St Dunstans or Sydenham Sydenham High School GDST

[Yeswoman123]

DD has been offered a place at the above schools for reception next year (also no from Alleyns and waitlist from JAGS). We are unsure of what to do and would welcome any advice.

Initially, we wanted Co-Ed but after touring the various schools, started to very much so warm up to the all-girls environment. We live more or less equal distance from the two and neither is particularly easy/difficult to get to. Which school is regarded as a better option?

I always prefer all girls school for the girls.

My daughters are in one of the GDST school and we love it. They support and empower girls so well. All my daughters friends are kind and confident.

My daughters are at the prep after we choose Sydenham over St Dunstans at 4+. It is a really nurturing school and they empower the girls. I was very anti-all girls schools before looking round but was won round by the school and the teachers at the time.

We’re also similar distances between the two but when I did a trial bus run in rush hour the route to Sydenham was much quicker and the 185 from St Dunstans is hellish at school finish time in case you will be commuting by bus… As I had a toddler at the time in a buggy that was another consideration for us.

My eldest has just done the 11+ and the prep girls have been really supported through the process. I have heard on the local grapevine that St Dunstans is not necessarily the same and there is additional pressure on places now that Rosemead is part of the same group.

I think of all the girls who started with us in reception very few (if any) are looking to try to move to JAGS or Alleyns at 11+ which I think is quite a good indicator of how the school has been for our girls!