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Original poster

What would you pick if you could - London CoE or Catholic schools?

62 replies

Nkmama15 · 22/10/2025 17:14

Have the opportunity and meet the criteria to apply for two outstanding schools in London - the grey coats hospital school in Westminster and Sacred Heart high school in Hammersmith. Both girls schools and both perform well. grey coats gives ‘posh’ legacy school vibes , excellent university prospects and seems a very feminist school and I liked the head teacher. Sacred Heart is wholesome, performs well, lovely building , traditional, closer to home and seems more down to earth. I’m still scratching my head why people don’t shout about this school and if I’m missing something?! When I mention to people they just stay silent!

what would you pick from what you know of them - what at the pros and cons of them? I really do like both equally . But part of me feels grey coats is probably a strong academic school so why wouldn’t I go for that one?! I really value everyone’s opinions and experiences from these schools .

OP posts:
Original poster
Nkmama15 · 22/10/2025 19:13

LeftFooter · 22/10/2025 18:40

If it’s anything like Cardinal Vaughan and oratory you have to go to Mass every week for 2 years to count as a practising Catholic. It’s not enough to be a baptised Catholic or go to a Catholic primary school.

My info might be out of date but I know they were very progressive on trans issues a while ago. One of the pupils had socially transitioned, went by a boys name and wore boys clothes. This at an all girls school.

Yes indeed! as mentioned , we meet full criteria for Catholic schools and particularly SH. Indeed you need baptism, preferably when the child is under 3 months , holy communion, weekly attendance. We cover all.
with regards to GC we also meet the criteria on another point in their admissions policy- so this post isn’t about the IF we meet, it’s more the difference between Catholic and COE schools and the vibe between these particular schools.

OP posts:
BreakingBroken · 22/10/2025 18:50

when you go to the government web site
and click on additional information (pupil characteristics for example)
you see that GC scores slightly better on all fronts than SH.
but both schools have impressive numbers.
not sure about daily rules and regulations, i'm not in favor of overly strict atmospheres.

Gruffporcupine · 22/10/2025 18:42

Advice would be go and stand near the school and look at the students going in or out. You'll get an idea of whether your DC will fit in. In London in particular, this can be crucial

LeftFooter · 22/10/2025 18:40

If it’s anything like Cardinal Vaughan and oratory you have to go to Mass every week for 2 years to count as a practising Catholic. It’s not enough to be a baptised Catholic or go to a Catholic primary school.

My info might be out of date but I know they were very progressive on trans issues a while ago. One of the pupils had socially transitioned, went by a boys name and wore boys clothes. This at an all girls school.

mynameiscalypso · 22/10/2025 18:20

DS is at a West London Catholic school. The most popular girls destination is St Michael’s but they send a couple of girls each to SH and GC and I’ve heard positive reports of both. DS’ school is almost all Catholic so clearly there is usually a Catholic contingent at GC.

Original poster
Nkmama15 · 22/10/2025 18:07

TheNightingalesStarling · 22/10/2025 17:29

I don't know the schools so my questions would be...

  • what denomination are you?
  • how religious are the schools (prayer in lessons, opinions on Science etc)- anybteligious ceremonies expected and is that on fitting with your own faith
  • which gives you the better feeling?

We are Catholic . I’m not sure how intense the school and I imagine it’s like a primary which is fairly Catholic would say - pray a lot , celebrate feast days etc etc

I liked the Catholic school - but I’ve only found 1 person on mumsnet that rates it! Haha and 100s who rate GC…

OP posts:
Original poster
Nkmama15 · 22/10/2025 18:05

LeftFooter · 22/10/2025 17:37

SH isn’t traditional in any sense. It’s pretty progressive. Not my bag but might be what you prefer.

what are the criteria for entry? The nearby boys catholic schools only admit Catholics in effect.

A friend had DC at GC a while back and they had a great time and all did very well. But it’s still an inner city comp.

Yes we fit criteria for SH due to being practicing /feeder school etc but she can also apply to GC due to other criteria . What is it you find progressive about the school ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Nkmama15 · 22/10/2025 18:04

NellieJean · 22/10/2025 17:33

I suppose it’s naive to ask if you follow the Catholic faith.

Yes we are Catholic but my daughter also has another route to apply into GC which is COe

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 22/10/2025 17:40

To be honest.... I'd go for whichever one is easier to get too.
They are quite a distance from each other so it will obviously depend on where you live but look at how easy the commute will be for an 11 year old

LeftFooter · 22/10/2025 17:37

SH isn’t traditional in any sense. It’s pretty progressive. Not my bag but might be what you prefer.

what are the criteria for entry? The nearby boys catholic schools only admit Catholics in effect.

A friend had DC at GC a while back and they had a great time and all did very well. But it’s still an inner city comp.

NellieJean · 22/10/2025 17:33

I suppose it’s naive to ask if you follow the Catholic faith.

TheNightingalesStarling · 22/10/2025 17:29

I don't know the schools so my questions would be...

  • what denomination are you?
  • how religious are the schools (prayer in lessons, opinions on Science etc)- anybteligious ceremonies expected and is that on fitting with your own faith
  • which gives you the better feeling?