We're thinking about starting our daughter in one of the above schools as a day pupil from Y9, with her younger sister to follow from either Y9 or Y7. DD1 is academically able - top sets at her state secondary but not a mega high flyer. Her younger sister is more middle of the road - meeting expectations at her state primary but she has a dyslexia diagnosis so needs some additional support. DD1's passion is sport - she is talented and enthusiastic (athletics, hockey, cricket are her main sports) and we may try for a sports scholarship for her. DD2 enjoys sport too but is not as competitive and her main interests outside school are drama and dance.
We want a school that they will both enjoy, that will bring the best out of them academically without hot housing or making them miserable, that allows them both to pursue their existing interests and encourage them to try new ones, and that has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with minimal parental snobbery. Both girls are sociable and good at making friends with children from a wide range of backgrounds. We are not a religious family but don't mind a school with a religious ethos.
We've shortlisted these three schools based primarily on distance as we want them to be at a school within 30 minutes of home. We have some limited experience of them through friendships with other parents/ visiting for sports fixtures, but I'd be very grateful for any insights from current parents bearing in mind the criteria above. We will be looking round them all too of course!