Nonsuch feedback from current parents please!

[NickyBee]

I was wondering if there are any parents of current Nonsuch Highschool for girls students who can give me some feedback, I would much appreciate it.
Especially:
-Would you say the girls have fun in school? Or is it pretty serious and studious?
-What is the sports like and are many girls involved?
-What is the music like?

I read (mostly) very positive things in previous posts, a few years ago, but would love to hear from current parents!

Thanks very much in advance!

DD very happy there - nice friends - lots of laughter. She’s not sporty or musical but my understanding is the offer is very good for both although quite high standard for both so depends what level you are coming in at. Lots of sports clubs for non team members too though.

As a parent I think the broad curriculum and clubs are a fantastic element of the school and the girls are strongly encouraged to engage in leadership and extracurriculars. Creative and technical subjects seem to be well taught and valued and the languages offer is excellent.

I would also say the pastoral support is excellent and very responsive and light touch.

The girls do however I think put pressure on themselves to perform highly academically so there is pressure because they are all bright and hard working - but my guess is that would be true in any London grammar.

They don’t get homework in the holidays and have several inset or short days every term that give a bit of a break and also have a fab week in the summer term where they do off curriculum activities, sports, trips, team building etc that I think is great.

Have a DD in a different school and this experience has been a world apart. If your DD is the sort that likes to learn and is bright and inquisitive I think it would be a good fit.

Not a current parent but as DD only left last year I'd have thought our experience pretty relevant.

DD had fun but was also very studious. I'd say it's an excellent school for someone who is bright and hard-working but that doesn't mean they have to be working hard all the time, but equally can't be having fun all the time.

There's lots of extra curricular stuff. DD got involved in lots of musical things and there's something for everyone (eg flute choir, jazz band, symphony orchestra, African drumming, Vox Celestes, party band, Indian Ensemble). The standard is generally excellent, although junior choir and junior orchestra are more aimed at relative beginners so standard isn't as high, but means more can get involved which is a good thing. They also managed to get DD an A* in her music GCSE so standard of music teaching must be OK. Also lots of peripatetic teachers come in for individual lessons.

DD not sporty but lots of her friends were and seemed to be able to do a different sport every day, some more for fun, some pretty serious with lots of competitions and leagues.

Sorry I’m a bit late responding to your post. My daughter left Nonsuch 2 years ago and I would be happy to provide feedback if you are interested. Please do PM me.

My daughter really didn’t enjoy her time at Nonsuch and found it a very pressured environment with very little pastoral support. She would tell anyone who would listen not to send their daughter to Nonsuch. The school always seemed much more focussed on their results, league table standings and reputation than the girls’ well-being.

My daughter is bright, but dyslexic and they didn’t understand her needs at all. She actually ended up with an excellent uni place, but because of her own grit and determination and in spite of the school, rather than because of it.