks, I saw this too and wondered about subjects. It led me to Sutton Gov website but could only see references to gcse languages, art/design…hence the question about academic performance. I will check out SCHS to ‘compare’.

OP posts:
Original poster
TimeSpace · 15/01/2024 21:20

@TizerorFizz Good points. I suppose my main concern was keeping up with the momentum of enjoying academic subjects like maths and sciences - which is at a really good standard but not grammar school level (as there are a few around here, also level and pace of grammar schools very off putting). Nurturing environment is key.

OP posts:
Original poster
TimeSpace · 15/01/2024 21:15

Many thanks for your responses, much appreciated.

OP posts:
PettsWoodParadise · 14/01/2024 21:39

DD was at a different GDST school for 3 years then moved to grammar for secondary. Her state grammar got just over 85% grade 7-9 compared to the link that is supplied above which has 75%. Results aren’t everything though, it depends what your other options are, best fist for your DD etc.

Check teacher retention at GDST schools, some of DD’s friends who stayed on for senior school had issues with teachers leaving when the pension options changed.

QuiteAJourney · 14/01/2024 16:55

@TimeSpace I think that they do have some high-level results in their website. See https://www.suttonhigh.gdst.net/about-us/examination-results/#:~:text=GCSE%20Results%202023,are%20incredibly%20proud%20of%20them.
Usually, it has been considered as rather similar academically as SCHS, within the GDST family.
As @TizerorFizz outlines, there are many reasons why people choose schools. On our visits, we found SHS to be a really caring and student-centric school and the girls were both engaged and proud of the school.

Examination Results - Sutton High

https://www.suttonhigh.gdst.net/about-us/examination-results#:~:text=GCSE%20Results%202023,are%20incredibly%20proud%20of%20them.

TizerorFizz · 14/01/2024 10:49

Is it more that there are plenty of academic schools within commuting distance? So if the school is “second division” it gets results along those lines? We chose a similar school and didn’t really see the results of others as being the defining reason for choosing a school. As long as there were enough bright dc, that was good enough. Ethos, availability of what dd needed to thrive and “fit” mattered most. Not the exam results of other dc.

Swipe left for the next trending thread