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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Kingston Grammar School or Putney High

29 replies

NSLdn · 25/02/2025 14:05

Hello, we are really keen to hear from people with experience with these two secondary schools. We like them both, their locations are good for us, our daughter is happy with co-ed (coming from such environment) or girls only, she is outgoing, sporty, and she likes to learn and participate in the classroom, a keen student with preference in year 6 for English, languages, History, science. We are trying to find the other major differences between these schools that could help us to choose the right one from year 7. For instance, we heard that PH might feel more competitive between the girls. Thanks for your help.

OP posts:
Original poster
NSLdn · 25/02/2025 17:38

This is very helpful, thank you!
Anyone with experience at PHS?
Thanks.

OP posts:
ncsurrey22 · 25/02/2025 17:18

DD is at KGS and she has a couple of friends at Putney High in the same year group. She's loving KGS so far and has made friends very easily. Lots of opportunities for all and I feel like there is room for many different characters and interests. Some children do 3-4 sports clubs after school and are really involved in that and others are into music or science, while she also has some friends who go home at 3.45pm every day and engage in extracurriculars outside of school. Can highly recommend it. They had plenty of time to settle in and the transition into Y7 felt quite gentle.

Her friends at PHS are happy too but did seem to take a bit longer to build friendships - perhaps because of the junior school. They also complain a bit about the amount of homework they have now. I doubt they have more homework than the girls at KGS long term, but perhaps the transition is a bit less gentle.

What sports does your DD like? There's no hockey at Putney, but then there is lacrosse and gymnastics which PHS offers and KGS doesn't. Both do rowing to quite a high level. Netball is better at PHS. Football / cricket fairly similar at both I believe. Might be slightly easier to get on the top teams at KGS as there are less girls competing for the A/B teams. Hope that helps!

Original poster
NSLdn · 25/02/2025 16:31

Thanks for your message, this is great to hear about your experience.
Looking forward to receiving more inputs from other parents. Thanks.

OP posts:
elenaf · 25/02/2025 14:35

My daughter is in the first year at KGS. So far, she loves it and we have been delighted. The children are challenged academically and there is so much going on, but there seems to be a really kind, supportive atmosphere. She has enjoyed House Drama and Dance, the TSBA book awards, some lovely opportunities to complete personalised projects. There's a huge array of clubs too. Games is very hockey focused but there are netball and football clubs too, with tennis and cricket coming up.