Which school would you pick for year 3?

[Shinestar83]

Hi everyone,
My older daughter done her 11+ this year and she will go to one of the GDST girls only school- which was her first choice so we are really happy for her. But I also have 6 years old daughter in year 2 right now, which done 7+ this year. She is so academic and well above average child. Her teacher said in last parents evening that she is so talented and gifted. She done 4 7+ exams and passed all of them. I would like to ask you to give me a idea which school would you pick if you were in my sitiation.

School 1.) State school which she is attending right now. Good Ofsted, friendly environment. She loves her friends, teacher and school but she always complaining about that she knows all the topic so she is repeating herself all the time, especially in maths. She sometimes doesnt want to go to school for that. School is 1 min walk away from our house. The reason we didnt want to wait until 11+ as I mentioned above I believe my daughter needs more challenge and also 11+ was really stressful for us when we experienced with our older daughter.

1. Independent GDST girls only school which my older daughter going to attend next year. It is not one of the best GDST girls only school but... We visited school really nice environment and facilities for girls. My daugther currently get dance, swimming, gymnastic leesons so i believe if she goes there she will improve her skills a lot because there are really nice after school clubs. I really liked the behaviours of the girls in that school too. In top 85-95 best schools list. And if we pick this school they will be together in same area - Senior and Junior is just 2-3 min drive away. And holidays, inset days will be same. School is 10 min drive from our home so we will drive to her is we choose that school.

1. Really good reputation really good results. Overall in top 40-50- in best schools list. This school was boys only since 2020 so recently became coed and we are unsure if they have good experience with girls education. And it is a Church school. The fee for this school is almost £3500-£4000 more per annum than GDST school and also if we choose that school she needs to go to school by coach which we will spend about £1500 for that per annum (she will get the coach around 7:50 amand come back home around 4:00pm so not too long journey). When we calculated in total we will spend £5000-6000 more if she goes to that school.

I will be pleased if you give me ideas which school I should choose for my daugther.

Many thanks

Presuming fees aren't a problem, School 2 sounds like your favourite.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves no definetly fees are not a problem at all. We can afford both.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves definitely we can afford School 3 fees but not sure if it is worth for recently coed school which students currently %90-95 boys, she needs to travel by coach, school is totally different direction then my older daughters school and it is Church School which I honestly do not know the difference.

I would go for school 2. It sounds perfect for you lovely DD.

@Bundlesofchocforme thank you so much for your comment 🙏🏻

Go for the GDST. Now she's gone through 7+ would seem mad not to get it over with now. So much easier to have them both together.

@cafedesreves thank you so much for your comment. Having them both in the same school has advantages ofcourse🙏🏻 School 3 is the best school in our area so some parents say dont loose the chance and enrol and in the other side some parents says dont move her from state (School 1) they independent is waste of money in primary stage. Meanwhile my daughter did really good in the School 3 7+exam and they inform me that she can repeat the 8+ assesment test next year without paying resgistration fee for the exam. Its tricky, difficult decision.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves @cafedesreves @Bundlesofchocformebe ı will be also happy if anyones had experience with using coach service for primary? Do you think it is doable? I wouldnt worry if she was in secondary but I think she is still small to manage it

School 2. Keep them together and it sounds like it would be a good fit for her.

Is GDST a good thing? I’ve not heard of it.

@EugeniaGrace thank you so much for your comment 🙏🏻

@SheWoreYellow
“The GDST is a family of independent schools and academies across England and Wales. As all girls’ schools, we deliver innovative learning for girls aged three to eighteen. From nursery, primary and prep school, throughout secondary school and Sixth Form, they learn in an environment where every girl thrives. We are proud that our schools are recognised for their excellence in teaching and pastoral care. At the 2021 TES Independent School awards – a ceremony recognising the best independent schools across the UK – several GDST schools won top prizes. Notting Hill & Ealing High School won ‘Senior School of the Year’, Norwich High School for Girls won ‘Wellbeing Initiative of the Year’ and Streatham & Clapham High School won ‘Student Initiative of the Year’. ”
I copied that from their website.

There are lots of GDST girls only school in SW, SE, central London and even outer London. They say their schools are all good quality for teaching for girls and also transfer from those school one to another is so easier so if we move somewhere else we will have option always.

If you feel she is bored and not being stretched in Yr 2 then I would move her. We did this with our son a few years ago and he is a different child, so much happier.
If you post the names of the specific schools I’m sure you’d get some good advice. However, based on what you’ve said, I’d go for school 2. The location would swing it for me - it will make for a calmer home environment plus easier to make local friends.

“even outer London” surely not!

Ok, thanks.

With School buses... my DDs used one to get to their State school for 2 years. DD1 was 6-8yo, DD2 was 4-6yo. They had fun and enjoyed it, and it did help make friendships with other year groups. It also helped them become organised as they had to remember to hand things in and bring things home, no parent to remind them at the gate or do it for them.
But as parents we were really disconnected with the school.
It was ok, but I honestly wouldn't chose School buses if there was an alternative.

@SheWoreYellow but I must say when we compare school rating and results of SCHOOL 3 is much better than SCHOOL 2. But one of my friend is head teacher she told me it is because of SCHOOL 3 starts from age 7 and SCHOOL 2 is from age 3. It is harder to make assessment for age 3s, so SCHOOL 3 selects academic kids in 7+ exams so thats effects the ratings. Of course education and environment has vital role in students exam results but some kids are dont like maths, english, science etc, only loves and enjoys sport, art etc which is so normal each child is different and unique in their own way. But when it comes to ratings schools need to do well in overall in english, maths, science etc.

@Shinestar83 what are schools 2 and 3? I might know them

Other than rating, are there any other positives of 3 over 2? It's further, more expensive and no sibling there - all sound like downsides to me, which massively outweigh some results - which you've identified are simply due to selecting very able children.

I’d say school 2 just for the ease of holidays etc. I’m sure she’ll get great results anywhere if studying comes naturally and she enjoys it.

@Solidaritea SCHOOL 3 just higher in ratings and prestigious. I dont even like the area where school is, no train station or buses close to it. SCHOOL 2 is just next to the train station, more than 10 bus choices and better area. Transport is important for us because we travel by train to work. SCHOOL 2 is 1 stop by train (2mins). But SCHOOL 3 is very selective and popular in our area so that some parents says I shoudnt miss the chance if she can not get in 11+ I will be disappointed. Thank you so much for the comment btw

@FiloPasty thank you for the comment 🙏🏻

@cafedesreves so many friends and family in here I dont want them to make comment and confuse me anymore😂 but you can guess as are not do many independent school that became coed recently:);)

I think school 2 would be the best fit for your family. If you go for school 3 would you not take your younger daughter by car and ask your older daughter to take the bus? Which one would your daughter like to attend?

If it's in SE London, then I'd definitely go for school 2 having heard stories from former teachers there.

As in from former teachers at school 3.