Views on these private schools

[IDontMind]

We are looking at both state and private schools. Eldest daughter going into Year 5 at her state primary school so we have a good amount of time to get this right. However, does anyone have any up-to-date experience of the following private schools: Wimbledon High; Queens College (Harley St); Emanuel (Clapham Junction); Francis Holland (Sloane Sq); and City of London Girls (Barbican). I don't want a hothouse environment - there is more to life than academic achievement but I obviously want my daughters to reach their natural potential.

No idea sorry but I think you're totally right to avoid a hothouse. That sort of atmosphere doesn't work well with teen girls imo. If you don't get any replies to this though try reposting with the names of the schools in the thread title - that may jump out at people and you'll get more response.

Hi, two comments:

1. These schools are very far apart - are you thinking of moving once you have found the right school? Otherwise a hell of commute from South London to Queens and CLSG.

If yes, other good schools to consider: Francis Holland (Clarence Gate, know people there, have heard very good things about it), South Hampstead High (quite pushy), Channing (much more academic than, say, Queens, but less so than CLSG), JAGS (in Dulwich, fairly academic, good reputation).

1. CLSG very much a hothouse - great for confident, very bright and hard-working girls, pretty tough for everyone else.

Don't know about the others - am in North London myself.

HTH!

Don't know any of these schools personally, but I do live near Francis Holland. The only thing I would say is that speaking from experience of other central London schools, you should bear in mind that they will probably have v.little outside space which means that sports may be either limited or they may waste a lot of time getting shunted back and forth to sports grounds. The lack of outside space can also make recreation time quite hard for those who need a bit of "quiet" time when there is nowhere to get away from it all! Hope that helps

Am I right in thinking that you live somewhere around Waterloo/Vauxhall? If so all of the schools you have mentioned should be a fairly easy journey by either bus or train.

Similarly Dulwich schools are reachable by the school bus, and as long as you can get to the District Line, Hammersmith Schools are a possibility. (St Pauls Girls School is actually a short walk from Olympia, which you can get to by train from Clapham Junction.)

So nothing very local but a huge range within 30-40 minutes.

First and foremost it depends on your daughter. If she would thrive in a very academic environment, then City might work. The Headmistress is very impressive and there is a real sense of purpose. But it is very urban. I personally liked Wimbledon and Emanuel seeing them as straightforward schools for rounded kids, offering sound education to a reasonably wide ability range, including some very able children. One is mixed, one is not, and both are slightly cheaper than the norm.

Francis Holland probably caters for a similar ability range but is more Sloaney. (It is in Sloane Sq!) We know some lovely girls who love it there, but probably not for a sporty tomboy.

I think Queens College might be considered equally Sloaney, but has a reputation for being less academic. If you are looking for something smaller and gentler, there are a number of other schools: Queensgate, More House, St James' which might also fit the bill.

One big factor for us was where the other kids lived. Most kids at CLGS will come from North London. We liked the fact that the majority of Emanuel students come from within a two mile radius of the school, most from Wandsworth's good state primaries. One thing we liked about Wimbledon was that we thought it would be a safe and nice place for a teenager to meet up with friends. If you choose Dulwich be prepared for trips to places like Sydenham to pick up your child, similarly Hammersmith Schools pick up lot of children living in Ealing, Kew and Richmond.

To be honest there is little substitute for flogging round the schools to get your own feel. The ones you name are very very different.