Girls schools Guildford (Rydes hill/tormead/GHS)

[Workingmum21]

Hi there, hope you are well. We are considering schools for reception year entry for our little girl. We are interested in rydes hill, tormead and GHS. The former two have relatively new heads- anyone have any experience of the new management? Concerned about pressure/ elitism of GHS at such a young age ( having gone there myself, granted a while ago now, I remember less bright girls being humiliated and pushed out). Any recent experience of these schools would be much appreciated. Pros/cons? How did they cope with lockdown? Did they stay open for key workers? Many thanks! Look forward to hearing from you!

Bump!

Yabu

I considered both ghs and tormead for my daughter and went with tormead. I loved both from what I saw but we didn’t choose ghs as my daughter is bright but not overly so. She is naturally sporty and I can tell already she may be academically lazy later on. We thought 4 is too young to know if she would be suited to an environment like ghs with how academically pushy it seems and didn’t want her to not enjoy it or meet their standards. We also got a much warmer feel from tormead at the assessment day. The deputy sits in with you and has a friendly chat, shows you round classes again. At ghs you are left to your own devices a bit more. It’s just incredibly friendly and welcoming at tormead.

With that said, both are great schools.

Rydes I didn’t personally consider as I preferred the fact the girls schools go on to senior. Rightly or wrongly, I also felt the junior schools in both would get my daughter up to a better level academically.

Sorry I also didn’t mention, the new head is fabulous. He seems to action any complaints incredibly fast. His communication to the parents is regular and he’s very approachable. He came from a well regarded school and I’m hoping for good things from him to be honest.

Why would you want an all girls school at primary age? Secondary makes sense for some kids, especially girls, but primary seems v odd.

@HavelockVetinari

Why would you want an all girls school at primary age? Secondary makes sense for some kids, especially girls, but primary seems v odd.

Why would you want mixed genders at primary school age?

Personally, I'd go GHS.

@HavelockVetinari

Why would you want an all girls school at primary age? Secondary makes sense for some kids, especially girls, but primary seems v odd.

Odd why?

Well that’s not at all helpful. If you’d read my post perhaps you might have noticed I have included rydes hill which is mixed until age 7. Do you know of any other mixed private primary schools in guildford? Perhaps if you do that might make your comment more helpful. My first time on Mumsnet. Didn’t realise there would be so many trolls

Thanks to all the helpful and informative responders- I greatly appreciate your thoughts

@Scrambling

Personally, I'd go GHS.

Thanks scrambling, may I ask why?

Thanks richtea432, glad to hear positive things about tormead and about the new head. Great that your daughter is happy there. I’m really impressed with the HPL approach they purport to take- get the sense that effort is rewarded even when mistakes are made which I imagine means the girls aren’t afraid to make mistakes which ultimately benefits learning and builds resilience . Is this just a sales pitch or is it tangible as a pupil/mum of the school? Never got the opportunity to actually visit the school due to covid, sadly

I left GHS a few years ago under the same head. Great school if your child is extremely bright and confident, outgoing and generally conforms to what the school values (high academic achievement, extroverted and sporty). If not I would suggest she may be happier elsewhere, although may not achieve the same grades at the other schools - depends on what you value most really. Can’t comment on the prep school, only secondary

@ShayAndBlueSeeker

Why the fuck are you asking on here? Ask on the Guildford parents Facebook group FFS

Why are you posting on here if you have nothing useful to say?

@coffeeplease16

I left GHS a few years ago under the same head. Great school if your child is extremely bright and confident, outgoing and generally conforms to what the school values (high academic achievement, extroverted and sporty). If not I would suggest she may be happier elsewhere, although may not achieve the same grades at the other schools - depends on what you value most really. Can’t comment on the prep school, only secondary

This is interesting. Is the school not so good for girls that are generally quite shy?

Have you considered St Teresas? Amazing new head and the pastoral care is outstanding.

I personally think the school always wants to look great from the outside, so they will always put the best performers in the school play for example, rather than ever giving the opportunity to someone who may benefit from growing their confidence, same goes for music performances, sports etc... The light tends to shine on pupils that seek it out rather than developing the self esteem and confidence of quieter students

Hi OP.

There are many outstanding state primaries in Guildford which will offer better qualified teaching staff. You really, really don't need to go private in Guildford.

To add. It's really hard raising balanced kids in Guildford, it's suffocatingly middle class and stuck up at times. Choosing private will only make it harder, you'll get a little more diversity and balance in state schools.

@coffeeplease16

I left GHS a few years ago under the same head. Great school if your child is extremely bright and confident, outgoing and generally conforms to what the school values (high academic achievement, extroverted and sporty). If not I would suggest she may be happier elsewhere, although may not achieve the same grades at the other schools - depends on what you value most really. Can’t comment on the prep school, only secondary

Thanks, yes agree with that except I'd add to the list of required attributes "excellent musician" as well haha! I actually think highly of the senior school for girls who fit the GHS mould. Usually by senior school it's clear whether the girl will "fit" or not and for those who do it's a fantastic environment. However, I'm not sure about imposing those values on primary school aged children, and although I think my 3 year old is bright I think I'd like to send her to a school that allows her to grow into her own person. Set her own mould. The junior school certainly didn't do that when I was there yonks ago and I think it shaped me going forwards. Tied my self esteem to my academic achievement and made me scared to make mistakes. I think I might have enjoyed the senior school more had I not gone to the junior! Hopefully the junior school has changed since ( although some of my old teachers are still knocking about!)

@Grobagsforever

To add. It's really hard raising balanced kids in Guildford, it's suffocatingly middle class and stuck up at times. Choosing private will only make it harder, you'll get a little more diversity and balance in state schools.

Thank you. I used to think I wouldn't touch a private school for my own children for the exact reasons you describe and having been privately educated myself. Unfortunately though my husband attended "outstanding" state schools in guildford for primary and secondary and had disinterested unsupportive teachers and disruptive fellow pupils. Wasn't cool to be smart, felt he had to dumb himself down. I'm sure things will have changed but it's hard to shake off personal experience.

@Grobagsforever

To add. It's really hard raising balanced kids in Guildford, it's suffocatingly middle class and stuck up at times. Choosing private will only make it harder, you'll get a little more diversity and balance in state schools.

Hmmm, matter of opinion. The girls I’ve come across who went to these private schools aren’t at all stuck up and perfectly balanced. Small class sizes and strong emphasis on sport is why some are drawn to private instead of state.

@Grobagsforever

Hi OP.

There are many outstanding state primaries in Guildford which will offer better qualified teaching staff. You really, really don't need to go private in Guildford.

Also, my cousin is a state primary school teacher in Surrey and laments her inability to give her 32 children (including special needs) the attention they deserve, so much so she is considering switching her kids to private now. Hearing her experience of teaching in state schools has sadly put the nail In the coffin regarding our decision! I have no doubt there are some excellent state teachers and pupils but for us I'm not sure if the benefits of a broader social education and that "balance" that comes with state outweigh the potential pitfalls ( and we are not rolling in dineros)