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Original poster

North East Independent Schools DHS Vs CNHS

21 replies

ClapTrap · 18/10/2011 19:48

(I posted a thread about this earlier today, but it has gone missing.)
We live half way between DHS and CNHS and are debating which one would be the best for our DD aged 3.5y. Ideally we want her to be challenged academically, but not hot housed, iykwim. We would like her to have lots of opportunity for music, drama, sport and dance. She is quite reserved so we would also like somewhere that would nurture her and bring her out of herself.
We've already had a look at DHS and loved the feel of it. We've had mixed reviews from other parents though. Some love it and some have reported issues with bulling. We are going to visit CNHS on Thursday. We have some friends with children there and they seem to be happy with it.
Anyone have any experience of either?
Also, I have read a few worrying threads here about bitchiness in all girl schools. Is this really a problem or an urban myth?

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SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 18/10/2011 19:53

My cousins went to DHS (took me ages to work out the acronym, still not sure of the other one) and really enjoyed it. They are not bitchy in the slightest and never seemed to have a problem with bitchiness or bullying.

SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 18/10/2011 19:53

OK I really can't figure it out - CNHS? Same county?

Original poster
ClapTrap · 18/10/2011 19:58

Durham High School for Girls Vs Central Newcastle High School

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SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 18/10/2011 19:59

ahright :) Sorry, don't know anything about the other one

SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 18/10/2011 20:00

I went to Red House in Stockton, also very good, no sixth form

Original poster
ClapTrap · 18/10/2011 20:05

My firends little boy goes to Red House. It is moving to Wynyard Hall next year with a new, purpose built building and a sixth form. I have given it some thought as my friend rates it. It is perhaps just a little too far for us though :(

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Original poster
ClapTrap · 18/10/2011 20:05

*friend's, sorry (learn to preview post!)

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wonkylegs · 18/10/2011 20:16

CNHS is having a bit of a reorganisation of it's buildings - don't know how much disruption this will cause but it might be worth asking about

Original poster
ClapTrap · 19/10/2011 15:10

Thanks for your thoughts, hopefully I will have a clearer idea after the Central Newcastle open day tomorrow. It's good to hear good things about both.

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Highlander · 20/10/2011 14:11

I've heard a rumour that CNHS is in a bit of turmoil at the moment. apparently they're leaving in droves for RGS.

Original poster
ClapTrap · 20/10/2011 15:40

How very interesting, do you know why?

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Original poster
ClapTrap · 20/10/2011 16:49

How very interesting, do you know why?

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Original poster
ClapTrap · 20/10/2011 18:28

How very interesting, do you know why?

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yorkshiremummy75 · 20/10/2011 23:06

Is it specifically all girls that you are looking at? Because Durham chorister's school would fit the bill - musical, academic and as it is small is great at nurturing a quieter girl. It does only go up to 13 though.

Yarm school in teesside is also very good - would that be a bit far away though?

Original poster
ClapTrap · 22/10/2011 23:02

Hi thanks for that yorkshiremummy. I do love the Chorister school. I used to live across the way from it in my uni days and I used to adore the littlies in their purple uniforms. We have considered co-ed, but I think we would like an all-thorough school too. It is a gorgeous school though.

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Almostfifty · 23/10/2011 21:33

Have you looked at Dame Allan's school?

yorkshiremummy75 · 24/10/2011 18:10

Barnard Castle? It is co-ed but does go all-through (I think). I know what you mean about those little uniforms though, they are gorgeous!

Original poster
ClapTrap · 25/10/2011 23:37

My friend recommended Barney as well, it does look amazing. Sadly it is too far. We live in Washington and my lovely in-laws have agreed to do the pick-ups and drop-offs until DD is old enough to get the school bus by herself. We would feel really bad asking them to go all the way to Barnard castle.
We have come to a decision though...we have registered DD at Durham High School. After visiting all the local schools we were interested in, that was the one we got the best feeling from. We've heard many more positives than negatives about it and we feel DD will by happy there. I suppose we can always change if that doesn't turn out to be the case. Thank you for all your help and ideas.

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manicinsomniac · 26/10/2011 13:26

I have a friend who teaches at DHS. She says it's idyllic. I'm sure you'll be happy there.

JellicleCat · 26/10/2011 15:23

OP, glad you have now made a choice, but I am surprised to see no mention of Sunderland High School, which should be reasonable travel if you are in Washington. I went there in the dark ages when it was still all girls, but it is an all-through.

Original poster
ClapTrap · 26/10/2011 21:12

We did consider SHS and we have some friends who have or have had children there. Everyone we know speaks very highly of it.
We really liked the feel of the school and the junior headteacher was really lovely. It comes across as very caring and not at all pretentious - all good things! We were slightly put off by the larger class sizes compared to DHS (it gets over subscribed almost every year) and sometimes the ratio can be something like 15 boys to 5 girls. It is a risk we didn't want to take as we think DD would be overshadowed a little. Also we felt there was a noticeable (if not entirely subconscious) gender bias from the head as he showed us around. He talked a lot about what the boys can do and what the girls can do.

Also, although results are not a marker of a brilliant school, they would be helpful in understanding the academic success of the school and seeing where subject strength lies. Astonishingly, SHS does not have their results any where to view on their website that we could find. Most school link them from the first page. That sent alarm bells ringing a little. We would like to know that our child is happy, but also that she will be given the chance to succeed if she is academically inclined.

manicinsomniac - That is very reassuring! Thank you for that.

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