Wimbledon High School admissions

@Breeze67 not sure of the basis for questioning the commitment to academic depth, practical skills and solid career preparation - their results, destinations, programme of extra and super curriculars and experience and feedback from alumni speaks of the opposite. As for the feminism and political engagement, I think (as somebody with actual experience of the school) that it is a girls' school that encourages the students to be aware of the realities of being a woman and of the wider social and political context, as well as to think critically and be ready to put forward their views - surely something to value.

You are right about the encouragement of extra-curricular, which is definitely enriching. If your daughter likes debating, beyond the usual clubs, many other activities encourage a dialectic approach to learning. That is not to say that there is not learning done in a "traditional" way but it is definitely complemented with quite active /participative learning.

We visited Nonsuch but I was put off by the huge pride display at the entrance. It all seemed too much for ten year olds and suggested to me that the school’s priorities were askew.

@Breeze67 i have heard similar about WHS with parents becoming increasingly weary.

OP, I am biased as am Catholic but liked the warmth of St Phil’s alongside the academics. I liked the facilities and setting too.

Ultimately I think you are in a strong position and have lots of good schools from which to choose.

Best of luck.

I am @Breeze67 using another account . I did some research before the open day, looking into their exam results and academic provision via their website. On paper they looked excellent, so I went into the open day with high expectations. Comparatively, however, the visit didn’t quite live up to what I’d imagined — probably my expectations were a little too high. Their presentation was polished and refined, yet I got the sense the school focuses heavily on outward appearances. When we spoke to the student guides, many seemed clueless both about the subjects and the extracurriculars such as music and drama, and I didn’t see much passion or curiosity from them. I have also visited other comparable schools, including one grammar school. I feel WHS is nothing special and does not stand out above the rest. so I would only treat it as a backup option.

I’d always encourage to visit a school more than once. Pupils have to take tours and some are much better than others! We looked at Putney High 3 times and got completely different views each time! Although DD hated it every time!
The view you got of WHS is polar opposite of how it felt when DD was there. She would have been great as a tour guide but would have known bugger all about the sport past about Y8 but tons on drama, music, her subjects etc.
But I refused to let her even go round one all girls school I looked at because of the open day I went to without her so I’m
being a bit hypocritical! (Although niece is at that school and my impressions seem to be correct..)

Our experience of the school cannot be more removed from your perception. Not sure who you spoke with but I am, in years interacting with the school and its students yet to come about girls that I would refer to as "clueless about subjects and extracurricular", especially the "many" that you refer to.

We are all entitled to our views, of course and your pursuit of other alternatives. To be honest, given the view you have of the school, I don't think it makes much sense for you to have it even as a back up.

‘Clueless’ is a fact from my observation, not just my opinion. I am still applying because I am not looking for a perfect school; having a few aspects fall below expectations is acceptable, and my daughter really likes it.

People I know in Wimbledon are considering the options you have in OP as well as a few privates a bit further but accessible by rail, such as Woldingham.
Main thing is to look at them with her and make sure she feels listened to IME as forcing at this age can set kids up to rebel and be miserable. She sounds bright so I am sure you will all make a good choice.

as you’re seeking general opinions on WHS.

I know ppl who are happy with it. And others (fewer but vocal) who are extremely unhappy with it. Behaviour issues including bullying and teachers unable to control handful of rowdy dominant girls are the complaints I hear.

plenty are happy from what I can gather.

depends what you’re looking for really and how much of a sacrifice you’d have to make to pay the fees.

good luck with the whole process!

I suspect this applies to a particular year group which has a few nightmare girls. They should all be gone by the time OPs DD would start. Putney High had a similar tricky year group a couple of years ago.
not to say there won’t be pains in every year but one current year group is particularly bad.

I think we are almost certainly talking about the same year group itwasallwrong…!!

Oh hang on maybe not as the year I know of isn’t a year group that would be gone by next year!
but yes of course, any school can have a difficult year group for whatever reason. It only takes a few tricky characters and all schools have them.

Sutton high is a great school. Yes less selective than WHS but gets the best out of the girls there. My DDs have thrived. One got A A A at a level and other is on track for AAA. Don’t write off due to being less selective. I’d choose it over WH any day.

The tricky ones will probably leave for other schools at sixth form! Off to cause havoc at Kings no doubt!

I was going to add similar about SH. The girls I know there are very happy and doing really well.

I hope there is a non-selective on your list OP? It sounds like DD will be put through test after test and I can’t imagine how she’d feel if she didn’t pass any of them…

Kings? So these tricky girls happen to be top academic performers as well? I wonder if this connects into the school's focus on 'resilience' as you mentioned; perhaps making staff more tolerant of challenging behaviour. The headteacher strikes me as a warm, highly intellectual idealist who advocates for feminism and playful learning, which might explain her softer approach to discipline. Don't get me wrong, I admire the school's ethos. I'm just concerned how their ideals actually play out in reality.

@Breeze67 - it wasn’t a serious comment! I have no idea who they are or where they will be going. I only know about the tricky year group as DDs friend had a sister in that year and she mentioned it.

That's reassuring. King's for Sixth Form sounds very appealing to us, actually.

I think 'test after test' is not a bad thing and parents should encourage kids to try rather than not try if the child has academic calibre. If she "didn't pass any of them," then I guess she would land at a local state comprehensive, just like many of her classmates. Based on the fact that OP would not let her DD skip a club session to visit Sutton High (which practically serves as a backup), I reckon she is not deadly serious about the private route. Still, having more options is always better.

we are in a very similar position - DD took 2nd stage for Nonsuch and Wally Girls and we are considering which other 4 options to put in the form and in what order. Currently have Glenthorne High, Graveney School (in Tooting but fairly easy commute by 127 bus) and St Philomena on the list not sure what others to consider - definitely not Carshalton Girls (really disliked it on the open day and heard lots of bad reviews as well), so probably will include Greenshaw as a back up (although did not like it on the open day either, and don't like the fact that they don't have sets for maths and other subjects).
Still considering if we should try independent schools - I can only just afford the fees, and am a single mum with no help from anyone, so it would be a constant stress for me what would happen if I lose my job...