Godstowe or Eagle House??

[qiuyifan2000]

We are relocating to Reading area as DH works there. We are looking for a school for DD to start Reception this September.

At the moment, we prefer Co-ed Secondary school but OK with either co-ed or Girls only at Junior level. But of course we never know which type (girls or co-ed) would DD choose when she grows to that age. We just assume it for now.

Godstowe currently has place in Reception class so DD can go all the way up until 13 smoothly. But it is a bit far aways from where DH works and he seems not like that.

Another concern is friendship. Godstowe does not feed into a particular secondary school and more girls go to girls only secondary later, which means if DD chooses to go to a co-ed secondary (which we prefer) she will almost have no friend going to the same school. In contrast, most pupils in Eagle House will progress to Wellington College, which means she is more likely to maintain her already established friendship.

But Eagle House is full at the moment, so we will have to find DD another school (currently thinking of Bearwood college) for now, and wait until a place becomes available in Eagle House and move her then. It is probably about 1-2 years wait? DH seems prefer this way as we can find a house close to both the school and his workplace easily, and Wellington College seems good enough to him.

So which path should we choose? Godstowe for best education for girls from Reception but accept the uncertainty of DD's future destination (plus DH's daily commute), or Eagle House for "secured" entry to Wellington College and ease of life?

Last concern: is Eagle House more posh comparing to Godstowe? Which school have more the super-rich? Which school has a more nurturing environment?

Any comments and advice will be very appreciated, especially from those having personal experience from either school!

PS: we are planning to have another child soon. So the unknown SEX of the second one is worth thinking too?

By the way, are there girls at Godstowe choose to leave the school because they cannot cope with the high standards? It is possible that many less able girls have already left the school before reaching common entrance age??

Hi Jane, did you suggest it would take about half an hour just to go pass the A404/M40 junction into HW in the morning??

Sorry if this is repeating what has already been said: Marlow to High Wycombe in itself is not too much of a chore - but to get Godstowe you'd have to cross the centre of Wycombe and that would be a killer. Yes it's a great school, but your dd would also want to go to tea \ have girls home for tea after school, attend extra curricular etc - it just seems so implausible - no matter how "good" the education is, it will be exhausting for your dd and she\you may well end up ostracised. If she can't make the most of what's on offer, is too tired\stressed from all the travel, she will not be very likely to be happy or achieve her potential. Marlow to Reading is also a nightmare at peak times. I would look more locally around the Reading area and not focus too heavily on the idea of schools being the best at this stage. What is best is what will suit your dd and where she will be happy and make friends - academic achievement will follow best from that. She already has a head start having a mother who is so clearly passionate about her education :-)

Lots of people do come from the Marlow area to Godstowe though. Also from further afield. They just get used to it I suppose. No, the less academic ones don't leave at 11 unless they want to. Mostly the leavers at 11 go to the grammar schools in Bucks and a few go to girls' boarding schools at 11 but never to Bucks secondary schools because they cannot get into anywhere else. Most years, not very many leave and there are additional resources for the less clever girls. Why would they need to leave before CE at 13 plus? Not all schools require CE anyway as they have their own entry tests and interviews.

I would buy a house around Reading and see what is available within reasonable driving distance. That way there is no tiredness or a lengthy drive to school.

We had our daughter at Godstowe but we have been overseas for the last few years and now are considering Eagle House due to many issues with bullying at Godstowe. Does anyone have any feedback on Eagle House?

Hi there - does anyone have children at either school (Eagle House or Godstowe) ? I'd like to get any insights you can provide on the academic side of things.... or any personal experiences (good or bad) at either school. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Please PM if you would like to ask any specific questions on Eagle House...