The language change at Tormead is welcome to us, my wife is a state school teacher and despairs that even they offer three lanuages, it's nuts. The kids (like most other schools) can still can choose two from three languages, plus Latin etc., which means they actually get good at two languages instead of average at three. It also means the girls get extra art, textiles, etc. In those freed up lessons.
The urnfield was rejected due to the static floodlights, however I was also intrigued, so at the social part of the offer evening I spoke to them about it and was reassured that the urnfield already had some floodlights, which they will continue to use, plus it doesn't stop them building any of the new all weather pitches and using the mobile floodlights. So they will look to go ahead with that, whilst appealing at the same time. With that, the on site and surrey sports park, it's not really an issue for us. I guess it depends what you're after, which for my daughter is definitely netball, rowing and tennis. It's courses for horses.
I've been to all the events where the new head has spoken, didn't find him putting down any other schools, so I'm curious where that comes from for you? In fact at the recent offer holder evening he actually said that other schools will be different to tormead and will appeal to you more, and as parents/students you must always pick the right fit for your daughter.
That all being said, why I really logged on tonight was to share something quite shocking..... that really caught us by surprise! So, on accepting a tormead place for DD this week, we then politely called to reject another offer (with scholarship) so that they could give it to someone else. The admissions lady, at said school, then told by us that Tormead was struggling financially and to be careful, which got us really worried, as prospective parents....! Well, when I then checked out the charity commission website, after calling tormead, it seems tormead have an average annual surplus of £800k and £6m+ cash in the bank... conversely, on checking, the other school, who told me this, seemingly it has almost no annual surplus and no cash reserves... it's really quite a (very) naughty thing to say! Has it got this bad?!
That sort of strange marketing/desperation sort-of brings me onto this year's overall oddity, which has nothing to to with Tormead, but is really quite a general reflection on our 11+ family journey. When my eldest went through this 4-5 years ago the process was emotional but less intense.... A lot of parents this year, my daughter's friends included, have been sold this bizarre 'warm, friendly and fuzzy, arty and creative' vibe, which will ensure 'your daughter thrives in creative environment'...for a start why have we started selling 'creative arts' as an easy, warm and fuzzy pathway, and, have I gone mad or does everyone seem paranoid that their daughters must be comfortable, hugged and happy and that's about it? It's like we've become, dare I day, 'snow flakes' for them. A couple of my daughters mates are oustandingly clever, but their parents are petrified of GHS, Tormead and StCats, because they are worried they might not cope academically.
It's just odd.
Not that my advise does, or should, count for anything, it would, however, be that any one of the schools above would be great.... so don't sell out your daughter's academically, they will all look after your kid, just get the biggest bang for your buck at the right academic level for your daughter. I can ensure you, she doesn't need just warm and fuzzy by default, these girls should be our future leaders.