Tiffin Girls vs indies

That’s not true though, as a super selective grammar like Tiffin is viewed in exactly the same way as an independent school for the purposes of Oxbridge admissions. They look at how pupils’ achievements fit into the context of their peer group, not the money paid in fees.

Independents offer individualised academic support to pupils whenever they need it through clinics, one-to-ones etc. You can be sure that your child will be given all the help that they need. Many independent school pupils are not high achievers in all areas (e.g. struggle with maths) but independents get good grades for them. Tiffin is more of a sink or swim environment. The majority of state pupils that are accepted to Oxbridge come from Tiffin and the other selective grammar schools. This is how Oxbridge gets the academically excellent whilst meeting its state school quota. If your child is thinking about Oxbridge (perhaps early days for that!) I would recommend Tiffin.

Realistically you are looking at £250,000 for 7 years at a private secondary school from Sept 25. It's a massive amount of money however wealthy you are. I wonder if the private schools will publish the Sept 25 fees by early March, they have until last day of Easter holidays to do so (1 terms notice).

Don’t understand what you’re saying..

But yes I’m sure your one neighbours stories are all true and correct…

I know ex Tiffin Boys teacher, my neighbour. I don't feel like writing down her stories. But a lot is based on perpetuated legends. Have a good evening

Sure, of course with this specific school, TG, is a completely different story. But I still believe that if she has a choice of top selective private school and even best grammar, I would go for private as they are not underfunded as grammar schools It is equally hard to get in to those school.

Yes but that’s nothing to do with my point about salaries. And that still doesn’t mean the teaching is better in private schools. One could easily argue you need to be a better teacher to teach in the state sector because of the wider variety of abilities amongst the pupils

@SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn , this fact is well known in Kingston because Tiffin school was downgraded to Good in 2022.

Tiffin Girls school is a super selective school and any dd who gains a place straight out in March or later on via the WL should be proud of their achievement. It was graded outstanding in 2021.

As you know 1/3 of grammar schools got downgraded by OFSTED - the aspect of teaching provision is often the reason.

I don’t have direct experience with Tiffin, but I’ve heard that the more frequent tests in state schools (not just academic ones) help the teachers to know what pupils may be getting behind in certain areas. With larger classes it’s easier for some to fall through the cracks. This probably isn’t as necessary in private schools with smaller classes. Tbh they seem to help keep our DC on top of things so really don't mind them!

Like Tiffin, DD's school is very academically successful. It's probably one of the closest comparisons among independent schools. Based on what you said earlier, the three things that stuck out for me as being really different are

Relentless tests. We haven't had this at all. Tests have been few and far between, and there is a huge emphasis on girls not competing with one another (I'm guessing it's harder to avoid this with a lot of tests).

Little feedback for parents. Not my experience. And if you want more feedback, you will get it if you ask.

High homework demands. I've been pleasantly surprised that on the whole there has been very little homework.

Also, actually, a fourth thing which is sports teams for top talents only (and I'm guessing similar for music and drama etc, but I might be wrong). We've found that if a child wants to be involved there will be something they can join for their level, even if they aren't one of the best. There were 7 netball teams for that age group running in Y7 (about half the cohort).

Salaries for teachers are no longer much better in private schools. Many private schools appear to have better salaries but once you realise that many have withdrawn from the TPS (teachers pensions scheme) in the long run they are not that great. Hence, why many teachers are returning to the state sector especially those with money already in the TPS, which can result in a drain of experience. Take a look on the TES job section and you can see for yourself there is little difference these days.

No, I don't think the experience between private secondary and TGS is THAT different. This is London after all. The car park is full of Teslas. The school is the tops academically and they know it - so do the girls. There's no pool or wood panelled school hall (as at LEH for instance) but places are like hen's teeth. If your daughter is studious and ambitious - and the commute isn't too bad - she'll love it

Based on DD's experience of doing it the other way round and going to a private secondary knowing nobody, I felt like the school was aware of this and deliberately mixed form groups and teaching groups up so they weren't dominated by people who already knew each other. I think all schools are so much hotter on pastoral care than they used to be and will have considered this type of thing.

Pre made friendship groups is only an issue at schools that give offers based on catchment. At the selective schools it’s rare for kids to know more than 2 other kids out of the 100 kids accepted.

I wouldn’t fret too much just yet. Go through the process for all and see where you end up at offer day.

Also I’d reconsider LU as they’ve ditched GCSEs. It’s only worthwhile if you absolutely know you’ll stay until end of 6th form as that’s the only useful qualification given by that school.

@meuntilmarch2025 , it's really tricky to get a place at Tiffin girls without going on the WL and paying the deposit for a private secondary anyway. More would come from prep schools if they could get in. Several try from the junior schools like LEH, Surbtion etc each year but in the case of surbiton they will also try and keep prep school girls by offering scholarships to substantially reduce the fees. This will of course change this year with vat as the fees reduction will be smaller. It's harder to achieve a place in March at Tiffin girls than almost any other school, a bit of time spent on the elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum Surrey page bears this out.

I might be mistaken, but I don't thiink there are many groups of girls from same prep/primary school. All seem to be a random mix. DD recognised a handful of girls, all from different schools / activity connections. The geographical spread seems v wide. Only one of her good friends is from inner area (as far as we can tell - the girls themselves don't care or talk about that stuff) . So not great if readymade friends from junior school is a definite requirement for your child

No, this has not changed. No homework policy during school holidays is still here. The girls work very hard during the term but no homework is set for holidays. I am not sure about higher years but nothing in year 7.

Hi. My girls went to TGS, one has SEN and we found them to be very supportive. It's a great school academically and they have lots of sports and music on offer (not that mine were interested). Their friends came from a mix of state primary and independent prep. I found staff, in particular the Head and SLT, to be very approachable. The girls do tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed but the school had a policy of no hw to be set during holidays which I really liked although this may have changed by now.

Hi, my daughter is in TGS, year 7, has just finished her first term and so far so good, she is very happy. Last year we had offers from some independents but we decided to go for Tiffin and not regretting it. The cohort is very hard working and motivated. The school leadership - as somebody said - very impressive! Teachers are demanding but nice and approachable at the same time. Subjects? It would be nice if the school could introduce more language options? My daughter was keen to study German, Tiffin does not offer that but never mind, we cannot have everything and we can always do that outside of school. Extra curriculars (full list can be viewed on the website) probably not as impressive as in some private schools but there is more than enough for us. At the beginning of y7, the girls were encouraged to get involved in as many as possible but now my daughter dropped a couple of clubs as it was too much, especially that she also has a couple of external ones. Music department - fantastic!!! Generally - daughter is very happy there.

Have girls in both private (London but not as top as some mentioned) and TGS. I think the leadership is pretty impressive at Tiffin. Girls also more down to earth and studious. What it lacks are facilities and some subject choices. If these are important to you, go private.

This is so interesting to hear - I have always wondered how things would have been if we had jumped the other way. Some things sound very similar and some completely different.

Sorry, and: The teachers seem very good, from what I hear from her. Not too many supplies. Tend to be aged in 30s. Head is liked