Alleyns / JAGS/ or Sydenham GDST. Which school to choose?

[tinatea]

We need do make a decision about where to send our Daughter for September 2023.

Was hoping we didn’t have to choose like this as it’s very difficult but essentially every school we’ve applied to, we now have an offer. This includes Alleyns, JAGS, Sydenham Gdst, DUCKS, Rosemead etc.

We think it will come to 3 choices. Alleyns, JAGS or Sydenham as they go all the way through and we avoid the 7+.

Our daughter is very creative and so want a school which nourishes her creativeness.

Also important to us is the pastoral care of the school. We need our daughter to feel supported and heard.
Also after opinions on (Classic question) co-ed versus single sex school? Never really thought about it until now.

Looking for parents who attend these schools or others who have an opinion. Is your child happy and thriving? Did you feel you made the right decision?

Thanks!

We chose Alleyns in the end.

It's hard to know which is correct until we get in the door in September.

We've decided that we will review our choices again at 7+ and 11+,
as it's hard to tell if the school will still suit our daughter in several years time.
Kids change and schools change too.

Still I'm always happy to hear your opinion if you have one? Of course I'm happy with my choice for now but maybe it helps someone else later.

If you'd rather pm me please do! 🫣

“We've decided that we will review our choices again at 7+ and 11+”

Hmm, OP. Please don’t review at 7+. She has done so well to get into a competitive school. Always focus your energy on your DC and their talents not the getting into a school process which is consuming for all of you. By all means, if you want to do grammar at 11 plus (to save money) or St Paul’s girls school go for it (if she ends up a totally confident highly talented alpha female), but it won’t be worth moving to JAGS at 11 plus. The difference isn’t significant enough.

No school is perfect, not state not private - teachers tend to differ and you can never control peer group entirely. It is what you make of it. Support your child’s school fully and own your choice. Then your child will thrive.

@Aleaiactaest THANK YOU!

I actually needed to wake the hell up and hear these words.
I've been so thrown by 1st world Indecision that actually indeed it's what I make of it for my daughter. 😊
Ultimately she will be fine and she has done very well already.

That is great @tinatea - I have been there and done that too. One can get very caught up in the Angst/indecision of it all, especially when the child is intelligent and has multiple options. And there is always the time pressure/deadline that looms.
I have been through 4 lots of 11 plus with my own 4DC and 3 lots of the most competitive private schools ever with their 3 cousins… (their family live abroad with important diplomatic jobs so the headache was delegated to me - the joys!!!).

Children are little for such a short time, every day is precious.