*************FROGS*********************

[MarsLady]

I went to the CofE school in town today. Did you?

Went on Tuesday evening, ML. What did you think?

We really really liked it. I think the headteacher comes across v. well, despite slightly austere manner. And there was a lovely mix of kids, who all seemed to get on well together. Was particularly impressed by the library -- really good stock of books, and impressive little displays of themed books. Seemed as if they were really focussing on encouraging girls to read.

Then on Thursday we went to HBS, which had a completely different feel from when we visited last year. They are currently headteacher-less (new one starts in April, apparently), and seemed much more disorganised and less 'buzzy'. I also noticed that despite much trumpeting about the ethnic mix, infact about 70% of the girls were Asian, with the rest a mixture of white, chinese and some mixed race. Very few black girls. I got the feeling they're recruiting from a pool of v. ambitious academically pushy families, mainly from very North London and Herts, rather than London proper. Not sure that's a bunfight I particularly want to join, tbh.

Whereas GC was much more like the kind of social and ethnic mix we're used to. I think the church-ethos might be quite an important unifying factor. Would be entirely happy for dd1 to go to GC, whereas couldn't confidently say the same about HBS. Interesting, and not what we were expecting to find. One more to look at now, Catholic girls' school in Barnet, with scary purple uniforms!

LOL @ scary purple uniforms.

Have filled in my forms for GC. Absolutely loved it! I went last year, cos I wanted to see which schools I liked, whittle them down and take DD1 to my faves. So we are down to 2.

The local comp which is fantastic, has fab results. Like you I found it disorganised, very liberal and whilst a very good school not my first choice for DD1. She loved them both and would be happy to go to either. We would definitely get into the Comp cos we live on their doorstep.

Because of where we live the ethnic mix at the comp is 75% white. GC seems to have a good balance of all colours etc. I can really see DD1 in the uniform, though she's a bit appalled that they aren't allowed to wear trousers lol.

No uniform at the comp... such a shame. I love uniforms. Very laid back, incredibly good results.

When I set off with her to visit I kept asking myself if I was mad to travel to a school when I had a perfectly good one on my doorstep. I do think that GC would suit her better, but we're are lucky to be in a win win situation.

We had a wonderful tour guide who chattered on and smiled and laughed and knew the school very well. I made sure to tell one of the senior teachers.

I had a quick chat with the Headteacher who isn't as asture close up. I loved her speech. I found her humour dry and she was very witty. You can see that she cares for her girls. Some people in the row behind us were clearly shocked that they go back 5 years with your church attendance and how interested that they are in your church involvement.

We will be applying for a church place and DD1 will take the language test as well. May as well!

The best thing was that the tour finished when school finished and we saw some girls that we knew that went to DD1's primary school. They showed us the way that they travelled home and chattered on to DD1 telling her what was wonderful about the school and promising to travel with her. All of that made both her and I really happy.

So, all in all a very good day. I'm knackered though having done 2 schools in one day (I forgot all the upping and downing you do walking around them). Then I went to DS1's school for a curriculum evening.

I think I'm all schooled out lol.

If our DDs get places we should meet up.

Good luck with your application. It is a wonderful school and I love the warmth I felt there.

saw you about!

.

Hi ML! How you doing?

not bad honey.

I posted a reply about my thoughts on GC

I read it, ML. Sorry for not replying-- like you, I'm all schooled out. I'm pretending it's not happening until next Thursday when we go to see our final school. Then take a deep breath, fill in the forms and go for it.

I liked the GC uniform too. Smart without being too over the top. I liked the fact that they were quite dedicated to doing lots of sport as well. Shame we didn't get to see the upper school building, though. I suppose you get a sneak preview when you go for the banding test, but otherwise it's all a mystery. Which 'slot' will you be for the banding test? Dd1 will be in the 9am one -- early start! Presumably there are the same three sittings for the language test too.

We'll be in the noon one. So as you are leaving and breathing a sigh of relief, we'll be going in. Hopefully with smiles.

Which is your final school? One near you or another in town? Does it have an entrance exam? Having done the tour of schools for DS1 a couple of years ago I'm glad that I whittled it down to two.

I'm just trying to compose my reasons for wanting DD1 to go to GC and of course she has a to write her letter. Need to think of a suitable inducement to be sure that she's in the right mood.

the language test is popped onto the end of the assessment test. It's an extra half an hour.

Ah yes, the letter. The mysterious x-factor in the application process. Wonder what part it really plays. There's a slot for the parent to do a similar spiel on the application form. Better make sure our stories match...

Our last school is a Catholic grammar school in Barnet. It's not particularly near, but neither is GC. In a way it's a better journey because you're travelling against the commuter flow. Getting on the southbound Victoria line at Highbury in the rush hour is not a life-enhancing experience. Yes, it has an entrance exam too, but I don't think dd1 is particularly fazed by the test thing. I've promised to take her skiing when it's all over! We've never been before, so it'll be a mother-and-daughter adventure. And payback time for dh who has currently swanned off to Egypt for two weeks on a work-related jolly, leaving me in sole charge of the circus that is daily family life in the frog pond.

The skiing trip is our reward to ourselves for the stress we're enduring, btw. Not an inducement to dd1 to pass exams. I have heard horrendous stories from west London private-school land about parents promising their kids rewards for getting into pushy academic schools, which I think is shocking.

now that's what I call an incentive lmao.

How lovely! Am trying to work out the Barnet school. I probably do know. Will look at our list of open days and work it out from there.

I filled in all of the application apart from my spiel. Thought I'd take a bit of time on that one. Also have friends who's girls go there and will ask their advice for both letters.

When we did the visiting DD and I had lunch out, with dessert and milkshake after GC. Might not mention your skiing trip lol.

Right... time to ignore the computer and make sure all weekend jobs have been done. Kids in a good mood currently so this is the time.....

Chat soon! Be thinking of you on Thursday

cross post, but the trip sounds wonderful.