Guildford High for an 11year old

[giraffe8]

Hi I know there have been a few threads with discussions on GHS recently but have a few specific questions..
My DD is in year 6 and likes GHS, as do I and think it is an excellent school which will provide a lot of opputnities for her. Looking round we both fell in love with it and felt it had everything. It seemed friendly, a positive environment with fab facilities. It is private but doesn't have to over the top traditional public school feel, a more modern with-it feel- which we like.

She is academically good, lacks confidence but is a very determined and hard working girl. She likes swimming and some other sport although isn't really sporty, but loves art. She finds it reasonably easy to make friends and is a very typical 11 year old girl.
My main concern though is she has had quite a traumatic past in terms of our family situation and I want a school with good pastoral care where she will feel happy. All the girls at GHS seemed very happy and when we looked around the staff seemed approachable. Friends with DDs there say they've found any issues pastorally have been dealt with quickly and well. However it obviously gives off the powerhouse, academic reputation and I wonder if a school which markets itself on a nurturing,smaller environment would be better.
I am also worried about the repuation of GHS being pushy...DD works hard and is very self-motivated but doesn't deal well with pressure.
She has set herself on GHS and I can see her doing well there, but I do have worries as to if she will cope if GHS is pushy and not nurturing.

Hi I;m sure others will reply but my DDs are at GHS, you may have seen my other posts but I'd say if you are so keen on it, and your daughter is go for it.
The repuation that GHS is pushy is not reality. Its a unique atmosphere- in many ways the school is so laid back its practically horizontial in comparison to other schools, the pressure comes from the girls themselves its an academic atmosphere where girls work and want to do well, but the support is there, it suits my DDs who cope with the environment and are all now very self-motivated and have confidence in their abilities, this is really seen once they leave and go out into the real world. Issues are picked up and dealt with quickly and there is a huge sense of care and that girls are known by staff and senior management.

It's not perfect, it has the niggly things my DDs moan their heads off about but overall my DDs all love it, there is a sense of enjoyment and positive atmosphere and something a bit different about the school, my eldest is now at uni but misses it greatly from what her and her friends were like I'd say GHS grils and grounded, sensible but have a sense of fun and are very street-wise, you certainly don't get the prvate public school feel that they'e been brought up in too much of a bubble.

Ok i feel like I've just done a huge sales pitch- I get so fed up of people thinking its a scary academic powerhouse which push push pushes! Maybe someone less biased will post!!

Thank you, thats really nice to hear!
My friends DD is leaving for sixth form from GHS as she says shes fed up of the controlling of petty things and lack of acknowledgement and understanding of what teenage girls want. She is off to a boys school with a co-ed sixth form. I am guessing this feeling probably applies to most schools and a lot of 16 year olds at all-girls schools would be wanting a change and feel constrained by the rules at schools. Her mum says she's been really impressed with GHS to date and feels her DD has done fantastically there, just is ready for a new environment..
Any other opinions? Anything negative?!

My DD went to Tormead prep and is now at St Cat's. Both have a strong pastoral ethos; St Cat's surrounds the girls with a supportive network e.g. giving them a shadow to help with integration into the senior school, or house tutors who look after only 16 girls each so there is close attention to any issues arising. It makes for an extremely friendly and supportive environment and results in top academic achievement. However, if you're considering moving haven't you missed the boat as entrance exams have been done as I expect these schools are probably over-subscribed.

thanks kitty thats really interesting- DD doesn't have a place at St Cats just GHS, tormead, priors field and possibly george abbot/county wherever we get in..tomorrow we find out! Although our location is very tricky in terms of being on the edge of boundaries.
We didn't apply for St cats for worries we wouln't fit in as it appeared quite posh, and i would prefer a more 'modern' school, and friends told us its a bit love or hate, swim or sink although that sounds fantastic pastoral care.

We are certainly keaner on GHS than the state althoguh the state are excellent around here.

I was wondering Kitty out of interest, why did you move your DD from tormead for seniors? We have ruled out tormead, but have now heard there is a new head.

The new head at Tormead started this year. GHS has become more caring. Priorsfield can be lovely but have also heard of a lot of bitchyness. I prefer GA's pastoral side to County, but top sets get treated quite nicely at County.
If she wants GHS I'd probably go with that, making sure the school knows (and has on record) information about her past. If it all goes wrong you may well be able to transfer, there is movement to all the schools you mentioned (and Farnborough Hill, Manor House, St Theresea's).

In response to your message re why did we move DD from Tormead to St Cat's. A number of reasons: (1) we felt St Cat's offered better extra-curricular opportunities, particularly in music where the choices at St Cat?s are vast; also the fabulous new facilities are 2nd to none; (2) we found after school homework set-up limiting with staff leaving at 6pm on the dot making it challenging for working parents, at St Cat?s the girls can remain there and even have supper if needed; also flexi boarding a great asset. (3) jury was out with regard to head.

thanks mummytime and kitty again. yes, I heard St cats music is great and new sports hall looked incredible.
Mummy time- Yes, I've heard from friends that GHS has really improved pastorally in the last few years, apparently with change in staff and management.Thats good to hear about GA and county- with county does this mean if you arent top set your not treated nicely?!? I'm intregued...
I was thinking county over Geroge abbot due to size. How does their pastoral differ? I thought Gabbot would be a lot bigger, less pastoral care..

We are nervously waiting for tomorrow when we will hear if she has got GA or County- lots of her friends are off to these two so I think there is lots of talk at school about it all. DD was set on GHS but I know she will probably suddenly realise all of them are off to GA/county and want to go too! Although thats alright by me if shes desperate to go, a lot cheaper!!

Thanks anyway, lots of great info and good to hear GHS is generally well thought of pasotrally and (hopefully) not too pushy! Thats my worries dealt with...

I love GA, as it's sausage factory elements actually make sure pupils don't fall through the cracks. So every child sees an adult every term to discuss their grades, targets and to set their own targets. This is usually the form tutor, but can be heads of year or SENCo.
County is good at a family feel, and teachers do know more of their pupils. But they don't have such strong mechanisms to ensure no-one slips through the cracks. Also there seems to be less movement between sets (and set for maths, science and English, rather than individually). Also the SENCo at GA is amazing.

Basically County relies on being small and personal knowledge (with the draw backs if you get labeled). GA tries to overcome its size issues, but its size does mean that not everyone knows everything about you (so what happened in English won't necessarily be known by Maths). Also its big enough that everyone can find someone like them (even the real eccentrics).

I know I'm late to join but I went to GHS from 11 through to 18 and absolutely loved every single second of it.

When I was approaching my A Levels, my parents went through a VERY messy divorce which I was caught right in the middle of. My mum spoke to my head of year and all my teachers were very understanding. Pastoral care was always very good and I am desperate to send my children there!