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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Has anyone got daughters at Watford Grammar School for Girls or Henrietta Barnett?

51 replies

FiveHoursSleep · 29/01/2012 09:29

Or does anyone have daughters that will be sitting the exams this year?
We have a year 5 girl who is being tutored and we will apply for a music place for WGSG as well. DD has her heart set on HB for some reason but I'm wondering if it's going to be tricky to get her there.
We have two good local schools to fall back on if DD isn't successful so I'm not too bothered but DH went to a Grammar School and would prefer her to go to a Selective school.
Private schooling isn't really an option, we could just about afford it but it would make an enormous impact on our life style as we have 4 kids.

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nirmithayaparan · 03/03/2018 23:18

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corinnej123 · 13/12/2013 21:10

What is the name of the state primary school your daughter went to?

FiveHoursSleep · 13/03/2013 19:53

It was me that was shocked ( in a good way) that they called me. I hadn't included my phone number or my daughters name and I assumed they must be very busy.
I also have a very happy year 5 dd but we are still tutoring and making her sit the exam mean mummy alert

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curious100 · 13/03/2013 14:41

They dont meet until July - thats right.

Braedandbutterfly - if you emailed the school, why were you shocked they called you back?

So far am very happy the way they have handled paperwork etc.

BandB and FHS - If you are keen to meet up perhaps send an internal email to me via website and i can fwd my contact number? That wld be lovely.

breadandbutterfly · 05/03/2013 22:59

I'll check but think it's a cheese and wine do which is not very kiddy friendly! Think they don't meet till July.

FiveHoursSleep · 05/03/2013 18:29

Yes, the primary school is pretty academic but that's out of 90 kids, so around 45 girls. About 20 sat the exam. DD isn't particularly friendly with any of them but we are in the outer catchment area, which means a bit of a commute, so they can travel in as a herd!
Do we not bring the kids to the April meeting then. I've just glanced at all the paper work and hidden it for another day!

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breadandbutterfly · 05/03/2013 18:08

Love to meet up - curious, my older dd's best friend is at Habs and loves it too; both great schools in different ways. I agree the money is a factor - plus if your dd has younger siblings, not having to go through the exam stress again is a factor. Plus WGGS has a more 'local' feel,due to the catchment areas and sibling places. There are certainly a mix of pupils from different backgrounds at WGGS - some from state schools, some from independents, just as some clearly v well off and others v poor. Like real life. One of the things I like about it.

My dd is impatient to meet future classmates - we get to meet other mums/dads in April,but girls have to wait till July to meet each other formally, so I know she'd love to meet...:)

FiveHoursSleep - wow, your dd's school must be a v good one. 8 pupils in one year! is that out of 30 pupils or 60? Still v good, assuming that half the year are boys, too... The school has a policy of splitting up primary classes, so that none of your dd's friends will have more than one or two from their primary in their class. I like this - makes it easier for dds who are the only one from their school to settle in.

FiveHoursSleep · 05/03/2013 13:58

Yes, I think my DD is quite keen even though there are 8 girls going from her school! That's almost 1/3 of the out of area intake!
Curious, ours go to a state school- where did yours come from? I don't think you are mad at all. Unless you have money to burn, it seems a very good decision.
BTW i emailed the school today about a couple of little things and they must have looked up my email and hoicked out my details because they rang me back 5 minutes later.
I was in shock. They were absolutely lovely though and sorted out both my concerns then and there.

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curious100 · 05/03/2013 10:59

Hello Fivehourssleep & breadandbutterfly - my daughter would love to know someone at WGSG before starting if you are keen?

curious100 · 05/03/2013 10:55

Does anyone have a daughter going from an independent school into Watford Grammar School for Girls this year? She got into Habs and NLCS but we selected WGSG. Everyone thinks we are mad. Anyone in a similar position?

breadandbutterfly · 01/03/2013 22:20

My dd has got her sibling place but knows noone from her school. But can't wait to go - v excited!

Happy to meet up - aways nice to know a few more before starting...

FiveHoursSleep · 01/03/2013 21:28

Thank you, I will do. She's a bit upset because she doesn't know anyone who is going yet but there will be some others from her school, I'm sure.

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breadandbutterfly · 01/03/2013 19:14

Congratulations!!

Still waiting on Herts system - name near the end of alphabet - though unless I filled the form in wrong I should be put out of my misery soon... blessed sibling places...

If your dd wants to meet a friend before starting, PM me!

FiveHoursSleep · 01/03/2013 17:51

Yay- DD got a place. Anyone else?

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FiveHoursSleep · 01/11/2012 18:37

That would be great. Trying not to be too hopeful...

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breadandbutterfly · 01/11/2012 16:39

Good luck! My dd2 is starting in sept so maybe they can meet...

FiveHoursSleep · 31/10/2012 22:25

Thanks for replying Breadandbutter, I was hoping you might.
We put WGSG down for our first choice in the end and hope DD's got a decent chance of a place. I can see her really enjoying the school and it had a lovely feeling about it. I do wonder how much longer the Head will stay for though.
I did wonder if we'd done her a disservice not even allowing her to try for HBS, or even going to look at the school, but we figured it was just too far away even though there is a coach from Harrow OTH.
4 months of waiting to find out starts tomorrow...

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breadandbutterfly · 31/10/2012 20:11

And blisterpack - glad you liked the girls at Open Day as one of them was mine.:)

breadandbutterfly · 31/10/2012 20:09

Sorry - just seen this thread again!

To those I failed to answer - blisterpack - no, the girls are make-up free and smartly dressed always - as Stiffybyng says, it is obvious on buses etc and was one of the things that attracted me to the school..

FiveHoursSleep - no, not all girls are bright and driven and quirks are fine. Re dreaming - that's fine as long as they do remember to do their homework - my dd is definitely one who likes to follow her own star but school keeps her on her toes and ensures she keeps up with work she needs to do. But there is such a wide variety of subjects and options that most can find a space. I liked the girls i saw at a school concert this year who were quite nerdy looking but glowing with happiness - in another school, they might have been picked on but here they had found a niche. :)

Stiffybyng · 31/10/2012 19:37

Reading this thread with interest as I am a WGGS old girl. Most of my memories are completely irrelevant as it was a comprehensive in my day, but:

Same headteacher, and she is lovely. She was very kind to me when I felt rather isolated in my first year.

The results in my day were fantastic and it was completely non-selective back then. So I think the school definitely drives results, rather than it being parents pushing things along.

As a former lukewarm sixth form drama club leader I'm amused to see that system still goes on. But some of my peers were much better than me, and it's an attempt to get sixth formers really taking responsibility,

In general, we were very well policed on uniform etc. In my day there were a few renegades, possibly girls who wouldn't get in nowadays, but they were very much in the minority. The contrast on buses between the WGGS contingent and those from other schools was always very stark.

blisterpack · 12/10/2012 17:47

Yes Five, I'll keep you updated. Breadandbutterfly may I ask a question? When I went to the WGGS open day the schoolgirls were lovely. There were quite a few girls in trousers, no mini skirts and not a single made up face. Quite a contrast to a high school near us. Is this just because it was open day?

FiveHoursSleep · 12/10/2012 14:39

BreadandButterfly You have a DD at WGSG don't you?
I'm just wondering how they would cope with a child that was a bit different? DD1 is very academic, willing to please, top sets etc, etc but DD2 (year 5 this year) is a bit of a dreamer. She's very bright and able when she puts her mind to it, but also a bit lazy and always has her head in a book.
I was wondering if everyone at WGSG has to be driven and responsive or are there some kids with 'quirks'?

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breadandbutterfly · 12/10/2012 12:49

Good luck to you both! 10 marks off outer score area is not that far off full marks so sure that should be fine...

If anything, scores may go down this year as siblings (who tend to also be quite bright)~ of boys at WGSB no longer need to do the exam. Then again, the fact that you can do the exam and then see how it goes may mean more kids do the exam and then find out they actually did better than expected and so apply when previously they might not have risked it as only had 3 choices on the application form.

FiveHoursSleep · 12/10/2012 11:53

I have 4 altogether, so it would be a huge relief if DD1 got in. Especially if the cross sibling thing continued! I might see you back on this thread in March then?

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blisterpack · 12/10/2012 10:42

Yes I do. Hopefully we won't have to go through this again then!

I don't know if there are more of us, I haven't seen much talk about WGGS, Parmiter's etc.

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