Newstead vs JAGs

Our daughter is at JAGS and loves it.
It’s very ethnically diverse (she is minority ethnic)

I’m considering JAGS for my daughter. She’s only in year 3 currently, but I’m interested to know what level your daughters who passed the entrance exam working at when they were in primary school. And do most get tutored to pass the entrance exam? How does it compare in terms of difficultly with the 11+ exam for grammars?

Here's another one

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/3926503-Newstead-Wood-advice-and-questions

This was a few years ago post and I am not sure if it was for a girl or if it was true. Anyway, I had the same worry last year. But my girl is in year 7, she is good. Both school and classmates are supportive. Jags had similar issues and negative reviews online a few years ago. As parents, schools have many emails and communication. They organise events and education for mental health. Many different field experts' speeches for both parents and students are similar to Jags. Newstead School is strict on attendance and cares what students doing, they have a points system. I had good communication with teachers and every department. They constantly improve either teaching or system which impressed me. However, grammar school is not easy and competitive, you need a self-motivated and hard-working child. By the way, my girl is very musical and artistic. But Newstead has many sports and music talents. I only can tell Jags from application and assessment experiences. I believe both are very good schools. Either is a good choice!

Some connected topic in the past

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/3131342-Newstead-Wood-School-a-warning?page=1

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4175144-JAGS-or-Newsteadwood?reply=106742772

@PettsWoodParadise I went there and said 'still'

I tend to find most people who say that either didn’t have their child pass the test and so say it to reassure themselves the school their DD ended up at is better; or are are basing their information on rumours or very old information. However I would be interested to know where your current basis for saying this comes from?

Newstead still has a rep for bad pastoral care.

Hi, we had the same option last year. I let my girl choose. She picked up Newstead, not Jags. She is very happy with Newstead and many nice girls there. Many homework and tests, but she improved a lot. She loves Newstead so many activities and clubs. A lot of talented girls there. Both schools are far from us. Jags is more complicated to travel there. Jags used to be my dream school for her, we tried 4+ (planned to move to Dulwich before) , but at 11+ we turned down the offer. My girl did not like the day she had a test, they left them on the playground without any information. Her test was super super easy, and it seemed very easy to get in. I tried to speak to their CFO before applying, but he never called me back. although emailed a few times to ask for a chat to understand better finance options (I am a finance person). The reception lady is very nice and helpful.
Anyway, I initially doubted her decision and worried about Newstead facilities. But now I know I made the right decision and trust my girl! I am very happy :) I have another one, I do not think we will apply Jags (far), but I will give her both Grammer and private options. Let her decide on what she saw and experienced.

Newstead is not an easy option, but it's very good. St Olave's is a C16 grammar school with a long history of achievement. I think it depends on where you live and how much you are prepared to spend.

JAGS is a great school but I wouldn’t do it if you have 3 children and couldn’t afford the same for all 3. Moreover, grammar entry for your youngest might be even more competitive due to the VAT on private schools that may come in quite soon.
Having said that, I don’t know a single person who isn’t happy with St Olave’s so if your DS is there I don’t know how you will find Newstead.
The girls we know certainly get a lot of homework at Newstead. They are all doing well. We know at least 15 girls who are still there and a few at JAGS too. Obviously given the money JAGs have to spend on staff and extra curricular and pastoral it is going to be a better school than Newstead. But Newstead from what I hear does push the girls academically and sets lots of tests. However, it seems a lot of girls still switch to St Olave’s for Sixth Form because they get fed up of single sex (although both are mixed in the Sixth Form). There is definitely a bit of creaming off some of the best girls going on from what I hear.

DD spent 7 happy years at Newstead. Very diverse and supportive environment. Lots of clubs, green fields and tennis centre next door. Yes a bit run down but they funnel the money into the teachers. Good range of subjects. They have a new library and new music block and more planned. She had some amazing sixth form options but chose to stay at Newstead. Now very happy at Cambridge.

The two schools are geographically a way apart so is one more complicated to get to or was there one your DD preferred?

JAGS is outstanding with a wide range of nationalities and faiths.

Choose JAGS

I can't comment on Newstead. As my name change suggests, I'm a JAGS mum with a daughter in the secondary school.
We are delighted with JAGS. I cannot say enough good things about the culture. my daughter is becoming a wonderful young woman and JAGS are playing no small part in doing that. There is every opportunity at every turn. Excellence oozes out of everything so it's just the norm. Her confidence just grows and grows with every year that she's there. Her strength of character is harnessed, respected, honed, upheld. She has wonderful friends from a range of backgrounds. We are not a religious family but I know that girls of many faiths and cultures attend and are respected and there are specific societies/groups run by the girls to foster connections amongst girls from these backgrounds.
DH and I were saying last week that even if JAGS cost us everything we ever had it would be worth it just to see the change in her from age 11 to now.
Have you attended an Open Day at JAGS? What was your impression? Only you will know if the culture and feel is right for you and is worth the financial sacrifice.