Brighton & Hove High School for Girls (GDST) or Towers Convent?

[redshoes]

Anyone got any info on either of the above? Literally torn, BHHS has broader curriculum and better gcse results (but is more selective to start with) whilst the Towers seems to have a lovely atmosphere and more relaxed-looking girls....anyone???

For me it would depend on a few factors - where do you live? If you are near to B&H then that would be a plus point in its favour as it's lovely to have friends nearby/ short school run/playdates etc. All things being equal, I'd probably go for the Towers as from what I hear I think you are spot on about the atmosphere...I know a few girls that went there many years ago so may not be relevant but they loved it and I considered it for my dd when she's older but opted for Windlesham in the meantime. I know girls at B&H and most love it and a few not so much but that's the same with most schools I should imagine.

Yes live quite close to B&H and the friends being close thing is a factor, also the independent travel as she gets older. There are a couple of minibuses to the Towers though that pass very close to where we live so in the normal run of things she could get that. People keep telling me mixed stories of B&H whereas everyone is positive about the Towers. It felt wonderful when we visited. B&H so rock-solid on results and curriculum though - Latin, French plus German or Spanish from Y7. Towers only do French in Y7/Y8 then Spanish in Y9. No Latin. God this is difficult!

Hi

My DD started at BHHS last September -
I cannot speak highly enough about it as a school - DD knew no one when she started and now has a close group of girls as friends .. DD has medical needs and school have gone totally out of their way to support her .. Happy to tell you anything you wnat to know and if you are local we could meet for a coffee and you could chat to DD if it helps ...
Anyway mail me if you like - [email protected]

thanks so much will mail now

Hi
Have just found the mumsnet site and the messages which have been great - and am hoping some of you can help and advise us.

We currently live in Manchester but are planning to move to Brighton - but are agonising over changing my daughters school - as she is really not happy about the idea of moving and leaving all her friends! She?s 12, currently in year 8. We have applied to B & H for Girls - we hadn't heard about The Towers until now. We are waiting the results and would really like to try and start finding friends for my daughter when we come and also to find out about good schools in the area.

Would be great to hear from mum's with daughters going to school in Brighton!

I live v near Towers, tho my dd isnt there as we lived in Hove before, have heard excellent things about it,sport is good too. Have many friends at the High School, very mixed reports, depends on your child. Have heard junior and senior vary a lot. Not very sporty.

Thanks for that - do you know any girls or mums of girls in the senior school? My daughter is obviously anxious about moving schools and is worried about making new friends so we want to try and meet people over summer - the high school would be close to where we are going to live so it would make sense to go there...

not now i'm afraid, i know year 4 and 5 there,mu daughter is in yr 11 but to be honest her friends that were at senior school left to go to Brighton, Lancing,Burgess Hill or Hurst where dd is. sorry i can't be more helpful

Thanks - why did your daughter leave? to go to 6th form? Or because you were not happy with the school? We are going on Thursday for an interview, hopefully the Head can put us in touch with other girls. The other thing is of course settling her into a new place to live - what's it like living in Brighton for young people? I love it but she is just quite resentful at the moment and can't see anything positive about coming!

Hi
I know loads of mums whose daughters are at or joining BHHS this year.
It is a very popular school and the private primary where my daughter currently attends also sends many girls to Year 7 from there.
All the girls I know are happy and confident and my daughter will hopefully be going there in a couple of years. If you are after a single sex affordable day school then its a great choice and the new Head is very dynamic. Brighton is a great place to live I grew up here and have lived here all my life. Its very young and vibrant and not too far from London which is a plus. x

That's good to know - thanks - I'll pass on your message. If you know of any older girls mums' who would be willing to share their email and/or meet for a coffee sometime that would be great. Thanks again x

sorry, no I didn't make that clear, dd was never at Bhhs, always at Hurst, some of her friends were tho.

Hi
Once you know you are definitely going pm your details. I have two friends with girls in Yr8 so hopefully they might be able to arrange something..x

I have DD about to start yr 9 at BHHS. We moved to brighton last year and she settled in the school pretty quickly and has good set of friends. Would be happy to meet if you're still interested.

The Towers every time - the girls leave with such confidence not arrogance and the opportunities they are offered in addition to the curriculum are amazing. But look at their results too - best in county. One very happy mummy, here!

Another family hoping to relocate to Brighton .... If we can sell the wretched house (6 months and one sale fallen thro' so far...). Looking for experiences of 'gifted and talented' - especially girls - in Brighton indie schools. Dd no Einstein but needs challenging and extended work, especially Maths. Got v v v bored in state school, currently at fab indie pre-prep. Looking at Brighton and Hove High... Can't really afford long term at Brighton College. Ideas, opinions and suggestions welcome. Thank you!