Putney High Junior?

[Primafacie]

DD has been offered a place following 4+ assessment. We are very proud of her, especially as we do OPOL so she is less exposed to English than the average kid (though DH is English). I think she is reasonably bright, but I thought the same of every little girl on her assessment day - they all looked gorgeous, clever and fun, as most 3 year olds do :). I've no idea why DD was selected tbh.

Any opinions on the junior school would be gratefully received. We also have offers from other schools but PHS would be my first choice, subject to any major adverse information.

Thanks

PS - this is not a thread on the rationale for 4+ assessments! We are past that stage now.

Putney has a great reputation and as a GDST school has access to a range of resources more independent 'independents' don't have. If it is your first choice and you like the school, I'd say to go with your gut feeling!

Go for it. Brilliant school.

Thank you :) we're very excited and relieved.

My only worry would be that since there is no educationally reliable way of assessing ability at 4, a few of the 4+ entry used to end up leaving at 7 or 11, either because it was suggested, or they were finding it hard being at the bottom. Also some moans from those with very bright DDs that they were not prepared adequately for more selective schools at 11 (but that may be more to do with frustrated parental ambition). This may have changed / be changing though, and as long as you are aware of it and make sure your DD is happy and achieving, and it feels right for her, then, as highlighted above it is a good school.

PHS sounds like a great school but just be sure that you want your daughter to be at an all girls school at such a young age since some girls just don't suit that environment and if you are considering the senior school that's a long time to be away from boys! Well done to your DD for getting in though.

Thanks Copthall and Confused, I think we've gone through all the pros and cons now! I'm not thrilled about it being girls-only at 4, but she has a younger brother and lots of boy friends outside of school, so will be exposed to lots of boys games.

Well done to your daughter! Some girls do move from Putney at 11 & get into schools which are more academically selective without additional work so I don't think you need worry about whether it is rigorous enough. One of my dds does extra curricular sport with some PHS girls & says they are v.friendly. Also they are the best school locally for gymnastics, only LEH is of a similar standard & that is a much longer journey & I don't think it starts until yr3.

Eastpoint I didn't know about gymnastics, DD has been doing gymnastics for a few months and really enjoys it, so that's another plus.

Thanks also for the rest of your post, I don't really want to think about the 11+ just yet :o

A friend of mine has two older boys & a daughter at PHS & she has been surprised by the lack of pressure compared to all boys schools in years 1 & 2, but I assume that is because the girls aren't trying to get into Colet or KCS at 7. My dd1 didn't get into PHS for Reception but we'd have been very happy for her to go there had she got in.