Which school would you pick for year 7 girl?

[Jss1985]

Hi there,

We moved new area recently. Our daughter is in year 5 and we would like her to go independent school in year 7. We live between 2 very different schools. But unfortunately we dont know anyone who goes to these school so I wanted to ask here to get an idea which one we need to focus on (we practice these schools previous exam papers)

School 1- Girls only school, 15 mins walk away, transport links are great, she can go to school by public bus(5stops) or train (1stop).
Recent GCSE results: 37% of students receive the top grade A* (9/8) across all subjects.

School 2: Coed independent school, no alternative route to travel school by bus or train- because she needs to take 2 public bus than 15 mins walk which will take more than a hour each way. School is 3 miles away from our place I can drop her by car but to be honest I dont want to do that for 7 years so she can use school bus (I dont know how much it will cost per annum). But this schools is larger and facilities are better than School 1.

Recent GCSE Results: 41% of students receive the top grade A* (9/8) across all subjects.

Which school would you pick for 11 years old girl?

You’re projecting many years ahead for GCSE and lots can change. I think it’s far too soon to be thinking about university. Go for the one she is most happy with and if it’s neither- keep looking.

Does either school run a dedicated minibus/coach service?

@LIZS yes, they both have school bus service

You choose the one your daughter prefers.

It is her education not yours

From your previous post, it sounds like you prefer the second school because it's 'pushy' - pushing your daughter to a school which she doesn't want to go to, because you want them to push her for academic achievement, is a great way to push your daughter away.

If the school your daughter prefers is safe and provides an adequate education then there shouldn't be any other discussion.

I will choose school 1 because of the easier commute to school and it being single sex. Both are massive pluses for me.

Why are you worrying about convoluted public transport routes? If dc had gone to theirs(5 miles by road) by bus it would have involved a change plus 15 minute walk taking over an hour. I dropped them 5 minutes from home to meet school bus which took less than 20 minutes direct.

@SpringBunnies 👍🏻

I have to say that for independent schools neither of them are showing results that would indicate a very academic slant. If your dd is interested in medicine she might struggle to get the results she needs , not because she isn’t capable but because the input might not be there. Have you checked how sciences and maths come out on those numbers?

all girls seemed happy and confident there

That is a huge factor for girls going through teenage years - happy and confident girls are more likely to do well at school. I would prize that over extra green space.

As for Oxbridge courses - well you don't have to stay for 6th form but you might find that in five years time both schools and others have changed. You should review sixth form choices nearer to the time.

To be honest for independent neither have particularly good results. I would suggest checking they are supporting the students adequately

I would go for school 1.

I think that the Oxbridge thing can be a bit of a red herring. Your DD is obviously bright, but going for Oxbridge is not the be all and end all, and not proof of good teaching.

I like single sex schools for girls. I have boys but have loads of friends with daughters at single sex state and private schools. The uptake in STEM and sport is far greater than in the local coeds. And they don't have to fight so hard to be heard in class. Or deal with unwanted sexual attention.

(As a foot note, does the coed have gender neutral loos? Most girls I know bloody hate them in school. The boys are not fans either, but it is the girls who suffer.)

@gogohmm school 1: 78% of all grades 9/8/7.
school 2: 84%of all grades 9/8/7.

still not good?

@HoisttheMainSail yes almost everyone recommends single sex for girls in secondary stage. When we visited school 2 one of the teacher there used to teach in school 1 and we asked her opinion than even she said both schools are great but for girls I would go for school 1 as it is single sex school. My husband and my daughter also prefer single sex school but I am unsure 🤷🏻‍♀️

Single sex.

I wouldn't go to a school that forces religion on its pupils.

You're daughter is telling your she wants to go single sex but you're refusing because it isn't pushy enough then?

@SleepingStandingUp 👍🏻

Why are you unsure?

I would also ask if there is a linked boys school? My DS has met lots of great girls at the local girls school. They do CCF, theatre, music, volunteering and bits of the IB together.

viques makes a very good point - at high 30s - 41% pass rates isn't that high. Have you checked the local state school pass rates. To give you an idea DD's old school had a 94% rate of 9-8s and 90% in 2022 for GCSEs. Her school was selective, single sex and independent. Unless the local state schools are appalling, I wouldn't be wasting my hard earned (or rather DP's hard earned cash) on a private education if the exam results are at the 40% level. Our 2 local secondary schools with reasonable reputations are getting low 50%s.

If your DD is keen on medicine she needs to be looking for a good strong solid base to build upon with A levels - again DD's school had a 72% rate for A & A* in 2022. They regularly have 4-8 girls going on to do Medicine.

Check out your local state secondaries - you just might be pleasantly surprised. Also ask at these 2 independent schools for the destinations of their A level students - which universities and which subjects. Independents will have this info - it's proof of their good educational input. If they don't and they give you the run around about producing the all rounded young adult - they are not sufficiently academic to guide your DD into medicine.

@HoisttheMainSail - I moved to UK 6 years ago and in our country there is no single sex school and I feel its weird. But its looks like majority of people prefer single sex schools for their daughters in secondary stage

@DPotter sorry 41% rate is for grade 9 only. I type it wrong. I just checked 9/8 is about %65-70. This is GCSE grades x

Have you checked if either school has vacancies?

OK - but still check on the A level destinations. Students looking to do medicine need specific and early advice when applying and so a school with a good record of getting their students placed is very useful.

@DPotter will do - thank you 👍🏻

Not what you said originally!

A year 5 teacher said that she would do great in exams and that medicine was on the cards?

I find that hard to believe