Schools SW London (WHS SAHS PHS SHS)

[buanostella]

Hello, hope everyone are keeping well, wonder if you can help an indecisive mum who is new to mm?? We r relocating to London, we narrowed down our search down to three areas, NW St Albans around herts, SW Surrey/Croydon, Kingston/Richmond. DDs r in their primary, we were planning to visit a couple of schools in jan, but our trip didn't happen obviously with all these pandemic stress everywhere. Right now, we r stuck outside the country, relying on school websites and league tables, would really appreciate everyone's comments.

So far, we have looked at SAHS, PHS, WHS, SHS(Surbiton high), CHS, and also St Helens (Northwood). TBH, we are hoping to go for an all through school with a good all round balanced on strong academics (not the pushy type) and nurturing pastoral care. Love SAHS/WHS/PHS, have heard good comments about these them. Heard mixed comments about the other three... each seems to have different things to offer, so would love to hear more info, insights that cannot be found on their website.

Lastly, feel free to throw in suggestions. Thanks heaps!! Stay well, stay safe during the lockdown!!

Hello OP, I can help with the Surrey/Richmond schools. How old are your dd's? They may have to sit an entrance exam to get a place so your decision may be driven by that. Also read the SW London girls thread for year 7 entry in Sept 2020 in Secondary Education section which started last Autumn until this March which follows many families sitting SHS/PHS/WHS - in the end the decision comes down getting an offer and distance of journey. Do be aware that there is lots of movement in these schools, not all dd in the preps go to the secondary link schools and not all in the secondary stay for the 6th form for a large number of reasons.
You might want to also consider LEH in Hampton although they don't have many places in Years 4-6. Finally you will be probably driven by house prices and transport links in the end. Best of luck with your search.

Hello.

Do your homework carefully. How old are your daughters now? My first bit of advice is to actually go to visit the schools and make notes as well. Observe a actual lesson in progress too. Find out as much as possible. Good luck to you. Again start with the school website as you will find a lot of useful handy information on there that might help you decide.
I also recommend talking with other parents, looking at the website and then briefly reading a copy of the latest inspection report. When the schools re open, make a appointment to tour the school with both daughters in tow. Have you spoken with the head or not? They should tell you a bit more about the school. Make a short non exhaustive list of questions to ask the head etc.
That way you can get a lot more information. If possible, try to get hold of a school prospectus and also do not forget to look at any curriculum booklets that are available on the site. Additionally it is a really good idea to subscribe to a school newsletter or visit the Facebook account or Twitter page for any updates or important bits of news. I hope that this is useful!

St Albans Girls High is worth a look. Their prep is on a separate site and whilst academic has good pastoral. They have recently changed their admissions criteria and girls at the prep are now guaranteed a place at the secondary school. I wasn’t such a big fan of the secondary though - it’s full of VERY clever girls and is quite a hard place to be if you can’t keep up. Some girls do leave at 11 though.

Berkhamsted is also worth a look. Has a very London feel to it. Co-Ed to 11, single sex to 16 and back to co-Ed for sixth form. Gets great results and has amazing extra curricular although people are asked to leave if they are not making the grade. It is probably unfairly known as the backup school for the Bucks 11+ and the ultra academic North London schools (NLCS, Habs, Merchant Taylor’s).

Royal Masonic in Rickmansworth also has a great reputation with amazing facilities but is again seen as a backup school.

If your main concern is the pastoral then don’t discount Abbots Hill. Only goes to 16 though.

I am guessing you want an all through school as either your children are approaching the end of their primary years or you want to avoid the 11+. The 11+ for independent schools outside London is actually not even half as bad as inside. You don’t need to sit for millions of schools, two or three will do, and most children get offers from all.

I do, however, hate the term backup school. These schools all offer something that’s unique to them. So many people discount them as “second rate” as they don’t get as good results. These schools are operating in areas where the very brightest are going to Grammar or the super academic schools. They do exceptionally well in terms of results in relation to their intake.

DD will be starting at a “backup” school in September - we are turning down a grammar place, an academic scholarship at one independent and a place at a super selective independent to go there. Her face just lit up as soon as we got there and she said it felt like home. I know she will do exceptionally well there as she will be happy.

I know it’s impossible at present but do try and visit before making a decision. Some schools we expected to love we hated and vice versus. Good luck!!!!

Singingrain1223,

Hi there!! Thanks for your reply!! DDs will start Yr 3 and 5 in Sept. We understand and are aware of the fact that all candidates must go thru entrance tests and interviews only if vacancies are available. A lot of popular / competitive schools are over subscribed, ie LEH, it was actually the first school we approached, likely with many from our list too I would imagine. We have heard mixed comments on Croydon High or Surbiton High, so we r interested to find out more. Really wish we could pay a visit, I'm sure that would be the most helpful thing to get to know a school. Will definitely look for the threads u have recommended!!! Thx v much!!

Dyscalculicgal 96,

Thank you very much for all the points you have highlighted, these are all useful advices, am sure they will be particularly helpful when it gets nearer to the time when we are able to arrange school visits. At the mo, getting in touch with schools seems rather tricky. I do wish we are able to visit the schools with DDs once the situation becomes clearer. Thx for your comments!

Hi Zodlebud,

Thanks for your reply, will definitely look at the schools you have suggested. Your guess is very accurate, we r not too keen on going thru 11+ etc... Right now, we have just started looking at different schools, we are still a long way away from making final decisions. I'm sure school visits would enable us to get a much better understanding. I agree with you, it is important for a child to go for a place they feel happy with. Great to know that your DD will start somewhere she loves.

OP, Surbiton High is a good school & has an excellent open day. It's sporty too but not so much in the Prep, it's quite hard to get a Year 5/6 place at SHS, like PHS and WHS, it's dependent on someone leaving and then beating the other candidates taking the test to take their place.

Also, if you are wanting Year 3 for this Sept, the exams have been and places been offered for SHS, WHS and PHS. What is your time scale?

Singingrain1223,

We are waiting to hear from the schools if any occasional vacancies arise. It really isn't the best time to apply at the moment. Keeping our fingers crossed, hoping epidemic will end soon, trust that everything will become more apparent by then.

Thats really good to know SHS is a sporty school, girls love sports!!! Personally we prefer to stay near Kingston / Croydon, are there any other schools you might recommend us to look at?

OP, personally I would look at a couple of prep schools, although it will mean your dd moving again they are often wonderful environments and the head will guide you towards the right secondary school for your dd rather than taking a space available. I would contact Holy Cross in Kingston and Rowan Prep in Claygate, they will be far more welcoming and accommodating than the all through schools, ie Individual tour, immediate information re places. Another mixed option is The Study in New Malden. If you look at the destination schools on their websites it will give you an idea of where they send dc to.

Singingrain1223,

Thanks for your reply! That's true! We dived straight into all thru schools but haven't really thought of starting off so prep school like you have suggested. Will certainly browse round this option!! Thank u singingrain1223!!

OP, thanks. Rowan in Claygate is a really special school and I would contact them at least to find out if they have spaces. Hopefully all the Registrars will all be working remotely from next Monday.

Singingrain1223,

Is DD currently studying Rowan in Claygate? Or did u know someone there? In what sort of way did you find the school special? would love to hear your opinions.

OP, I have sent you a PM, (you may need a laptop to read it).

What about some other GDST schools? They are all-through. Sutton High School is all through and in between Croydon and Surbiton, Sydenham High School is nearer Croydon etc. Ewell Castle is also all through (mixed school) and in the same area.

Corblimbea,

Thank u for your reply!! I will look into the schools on GDST website, and Ewell Castle as well, DDs are in a mixed school at the moment, think we are fine with either mixed or girls only.